Page 43 of King of Pain

Jen grabs Lexi by the hand and leads us toward the seats. When we reach our row, she points to Lexi and says, “You’re sitting next to me.”

I shoot Lexi an apologetic look as Jen plants herself firmly between us. She waves me off with a grin, clearly amused and starts talking to Jen about her shoes or some shit.

It’s then that I notice something very, very off about this situation, and I interrupt.

“Uh, Jen?”

“Yes, sweet, dear, darling Chance?” she replies, batting her lashes dramatically.

“That will get you nowhere with me, and you know it,” I remind her. “But seriously, where are your and Lexi’s jerseys? Not that I’m not appreciative, but when I opened the box and saw mine, I figured at leastyouwould be wearing one too.”

“Oh. Yeah, no,” she says with a shrug, the little asshole, and turns back to talk to Lexi.

“Wait a minute. Jen, I can’t be the only one wearing his jersey.”

“Yeah, you can,” she says, staring at me like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“At least let me go buy you guys some generic jerseys from the vendor stands,” I offer, already half-turning to leave.

“You can waste your money if you want, but we won’t be putting them on, right, Lexi?” Jen asks, leaning into her new best friend.

“That’s right. I’m good here,” Lexi says with a smirk. “How are people supposed to see this incredible rack if it’s covered in a baggy jersey?” she adds, gesturing proudly at her chest.

“Seriously, Sullivan, that would basically be a crime against humanity. It’s a great rack!” Jen proclaims with dramatic flourish. “Besides, it’ll ruin the desired effect if we’reallwearing them,” she finishes with a wink.

“Whatever. You’re both dead to me,” I grumble, but deep down, that little part of me—the one that secretly loves the idea of being possessed, of wearing his name on my back like a brand—grows just a little stronger.

The game starts with a burst of energy, the players taking the field to roaring cheers. Ant is easy to spot, his number 22 shining under the stadium lights. My chest does that thing again at the sight of him, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

“Not bad, huh?” Jen leans over, her voice cutting through the noise.

“What?” I ask, glancing at her.

“Your boy,” she says, nodding toward the field. “That ass in that uniform.”

I shake my head. “He’s not my—”

“Relax,” she says, smirking. “I’m just saying. Football pants. Am I right or am I right?”

Believe me, I am overly aware of that ass in those pants.

We watch in silence for a while, the tension on the field mirrored by the energy in the stands. Ant moves with precision, every step and catch calculated. He’s so fucking sexy, I can barely sit still in this seat.

“You know,” Jen says as the second quarter gets underway, “I have a black belt in gaydar.”

“We already had the whole coming-out moment, Jen,” I reply, laughing.

“I’m not talking about you,” she says, nodding toward the field. “I’m saying this not just because of the way you look at him, Chance, but because I know him. I haven’t drawn it out of him yet because it’s different with him, you know? With you, I knew I could be bold and just ask. With him, it’s not so straightforward. It’s not as simple as ‘hey, do you like boys or girls?’ I think he’s buriedanysense of sexuality altogether. I used to think maybe he could be asexual or demi, but I don’t think that anymore.”

“I don’t—”

“Let me finish,” she cuts in, holding up a hand. “Like I said, my gaydar is unmatched, and I always suspected, but he’s never shown interest in anyone who’s come into the shop. Ever. So, I couldn’t prove my suspicions. Thenyouwaltzed through the door and suddenly, he’s opening up like this big, beautiful, gay flower. His energy is shifting, and for the first time, he’s showing signs of actually having sexual interest in someone.”

She turns to me, her expression soft but earnest. “My point, Chance, is that if you’re as into him as your eyes keep giving away, I hope you’ll keep chipping away at those walls.”

Her words hit their mark, and honestly, I’m not sure how to respond, except with the truth.

“Between us, strictly?” I finally say.