Between the Pipes (Offsides #3)

by J.J. Mulder

“I swear to god, if you ask me if I’ve got a problem with queer people again I’m going to pull over and beat the shit out of you. Not because you’re gay, but because you’re an asshole.”

“I guess we’ll just have to date each other. We can be miserable together.” The words are out before I can even think about it, and I scramble for a way to backtrack. I don’t even know why I said it. I’d rather beat my head against a brick wall than date someone as infuriating as Anthony Lawson. Also, he’s fucking straight, which we established less than an hour ago even if he was vague about it.

Rule #1 of being a gay man: do not develop a crush on your straight acquaintances.

“I didn’t see it because I’m almost fully blind in my right eye, and partially blind in my left eye.”

He blushes. Actually blushes: a sudden bloom of color over his cheeks. Jesus Christ that’s fucking adorable.

If nothing else is accomplished this summer, please let me at least leave Carter Morgan with a fucking friend.

It burns me how much I like him; I like him so fucking much I hate him.

Troy just got home. He had fun and also told me that he thinks you and Nico are fucking. I’ll go ahead and leave that conversation for you, shall I?

Please, please, rely on me. Rely on me so much that you never ask me to leave.

On my way out the door, I stop dead as I notice something hanging on the wall. Above his dresser, in a spot he’d see it every day, is the quick sketch I’d done and given him. It’s framed, and is the only piece of artwork he has hung up in the entire house. My eyes burn as I stare at it. He wouldn’t have kept it if I—we—didn’t mean anything to him.

“You’d be easy to fall in love with, if I didn’t know what a spectacularly bad idea that would be.”

I must have been a Saint in a previous life, to have been given Anthony in this one.

As much as I want him to feel better, I have to admit I’m enjoying sick Nico; he’s affectionate, warm, and has let me get away with things that wouldn’t have been an option before. I send up a little prayer that the cuddling sticks around once he’s back to normal.