Page 110 of Lessons in Chemistry

“We could cuddle in every room. I have a big sofa.”

“I’d like to come to yours one day.” I tickle Casey. “But we’d have to find a time that fits around your swimming schedule.”

He squirms and laughs as I tickle him, which does nothing to deflate my erection.

“How about tomorrow?” Auggie suggests.

“Casey has to get up early on Friday mornings.”

“Are there any mornings you don’t have to get up early?” Auggie asks, exchanging a glance with Casey.

I’m sure he must know tomorrow is my birthday. Casey said he was going to tell him.

“Yes,” Casey says as he gasps for air.

I stop tickling him so he can breathe.

“Three. Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. But Wednesday is the only day I don’t have an evening swimming session the day before. Saturday’s practice is the latest. We’re not done in the pool until nine.”

“Wow. Swimmers aren’t allowed to have a social life, are they? Although I guess nine isn’t that late on a Saturday. There are plenty of late-opening bars and nightclubs. You could party all night, as you don’t have to get up in the morning,” Auggie says.

“Yeah, I don’t do that. A lot of the team does. They go out after practice on Wednesday and Saturday nights. On Wednesday, they meet up with the polo team, who are either celebrating or commiserating, depending on whether they won their match that day.”

“You don’t join them?” Auggie asks.

“I’m not much of a drinker, but I go out with them sometimes. Anyway, if it’s a night when I’ve got swimming the next morning, I’ll bring my kit bag with me. It’s not a problem.”

Auggie grins. “Tomorrow night, then?”

I narrow my eyes as I stare at them. They’re planning something.

Casey covers his mouth as he yawns. “I’m going to go to bed. Have fun. Do everything I wouldn’t do. Night.”

I catch hold of his arm as he tries to move. “You don’t have to go.”

He twists to look at me. “I know. Snuggling has been nice, but I am tired. And you’d benefit from some alone time with Auggie. I don’t need to be around while he relieves you.”

“Don’t need to be or don’t want to be?”

He blows out a breath. “Both. Watching you would be awkward and weird.”

“I don’t want you to feel like we’re chasing you away.”

“You’re not. I’m making a choice. Snuggling was wonderful. Now it’s time for me to sleep.”

I take the opportunity to peck his lips. He turns to kiss Auggie and then smiles, shuffles down the bed, and leaves.

I stare at the closed door. “Is he tired, or did he run away because I’m hard?”

Auggie moves closer and rests his fingers against my jaw. “He’s tired, but he also wanted to give us some space. It’s going to take us a while to get used to what we all want and need.”

“I want us to fit together perfectly right away, but that wish is unrealistic.”

“We’ll find our way. One thing you need to work on is not feeling guilty when Casey leaves us so we can get sexy. It’s his choice, Emory. He could stay, but he doesn’t want to.”

“I know.”

He cups my cock through my jeans. “Do you want me to help you with this before I go?”