More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
And coming from me, Mr. Egotistical Fuckboy, that says a lot.
Gay butt Philly cheese. I’ll bookmark that for later.
“Holy shit, you really are that conceited. Maybe we haven’t had sex because I don’t want my sexuality splashed all over the tabloids.
for years I’ve thought the tension between Anton and me came from a place of resentment. It turns out it’s because I want to fuck Anton Hayes. I did not see that coming.
get a sense that we’re going to have a good season this year. I don’t say that out loud though. Never out loud. That would be like walking under a ladder inside with an open umbrella and carrying a black cat kind of bad juju.
I know this is hard for you to believe, but you don’t have to fall on every available dick. Gotta go.” He ends the call before I can thank him for not
Is this what growing up is? It feels like there’s a life lesson in this situation somewhere.
I’m an egotistical bastard on purpose these days, because
“Are you fucking Anton Hayes?” Tripp asks, his red hair a contrast against his pale skin and adorable freckles. West bursts out laughing, and I want to wipe the smile off his damn face.
Hey, just because I’m proudly out and don’t care about being seen with men, that doesn’t mean I don’t understand others not being the same. I’m not that self-centered and tone-deaf.
“You’re seeing someone?” Tripp asks him. “Really? Mr. In Love With Ezra?”
As if waiting for their damn cue, in walk the trades. Rookie Josh Moreau from Philly and— Fucking fuck fuck. No. This is not happening. I blink a few times, but Anton Hayes still stands there,
“We don’t like each other. End of story. He grates on me, and I’m too awesome for him. It’s the story of my life, Coach. You should feel sorry for me. No one likes me because of how jealous they are.” “I’m starting to see Hayes’s point,”
“None of us talks about our sex lives, okay? You do you, but we don’t need to hear about it. And you don’t need to hear about what we get up to.” “Deal.” That’s more than okay with me. “Why do I get the feeling Palaszczuk was the reason for that rule?” Diedrich rubs his neck. “Might have been, yeah.” Ezra enters the room at just the right moment and cuts in. “Because I showed you animals how awkward sex talk is when you’re not into the things being talked about.”
“And he sent you. Total coincidence, I’m sure.” “Coincidence. Right. Fifty bucks says the coaches throw us together at all opportunities to force us to get along.”
Would it really kill you to play nice with me?” “I’m like ninety percent sure that would be detrimental to my health, yes.” “Hmm, only ninety. I’ll get it out of you one day, then.”
can get my ass to the fucking animal shelter to do this charity shit because fucking Anton Hayes is a fucking fuck fuck asshole fuck.
you go through roommates on the road faster than you do hookups. Now that’s impressive.” “Thank you.” “Not a compliment.”
You know, they say animals have a great sense of reading people. They know when they meet a shitty person and show it.” “I think that’s dogs. Cats hate everyone.”
“Maybe dogs can sense good humans and cats can sense people who are dead inside. Just like them.”
“At least someone likes that I’m here.” “Mm, an affection-starved, homeless dog. I don’t think his standards are high.”
“I’m not doing anything heroic. I’m just being myself. Everyone should be allowed to be themselves.” He finally meets my eyes. “That’s heroic to me.”
saw a different side of him. A side I admired. I hold my orientation close to my chest because I don’t want it to define me, but watching how grateful that teenager was to see representation in pro sports made me want to kick my own ass for staying out of the spotlight.
It’s the least you could do since you got cat juju all over my game.”
Ezra sighs. “Why aren’t you coming?” “I’m not turned on.”
He hangs up, and while at surface level his words sound like an insult, I think … did Ezra Palaszczuk just reassure me?
Normally I’m all about sharing the credit, team effort and all that, but the way Ezra’s glaring at me … I like it a bit too much.
“Eh, my G-Wagon has more room. Your back seat doesn’t look spacious enough to do sex acrobatics.”
“What if I want to talk about a guy I hooked up with who has a weird-shaped dick?” As the words fall from my mouth, the waiter appears. “Uh, umm … I’ll give you a few minutes.”
“He doesn’t have a Grindr profile,” Dex says and then lowers his voice like he’s letting out a big secret. “I’m starting to think Tripp’s a virgin.”
Dex says. “Guys all want the same thing. Sometimes I think it would be easier if I were gay.”
Dex really is a walking himbo.
“Your shoe will catch fire again,” Tripp warns. “Again?” “He never learns,” Tripp says.
It cements the kind of bond and support we have in our group. Tripp and Dex are the best of friends, but our experiences as queer athletes will always be put first.
“You know you’re welcome to crash here anytime you want.” “You just wanna wake up next to me again.” Tripp closes his eyes briefly. “There’s plenty of space, so I don’t know why you always end up in my bed, but maybe you should think about why you don’t want to go home.”
“Like Tripp being totally in love with him?” “Thank you. It’s obvious, right?” “Uh, yeah. Do you really think he doesn’t know, or does he pretend not to?” “Oh, he has no idea. I love Dex, I really do, but he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
You telling Tripp and Dex you’re seeing someone. Asking me to fuck you while being exclusive … This is—” “Still an arrangement, you egotistical prick.” His smile takes the bite out of his words.
And as much as it unnerves me to recognize, I do trust Ezra. And not only when it comes to sex.
“Damn, you really struggle to let go, don’t you? What part of I’m in control did you not understand?” “Then get on with—”
I’ve never hooked up with another athlete before, and I’m suddenly realizing what I was missing out on. Everything
I, personally, don’t see how murdering each other will be better than pranking each other, but hey, it’s worth a try.” I turn to Anton. “Who knew Coach had a sense of humor?” “I’m a hoot,” Coach says
“True. Tell me, do they pay you guys in real money or just, like, Timbits?”
“Your loss. My cock’s basically a good-luck charm. Or like Aladdin’s lamp. You rub it and all your dreams come true.”
“But now that you do know,” Ezra says, propping his elbows on the bar table. “Interested in a threesome? Ohh, a foursome. You can bring your little guy and—”
“And when have you ever known me to do anything I don’t want to? If I didn’t like it, I’d tell you. But so far, I’m loving every minute of it, Hay—Anton.” “Even though it’s me?” “Especially because it’s you.”
We ran into each other at weight training this morning, and after watching him do squats for twenty minutes, there was no way I wasn’t following him home to get in a workout of our own.
shove the whole thing in my mouth in under a minute. “Let’s go.” “That was both horrifying and impressive.” “I’m good with fitting a lot in my mouth, but you should know that by now.” I wink at him.
“Yep. We’re definitely besties. You don’t even call me on my shit anymore.” “It’s because I know when I’m wasting my breath.” “I’ve been called a waste of breath many times.” “What?” His jaw ticks. “I’m a terrible person sometimes. I get under people’s skin. Even I know that.”
We’re allowed to like each other without things getting weird or twisted. The problem is, they’re already getting weird and twisted in my head.
“Yup. Decent at hockey, still has most of his own teeth, barely snores. His personal hygiene could use work, but look at this face …” He squeezes Kosik’s cheeks for emphasis, and while Kosik bats Ezra away, I approach on his other side. “Not to mention he’s great at spooning, right, Ez?” I turn to the woman, who looks more amused than interested. “Want to see the photos? They’re adorable together.”
