Page 81 of The Frathole

“Something like that,” he says with a mischievous smirk that’s giving me a hard-on.

“I hope it’s not preventing you from getting around campus,” I add.

“It’s not preventing me from doinganything.” He tilts his head in a pointed way, as though making it clear it’s definitely not enough to keep us from having our favorite nighttime ritual.

Thank fuck.

“Why am I not getting a fist bump or a hug?” Ty asks.

Fuck, I’m acting weird, and I don’t want the guys catching on and thinking we’re up to anything. Not that I’d have an issue with it, but I sure as hell don’t want to put Marty on the spot like that. I have no desire to out him before he’s ready, and besides, it’s kind of hot letting this be our dirty little secret.

“I wanted you guys to get along,” Ty adds, “but I don’t need Marty replacing me.”

“Does somebody need some attention?” I ask, heading over to Ty, tackling him with a hug.

“You ass!” he jokes.

“Nobody’s replacing my best bud,” I assure him. “Anybody want to head out for some ice cream?”

“You just ate.”

“Eh, I had a tough conversation with my dad and wasn’t too hungry after, but now I’m starving.”

“Tough conversation?” Ty asks.

“Yeah, and I’ll tell you about it over a peanut butter fudge buster.”

“I want ice cream too,” Ash says.

Everyone else chimes in for the same, and we head out to the nearby ice-cream stand.

I’m relieved when the rest of the guys grab a table, giving me a moment with Marty while we wait for the server to finish making our bowls.

“How did he take it?” he asks.

“Eh…I can tell he’s gonna need some time. It wasn’t an easy thing for him to hear, that’s for sure.”

“It’s impressive you went ahead and said it, though. That had to be tough with everything else going on.”

“Yeah,” I admit. “Now I have to break the news to my friends, trainer, my old teammates, and my agent.”

He cringes, as though he’s experiencing stress by proxy. “Well, you seem good, considering everything.”

I check to make sure our friends are at the table before I lean closer. “I can seem not good too if that’ll convince you to mess around with me.”

“I didn’t think Ryan Lorde would ever want a pity fuck.”

“I’ve never needed one before, but I’d make an exception for that ass.”

There’s the twist in his lips, and if this is the way he reacts to compliments, I’m happy to dote on him with more. I’m tempted to drag him around to the bathrooms and take that mouth of his, and he must notice because he licks his lips. I growl, but there’s something still gnawing at me.

“This might be a weird time to ask, but…you and Ang?”

His eyes flare. “What do you mean?”

“I know she’s a friend, but are you still into her?” As soon as I say the words, I wish I could suck them back in my mouth. “Never mind. None of my business.” I’m fucking Ryan Lorde. I’m not intimidated by some hot girl.

“You jealous?”