Chapter 9
NINE
TEX (TRAVIS)
“Ican’t believe we fucking lost that game and by one field goal.” With a scoff, I trudged into the hotel with Malik and Grey. I’d played my best, but Iowa had gotten lucky. The bastards.
“Yeah, I know. It sucks.” Malik glanced at Grey. “It’s too bad you didn’t get to play today.”
“Next time.” Grey slapped Malik’s ass. “We can console ourselves in our hotel room.” He waggled his brows at Malik.
“Oh, brother.” Rolling my eyes, I walked across the marble floor, past the lobby bar in modern black leather and rich wood. Several people occupied lounge chairs, holding drinks. At least we’d gotten a nicer hotel for this trip.
Rick Masters jogged to my side as we stood at the elevator. “Hey, mind if I share this elevator with you guys?”
“No, we’re going to the same room.” I snickered. I really should devote more time to him, since he was on my line, instead of hanging out with Malik and Grey.
“Thanks, man.” He gave me a warm grin. “Coach wasn’t happy about that loss.”
The elevator dinged, and we entered it.
“Nope. I have a feeling practice will be extra hard on Monday.” Malik pushed the button for our floor, and the elevator rose.
“Anyone down to sneak a beer? I heard Coley and Bailey are doing it.” Masters’s grin widened.
“Coach didn’t say we could, and I don’t want to get in trouble. But you do you.” I huffed a long exhale. I should call Colton and ask about his night at the bar. I tensed my lips. Would he have met anyone there? The place had to be packed.
“Yeah, maybe it’s a bad idea.” Twisting his lips, he hung his head.
After the doors opened, we all stepped out, and I started toward my room with Masters. “Hey, I’m going to make a quick phone call. You go ahead.” Now I was itching to call Colton. Would he still be at the bar?
“Sure, see you soon.” Masters continued to our room and unlocked the door, then ducked inside.
Malik smirked at me. “Let me see…” He tapped his finger on his cheek. “You wouldn’t be calling your tutor, would you?”
Our new arrangement was supposed to be secret. I couldn’t tell Malik everything. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I said, “Yeah. He watched the game at the Varsity Tavern with his hockey buddy. I want to get their view on it.”
“Why, because a hockey player and a tutor will know more about it than our coaches?” He poked my shoulder. “Are you still just friends?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “Basically.” It wasn’t a full lie. “He’s thinking about calling the help center, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Grey stepped toward me. “Good, I hope it works out for you, Tex.” His jaw muscle bulged as he glanced at Malik.
I hope it works out for you two as well. “Thanks, man.” I patted Grey on the shoulder. “You go on. I’m sure you’d rather be alone in your room than hanging out in the hallway talking to me.” With a snigger, I called Colton and pressed my phone to my ear.
As Malik and Grey strolled to their room, the call picked up.
“Hey, Travis. Where are you?” Music and voices filtered through the line.
“I’m back at my hotel. Coach was not happy with us tonight.
” I strolled along the corridor, across the zigzag-patterned carpet.
It was enough to make a person dizzy if they were drunk.
“Are you still at the bar?” I clenched my jaw.
Why hadn’t he gone home by now? The game had ended almost two hours ago.
“Yeah, I think Evan’s getting a hookup.” He chuckled. “Some girls started talking to us at halftime and they never left.”
“Oh?” Some girls? That meant there was more than one. It also meant a girl had probably been chatting up Colton. My gut twisted. “And what about you?” Why did I even ask? I didn’t want to know.
He released a long breath. “I…I told this girl’s friend that I’m seeing someone and not looking to date anyone else.”
My heart stuttered as warmth spread through my chest. “You, you did?” As a smile tugged at my lips, I hopped on my toes as I walked.
“Yeah. I want no more complications. It was bad enough dealing with Sara this afternoon.” He paused. In a softer voice, he said, “Plus, like I said, I like you.”
Hot damn. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.” I stopped and then said, “I like you too.” Did that sound stupid? But I had to say it back, right?
“I know that.” He freed a quick laugh. “Listen, I should go. I think Evan’s getting this girl’s number and then we’re leaving.”
“So, he’s not hooking up with her?” I turned around and strode toward my room. God, I wish I were there with them. When would he introduce me to Evan? Would he? Did Evan know about us? It was a conversation for another time.
“I didn’t say that. He’ll probably drop me off at home and then go to her place.” He huffed. “He’s done that before,” he said. “Anyway, I’ll see you on Tuesday? And have a safe trip home.”
“Yeah, thanks.” As I reached my room, I stopped, facing the door. He hadn’t said a word about the game.
“You played well tonight despite the loss. Evan was impressed again.”
“Tell Evan I appreciate his praise, from one athlete to another.” Maybe we could get tickets to one of Evan’s games? “Hey, would you like to watch one of his games with me?” I toed the carpet with my sneaker.
“Yes, that would be fun. I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Okay, let me know on Tuesday and I’ll see you then.” I slid my keycard from the pocket of my joggers. “Goodnight, Colton.” Tuesday couldn’t come fast enough.
“Goodnight, Tex.” He ended the call.
I stared at my phone for a beat. He did that on purpose and damn—I loved it. He had an interesting way of showing his feelings. Shaking my head, I unlocked the door and strode inside.
Masters sat on his bed, watching a sports channel and scrolling through his phone. “How’d the call go?”
“Great.” With a broad grin, I headed to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
After an uneventful trip home and two grueling practices, I drove to Colton’s apartment for my afternoon “tutoring” session. We had a bye-week this week, so I had a rare open weekend, and I’d hoped I could spend it with Colton.
After reaching his door, I knocked. How would he present himself today? Would he be buttoned-up, studious Colton or would he be casual and daring Colton? Regardless, I’d have a little more of him.
He swung the door open, dressed in a black V-neck T-shirt and grey shorts. “Hi.” He raked his teeth across his upper lip.
“Oh, damn.” Wasn’t that the outfit he’d worn to the bar? No wonder girls hit on him. With my cock waking, I shoved him backward, dropping my backpack on the floor, and pressed him against the wall. “You look hot.” I lifted his hands above his head, my gaze locked on his plump lips.
“Yeah?” His breath hastened as he pushed his hardening cock against my own and then brushed his lips across mine. “I might have been thinking about being with you since…well, since the last time I saw you.” He bit my lower lip and released it.
“Fuck…” Kicking the door shut behind me, I claimed him in hungry kisses, my tongue slipping between his lips. Pinning his wrists with one hand, I snuck the other under his shirt and up to tease his nipple into a hard nub.
He groaned and thrust against me, rubbing his solid cock against mine. “Need you, Tex.”
Nibbling his chin, I worked down the column of his neck and sucked the soft flesh. We should be horizontal for this. “Bedroom?” I lowered my hand and slid into his shorts and briefs, placing slow strokes on his cock.
His dick pulsed against my palm, and precum leaked from the head. “Yes, I have…things in there we can use.” He trembled against me as he moaned.
Things? What sort of things? “Okay, let’s go.” Snatching his hand, I led him into his bedroom. His mattress sat on a frame, no headboard, but the grey duvet seemed nice and matched the lighter grey pillows. His dresser and nightstands were dark wood with a no-nonsense modern vibe.
I threw him on the bed and crawled over him, then lowered and nuzzled his neck, breathing him in. “So, what did you have in mind?” I rocked my hips, rutting against him. Pleasure hummed inside me.
As he tipped his head back, he gasped and grabbed my ass, squeezing it. “I have plugs, a vibrator and lube.” He thrust against me. “Your choice.”
If he had plugs… “Do you bottom?” I licked his neck and sucked his earlobe into my mouth. We had to lose the damn clothes.
“Mostly. But I like to top occasionally.” He arched his back, wrapped his legs around mine and stopped, his breath hitching. “Tex, I’m not uh, I’m not ready for sex, you know, penetrative sex.”
Lifting my head, I brushed my fingers across his cheek and gazed deeply into his stunning green eyes. “I understand.” It probably wasn’t a good idea, anyway. I wanted to know him better before we had anal sex. He wasn’t a hookup to me. “Let’s try one of your plugs. What do you say?”
“I say yes.” The corner of his mouth curled. “Get undressed first. Do you know I have yet to see you naked?” He pushed me off him, and I rolled to the side.
“Gotta warn you. It’s a sight to behold.” I snickered and shucked my shirt off.
“Oh, is—” He stared at me, his mouth falling open and his dick jerking in his shorts. “You’re right.” He skimmed his fingers down my abs. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many muscles.”
“I’m an offensive lineman. They come in handy.” I ticked my head at him. “Go on, get undressed. Even though it was a nice touch to wear the same thing you wore on Saturday.” I wanted him to know I appreciated his effort.
After sitting up, lifting his shirt and tossing it on the floor, he unfastened his shorts and shimmied them down his legs along with his briefs. His cock stood tall, almost reaching his navel.
My mouth watered as I focused on his dick. “Oh, fuck. Can I?” I removed my shorts and then crawled between his spread legs. “Just a little…” Fisting the base, I flicked my tongue at the head, and it jerked.
He groaned and leaned back on his straight arms. “Not too much yet.”