Page 3

Human Daisy Chain

Charlie

My first thought is that I’ve died. But then I realize that I’m having thoughts, which means I’m alive.

Opening my eyes, the bright fluorescent lights burn my retinas. I groan, aggravating my vocal cords. When I roll over onto my side, I realize it’s the worst mistake I could have made. And that’s saying something, because I’ve done some pretty idiotic things in my twenty years of life.

My entire body aches. For a brief, delirious moment, I think it’s because I’ve had the wildest sex of my life. It would explain the sore throat and the tense muscles. But what it wouldn’t explain is why my ass feels as if it went ten rounds with an exploding transformer. Was I spanked?

A quiet laugh snaps me out of my thoughts. I pick up my head and spot a guy clad entirely in black, sitting on a slab of metal. He’s wearing a black hoodie pulled over his head, black jeans, and black boots. I frown, curious to know if his underwear and socks are black as well.

The only bit of color on him comes from the strands of dirty blond hair and sharp blue eyes staring at me. Oh, and his pale white skin. His gaze is curious, amused. I stare back, taking in his lithe frame, suddenly noticing there’s more color on him than I first thought.

Smudges of paint pepper his clothes. A myriad of colors, some bright, some dark. All tantalizing.

I groan again, louder this time, and sit up. My feet hit the cold concrete floor, sending shivers through my already battered body. I glance down and realize that I’m still wearing that ridiculous mankini. Suddenly, it all comes screaming back.

When Daniel hit the ground, fear ran through me. Pain overtook the fear when the other cop used his Taser on me. It was by the grace of God that the tongs missed my penis…by an inch. I do wish to have kids one day. In the far future. After I’ve done my time in the major leagues.

Movement catches my eye. I turn my head and find Daniel standing in front of a toilet on the far side of the room. His mankini sags pathetically as he relieves himself. It’s the red welt on his right ass cheek that blooms beneath the hair that I fixate on.

I have the strongest urge to rub ointment on that spot. Feel the warm flesh beneath my fingertips. Watch as the muscles ripple from my ministrations. Wonder if it feels as good for him as it does for me.

The sound of the toilet flushing keeps me from thinking more impure thoughts. Daniel tucks his dick back into the pouch and walks over to me. His usual confident stride has been reduced to a weary shuffle.

Staring down at me in concern, he asks, “You good, bro? I tried to wake you a couple of times.”

I take stock of the room. The cinder block walls are painted an institutional gray. A heavy steel door with a tiny window is barred. An even smaller window above my head is sealed shut.

“We’re in jail.” It’s more of a statement than a question. Reality quickly sets in, and with it, a crushing wave of embarrassment.

“Where else would we end up together?” Daniel offers me a hand to stand, but I’m too sore to take it.

I stare up at the unforgiving light and wonder if this will be on my permanent record.

I truly hope not; I’ve been extremely diligent in making sure nothing hurts my chances of getting drafted.

If this does…I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.

Baseball is my life. It’s the only thing I know, the only thing I have going for me.

I don’t have a backup plan. Hell, I don’t even have a current plan. I go to school, bust my ass at practice, and throw the best goddamn pitches I can when it matters most. All in hopes of one day playing for the only team I’ve ever dreamed of being a part of—the New York Yankees.

A sneeze reminds me that Daniel and I aren’t the only ones in here. “Who are you?” I ask the guy in all black.

“Me?” He points a finger at himself. “The better question is, why are you guys wearing mankinis? Not that I’m complaining. You’re both giving me a show I’ll remember forever.”

He winks at us, and we flush crimson. I don’t think I’ve ever been hit on by another guy, at least not in such a direct way.

“I’m Harrison,” he says with a smirk that hits me deep in my bones. “Harrison Price .”

He emphasizes his last name, as if we should recognize it, but we don’t. New York’s a big place, after all.

“Should we know who you are?” Daniel asks.

Harrison shrugs, unbothered by the question. “Probably not. But I know who you two are.”

I groan internally and brace myself for what’s sure to come.

It’s not uncommon for people to recognize me and Daniel.

We’re fairly well-known college athletes.

I’ve lost count of how many selfies I’ve taken and autographs I’ve signed.

I love it, though, as does Daniel. If it weren’t for our fans, our lives would be a lot less exciting.

“You’re Daniel Hollingsworth. And you’re Charlie McManus.”

When he points his long index finger at me, a strange sensation flows through me, taking root in my belly. It’s not unsettling like when I had food poisoning. It’s more…pleasant. Warm. Tingly.

“Catcher and pitcher, respectively, for the Ashford U Green Wolves. Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask for a selfie or anything.”

“Then what do you want?” Daniel crosses his arms over his chest in an attempt to appear intimidating. The pink mankini lessens the effect.

“The answer to my question. Why are two big-shot college athletes running around Manhattan in mankinis when they could be at a bar, ringing in the new year with their girlfriends? At least, I’m assuming you’re both in relationships.”

“He is; I’m not,” I tell him. “And it was a dare orchestrated by his girlfriend.”

“Smart woman.” Harrison winks at Daniel, who blushes again.

“Now you know why we’re in here,” I say. “Your turn.”

Harrison stands up and walks over to the door. “I was expressing my First Amendment rights.”

He plays a game of charades with us without asking. From the way he wiggles his finger and waves his hand in the air, I think he’s trying to tell us he’s a graffiti artist. It would explain the splashes of color all over him.

“You were protesting?” A note of respect creeps into Daniel’s voice.

“Something like that. Until the cops who caught you caught me.”

“You don’t look like graffiti’s your style.”

“Oh?” Harrison’s eyebrows lift. “Then pray tell, what is my style?”

Daniel shrugs. “I don’t know. You just don’t strike me as a rebel.”

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you that looks can be deceiving?” Harrison’s smirk returns, but this time, it’s playful.

“My mother has told me a lot of things. Wash behind my ears, look both ways before crossing the street, never trust a man in black…”

My eyes bounce back and forth between Daniel and Harrison as if I’m watching a tennis match. It’s strange to see Daniel warm up to Harrison this quickly. Usually, he keeps people at arm’s length until he can get a good read on them. I’m the one who welcomes strangers with open arms.

A noise from outside the cell interrupts the conversation. “Ten minutes till midnight,” cries out one of the guards.

Shit. Midnight already?

I glance at Harrison, who meets my eyes with an unreadable expression. My stomach flip-flops, my toes curl, and my fingertips tingle. I tell myself it’s a byproduct of all the alcohol still coursing through my veins. But who am I kidding? I’m intrigued .

Daniel sits on the bench and rakes a hand through his hair. “We’re totally gonna miss the ball drop.” He pauses, then adds more quietly, “And I’m gonna miss kissing Olivia.”

“You could always kiss me instead,” Harrison offers brightly with a wink.

Daniel barks out a laugh. “Thanks, you’re cute, but I think I’ll pass.”

Cute?

Harrison shrugs. “Your loss.”

The seconds tick by, and silence blankets the room in tension thicker than my thighs. I find myself wishing for the distraction of a television or a clock to stare at obsessively. Anything to take my mind off the impending year and what it might bring.

Desperate to fill the silence, I ask Harrison, “What were you spray painting?”

Harrison’s eyes light up. “A giant pair of scissors cutting through a stack of bills. It’s symbolic.”

“Nice,” Daniel says with a nod.

Daniel comes from a rich family, but he doesn’t use or flaunt his wealth. He’s the kind of guy who wants to make it on his own merits, not by who his parents are or what they can bring to the table.

The guards shout again. “Five more minutes!”

Harrison pushes himself off the door. “If you won’t kiss me”—he gestures at Daniel with a wave of his hand—“maybe you will?” He stares at me, head tilted.

My jaw hits the floor. “Me?!” I squeak out.

“Or you two could kiss each other. Whatever floats your boat more.”

Harrison’s sharp blue gaze cuts through the dim light of the holding cell and assesses me in a way that no one else ever has.

I swallow hard and glance over at Daniel. He’s blushing…again. I think I am too.

Daniel’s a handsome fella, and we’ve been best friends for long enough that it would be an easy thing to do. Comfortable, even, to kiss him.

Wait. Why am I considering such a thing?

This is Daniel. My best friend. My straight best friend. As am I. Straight, that is.

I open my mouth to say no, but Harrison cuts me off. “Or…we could all kiss each other.”

My brain short-circuits. The image of the three of us going at it like some kind of human daisy chain flashes through my mind. And to my surprise, it sends a rush of blood straight to my groin.

I shift uncomfortably, trying to will it away, but it’s too late. The flimsy fabric of the mankini does nothing to hide my growing problem.

Harrison notices first, his eyes flicking down briefly. Daniel follows suit, his eyes widening as he gets a good idea of what I’m packing.

I want to die. What was supposed to be a simple dare has evolved into something far more complex.

“It’s the alcohol,” I blurt out. “And the…the cold.” Yeah, because getting hard from the cold makes total sense, Charlie.

Harrison laughs. “Try biology, McManus. Perfectly natural. It’s happening to me too.” He brazenly grabs his crotch, and I can’t stop myself from licking my lips. From swallowing past the lump in my throat. From wanting to grab the lump between my legs. “And Hollingsworth.”

My head whips over to Daniel. Even though he’s trying to hide it with his hands, it’s as plain as the nose on my face. My best friend has a boner.

The sight of it has me rocketing to my feet and hustling over to the door. “I’m gonna see if the guards have any clothes for us.” I bang on the door and shout at the top of my lungs. “Hey! Can someone get us some clothes?”

I get no response. Turning around, I choke on a gasp. Harrison is next to Daniel, gently petting his arm. Strangely, Daniel doesn’t seem to mind. Or maybe he’s too stunned to react. Yeah, let’s go with that.

“It’s almost midnight. Traditions are important.” Harrison’s finger trails up Daniel’s bicep. It quivers in response. “Now, you guys don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, but…sometimes, it’s worth finding out what you truly want.”

The worst thing about all of this is that he makes complete sense. Too much sense.

Daniel stares at me, eyes wide and silently asking me for permission. If it weren’t for all the blood pooling in my crotch, I’d be unraveling that little mystery at lightning speed.

Daniel’s straight. He has a girlfriend.

And I’m straight. No girlfriend, but I’ve had them in the past. And even though I’ve been celibate for longer than I care to admit, that doesn’t mean I should suddenly be interested in wanting to kiss a guy or two at midnight.

And yet, I take a tentative step forward. Then another. My heart pounds loud enough for the entire cell block to hear.

“So, who wants to be kissed first?” Harrison whispers, his pupils dilating as the guards count down from sixty.

When they get to ten, my heart kicks into overdrive. When the clock strikes midnight, I’m certain I’m having a heart attack. Because Harrison’s lips are suddenly on mine, his tongue seeking permission to enter my mouth.

I willingly part my lips and let him taste me at the same time that fireworks explode outside, lighting up the room in bursts of color.

His hand gently cups my face, and my body instantly sags. There’s a sweetness to him that I’ve never tasted before. It’s a new and exciting flavor, and I instantly want to drown in it. In him.

My hands find his waist and pull him closer.

A growl escapes him, causing the fireworks in my head to become even more explosive than the ones outside.

My belly tightens to the point that my ass clenches.

Any blood that was left in my head has dissipated, leaving me lightheaded and almost too weak to stand.

Harrison pulls away from me sooner than I’d like, his warmth vanishing from my lips. He walks back over to Daniel, and there’s not even a hint of doubt from either of them before their mouths collide.

At first, Harrison is the aggressor, his tongue flicking in and out of Daniel’s mouth, his thumb stroking Daniel’s cheek. But it isn’t long before Daniel shows Harrison that he can be dominant as well. One thick hand rests on the small of Harrison’s back, the other finds purchase in his hair.

They fight for dominance. It’s hotter than any porn I’ve ever watched, and I’ve watched my fair share.

The longer they go at it, the harder I become. The more I want to be a part of it.

Harrison’s hand slips inside Daniel’s mankini, and I fear I’ll explode before I’ve even had a chance to touch myself.

Minutes later, Harrison steps away from Daniel, leaving my friend panting, wide-eyed, and staring directly at me.

His eyes are dark and hungry, his pupils are mere slits, as he stalks his way over to me. My cock throbs, letting loose a dollop of precome that stains the pink fabric.

The air crackles between us, and the moment our lips collide, I realize three things in rapid succession .

One, where Harrison kisses sensually, Daniel kisses with power.

Two, where Harrison makes my toes curl, Daniel makes my eyes roll back.

Three, where Harrison feels like kissing a stranger, kissing Daniel feels like we’ve been doing it all along.