Chapter 20 #2
Birds are chirping in the trees that surround this secluded spot within the training grounds; we have some delicious food and the company isn’t half as bad either.
The tone of an incoming text message comes from Mack’s phone. He checks it, shoots back a quick reply, and then sets the device back down by his side. His eyes are closed, and a satisfied smile spreads across his face.
“That must have been good news?” Nash asks before I can.
“Booty call.” Mack’s smile widens, but he doesn’t open his eyes.
One thing you wouldn’t know about hockey players unless you were around some is that they might be big, imposing men with quick reflexes and hard muscles. But they’re some of the nosiest creatures known to man. Give them a piece of gossip and they’ll go on and on forever.
“Ooh,” Tucker giggles, shoving the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth. “Same chick as last night?”
Mack shakes his head, his eyes still closed. “Nope.”
My curiosity is peaked too. “I assume one of the trainee cheerleaders?”
“Winner, winner, chicken dinner.” He says. “I’m on the rebound. One and done is my motto for the foreseeable future.”
I can’t say that I blame him too much. “I guess after Gen you need a palate cleanser, huh?”
“You don’t know the half of it, man.” Mack groans, opening his eyes.
“I don’t even know why I dated her for this long.
I guess it’s because our parents are best friends and they kind of expected us to end up together.
I went through the motions, but I didn’t realize how unhappy I was until she started upping the ante.
I finally gathered the courage to end things when she demanded some things I wasn’t willing to give. ”
I’m not the only one who’s curious about what Mack means. “What kinds of things?” Tucker asks. “Sexual things?”
“I wish.” Mack snorts. “Believe it or not, Gen and I only slept together a handful of times. She used sex as a way to control me and dangled it in front of me to get what she wanted.”
Tucker shudders. “Fuck. That sounds horrible. So what was the dealbreaker?”
“No offense, Tuck,” Mack says. “But I’m in an excellent mood and I don’t want to ruin it talking about my ex.
I’ll tell you someday. For now, just know that breaking up with her was the best thing I’ve ever done.
I didn’t realize how tired I was of her constant drama.
And horny, too. So this is my summer of discovery.
I can’t believe that until last week, I had only ever slept with Gen. ”
I don’t blame him. “I went through a similar phase when I broke up with my high school girlfriend after freshman year. Sophomore year was a wild year of hookups, so I don’t judge you for wanting to see what’s out there. Just one thing, please, man.”
“What’s that?”
I look him square in the eye. “Whatever you do, make sure to wrap it up. The only memory you want from this time in your life is some crazy trick you learned in bed and a boost to your confidence; not some disease or an unplanned pregnancy.”
Mack runs a wet hand over his face. “Dude. Don’t worry, I’m being safe. But thanks for making sure. You’re a good friend.”
“So,” Tucker insists. “Who’s the lucky lady? The same one you took home last night?”
“No, man. When I say one and done, I mean it. I’m looking for a good time right now. I’m not ready for an attachment so soon after Gen.”
I feel bad for him. “We all heard you tell her that loud and clear last night. I hope she got the message.”
He heaves a heavy sigh. “What do you think? She was blowing up my phone last night after the party while I was trying to get laid. I ended up blocking her.”
“Ooh, cold.” Tucker whistles.
“Not really.” Mack bites out. “We broke up a few weeks ago. We’ve been talking about it at length.
We simply want different things, and I think she was with me for all the wrong reasons.
Gen thinks she can manipulate me into getting back together and doing her bidding.
But I’m not. For now, I just want to get through summer training, have a fucking spectacular senior year, and keep the rest light and fun. ”
Tucker agrees. “I don’t blame you. And I’ve always thought you’re too cool for someone like Gen. She might be hot, but she gives off major mean girl energy. I don’t like the way she speaks to Talia, for example. Speaking of which, who’s tonight’s booty call? It isn’t my sister, is it?”
“Dude!” Mack gasps. “What the fuck? If you want to know, the only way is if you catch her going back to her room later. But I don’t kiss and tell. And I would never hook up with your baby sister. It’s fucking bro-code 101.”
I respect Mack’s code of honor. The only way I would have ever looked at Talia is if I had serious feelings for her.
Nash has been listening to our conversation in complete silence so far. His jaw has been ticking this entire time, and he hasn’t touched his burrito. So I’m surprised when he asks Mack a question, point blank.
“It isn’t Taryn, right? Your booty call, I mean.”
“Fuck, no,” Mack gasps. “What’s wrong with you, man? I just said that I don’t want anything serious. Tar-Tar is awesome. Way too awesome to just take one bite and move on. If I ever touched her, it would be because I want something long term.”
Our newest teammate doesn’t look convinced. “And you don’t? You two looked really friendly last night.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, Nash,” Mack’s tone is hard.
“But, like we both said to Gen last night, we’re just friends.
We really like and understand each other, but that’s all there is between us.
I have a feeling Taryn is going to be my friend for a very long time.
There’s no physical spark with her, though.
Remember the other day when her top fell off during her solo?
It was like looking at my sister’s tits. ” He shudders.
There’s a beat of silence before Nash finally nods. “Ok, fine. Sorry. Then I guess I just owe a huge apology to Colsen and Tucker.”
Tucker and I exchange one look. We have been waiting for the right moment to talk to him, and it seems that it’s right now.
“Taryn was upset after the way Gen taunted her when we were playing truth or dare. And when I followed her to the bathroom,” Nash begins.
“Things happened fast and… we had sex. But I swear I had no idea she was seeing the two of you. You never mentioned the name of the girl you met at the pier. Taryn told me she was with you only after. If I had known, I would have walked away before anything happened. I hate cheaters. You have to believe me.”
Tucker puts him out of his misery. “We know.”
“You do?” The look on Nash’s face is priceless.
“Yeah,” I confirm. “Taryn told us she was into you before the party. That you knew each other from college and she always liked you. And Tuck and I told her that if she wanted to explore her connection with you, we wouldn’t stand in her way.”
Nash looks confused. “So you two broke up with her?”
“Fuck, no.” Tucker snorts. “I actually asked her on a date. We’re going out tonight.”
“Huh.” Nash’s confusion increases with every word Tucker says. “What about you, Colsen?”
I shrug. “I really like her. I haven’t liked anyone this much, probably ever. And I’m not backing off, if that’s what you think.”
Nash looks from me to Tucker as if we were some alien life forms. “I don’t get it, guys. So you both want the same woman, not only you aren’t fighting between you two, you tell her that she can explore things with me? Whatever the fuck that means.”
“Look,” I try to explain. “Tuck is my best friend. I want him to be happy, and he wants the same for me. If Taryn had been attracted to just me or him, the other would have accepted it. But at this stage she likes us both. So we’re both getting to know her. That’s what dating is all about, right?”
Our teammate considers my words. “I guess. But what happens if you both develop deeper feelings for her and she doesn’t choose you? You both look so calm, but watching your best friend with the woman you like can’t be easy. I think you’re putting your friendship at risk.”
“Tucker and I talked about it.” I explain. “Relationships end every day for all kinds of reasons. This wouldn’t be any different. As long as we’re open and honest with each other, we’re adults and we can take it.”
Tucker nods. “What he just said. We’ve all been upfront about everything from the beginning. Taryn included.”
Rather than placated, Nash looks more perplexed with every word we say. “So you’re in this weird threesome, and you think that adding me to the mix is going to help?”
“When you put it like that,” I chuckle. “I feel stupid.”
Nash’s choice of the word “threesome” puts some surprising pictures in my head. Would I ever be able to share Taryn with Tucker that way? I shake the crazy idea and focus on the conversation that’s continuing between us.
“The thing is,” Tucker is the serious one for a change. “I feel like this thing with Taryn could be important. That she could even be the one. If that’s the case, I don’t want her to choose me out of some ultimatum. I want her to choose me because I’m the one she wants.”
Who knew that my goofy best friend could be so eloquent?
“I’m with Tucker. And we appreciate Taryn’s honesty about you. She didn’t expect to see you again, but she said she used to like you back in South Carolina.”
Surprise is written all over Nash’s face. “She did? I had this huge crush on her, too. But I was too chickenshit to even talk to her.”
“Really? You don’t strike me as the shy type.” I observe.
“I don’t know, dude.” Nash sighs. “Being on the hockey team made me popular. That meant I never had to work to get female attention. I’m sure you can all relate.”
We all nod.
“So I don’t know. When Taryn didn’t even look at me in class, I thought she wasn’t into me and I didn’t want to be shot down.”