Between the Pipes (Offsides #3)

by J.J. Mulder

I really have no idea what I’m doing. I feel like a marionette, my limbs operating completely outside of my control. All I know is, there is something about Nico that draws me to him; I’m craving contact, seeking out his body with single-minded intensity. I know I need to tone it down, but I can’t. Jesus, but I fucking want him. “When’s your birthday?” I ask, enjoying the heat of his calf. I wish our pants weren’t in the way—I want to know how his leg hair feels when it catches against my own. Nico stares at me like I asked him for his opinion on assisted suicide. “Why do you want to know that, Anthony?” He sounds exhausted, like dealing with me is more taxing than working with the college kids. “So that I know when to bring you a present.” Nico stares at me for so long, I wonder if he fell asleep with his eyes open. “I don’t want a present.” “If anyone in the world needs a present on their birthday, it’s you.” I point my fork at him. He ducks his head to eat, but more than once I see his eyes flick back up to my face. I wait. When it seems like he’s not going to answer the question, I open my mouth to ask another. “October 31st,” he mutters, speaking directly to his plate. “Halloween baby! Cool.” “Quite fitting, actually. I’m well suited for the holiday, now.” His mouth tries to shape itself into a semblance of a smile, and he waves fingers in the direction of his face. Frowning, I look at him. Really look at him. At the dusting of light brown scruff on his jaw, and the s...