Page 209 of The Locker Room

Chris did settle down, this time facing Xander, but still tucked on

his shoulder. “You did it to teach them a lesson?” he asked, his voice

tinged with a sort of happy awe.

Xander shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable with how Machiavellian

that sounded. “I just got tired of it, you know? He keeps yelling at me

like I don"t matter, but I"m sort of important to the damned team. We"re

still in first place in the west coast conference, Chicago"s still in last in

the east. I just thought I"d maybe show that fucker what this team could

be like if I didn"t pitch in.”

Chris"s sleepy grin was all of the affirmation he needed. “That"s

good, Xan. It"s about time you stood up for yourself.”

Xander sighed, the ache of missing him—even for just these last

two weeks—suddenly assaulting his chest all over again, except this time

in one big wave, instead of in little tiny pieces.

“Maybe I should have stood up for us sooner,” he whispered,

thinking of all of those horrible third home game of the months.

The Locker Room 181

“Maybe I should have too,” Chris confessed into his chest, and

Xander sighed.

“I think we"re both… you know. Learning how to grow up. It"s

weird when we only have ourselves to look at, you know?”

Chris laughed and yawned and said, “I"ll tell you what I know. I

know my ass isstillbeing kicked by San Antonio, and it"s time for me to

sleep before I fuel up for more sex.That"swhat I know.”

Xander laughed quietly too. God, he missed the way Chris could do

that to him—make him laugh, even when shit really sucked. “I love you,

Christian.”

“I love you too, Xander. Go to sleep, baby. We"ve got four days

together. It"ll be good.”

And it was.