6. A Real Deal
A Real Deal
Jamie
I wish Bex were here with me. It turns out that without her in my arms I can’t sleep.
It’s probably a combination of the events of the past few hours and the excitement for a brand new season about to start. My last season with the Cove Knights before I graduate and turn pro in the fall.
Star Cove has been my home for the past three years, and my teammates have become more than friends. They’ve become family. I hope to find the same sense of brotherhood, the same tight-knit friendships I found here.
I know it doesn’t always work that way with the pros. I signed an entry level contract with the San Francisco Paladins, and while I’m looking forward to stepping on NHL ice; I know that I’ll miss the support network I have here.
The anxiety I feel at the idea of being alone in a new city is similar to the nerves of freshman year, when I didn’t know anyone on campus.
Maybe I don’t have to be alone.
The thought crosses my mind as I flip from my stomach to my back, staring at the ceiling of my bedroom.
Maybe I could move to San Francisco with my girlfriend.
This thing with Bex started as a relationship of convenience. I got to clean up my playboy image and get the Dean off my back, and Bex got a place to stay when she needed a fresh start.
From the moment we met, I thought Bex was hot. I mean, you’d have to be blind not to see how stunning she is.
What I didn’t expect was getting so close to her so quickly.
The chemistry between us is explosive. I get hard just thinking about her soft skin and her sexy body with curves in all the right places.
But the attraction between us isn’t just physical. Bex is smart, sweet, funny and thoughtful.
Would she consider turning our fake relationship into a real one?
I know she’s attracted to Connor, too. But I meant what I said the night we watched the game together.
I’m confident enough that I don’t feel threatened by someone I consider one of my closest friends.
Connor is a brother to me, even though we don’t share any DNA.
The noise of the front door slamming shut pulls me out of my reveries.
I hear Connor and Keene’s voices, but they aren’t loud enough to make out what they’re saying.
Sleep is out of the question at this point; I feel too wired to settle down.
“Hey, how did it go at the station?” I ask, opening my bedroom door.
Connor stretches his arms above his head, yawning loudly. “It was ok. Of course we’ll have to wait for the results, but Hunter reassured us that it really is just a formality. Finding that scrap of fabric helped a great deal in getting us out of the suspect list.”
“Thank fuck.” Keene agrees, bending down to pick up Poonani, who’s wrapping her tail around his legs, purring loudly. “All thanks to my clever baby girl.”
The cat rubs its head against Keene’s face, its purring reaching maximum volume.
“It’s uncanny how that cat turns into a teddy bear with you.” I chuckle.
Keene grabs a treat from the jar he keeps in the kitchen, offering it to the kitty. “We’re kindred spirits. We help each other out.”
“I think Poonani is warming up to us, too.” Connor says, approaching Keene to pet the cat.
“Hiss.” From the safety of Keene’s arms, Poonani swats at Connor with her paw, claws out.
Connor jumps back faster than if he had found himself in the trajectory of a slapshot. “Fuck! I guess not. Forgive me for thinking we were friends. I guess you just like me when I’m performing as a can opener if Keene has class during your preferred feeding times.”
“ Meow .” Poonani confirms, licking her paw and looking extremely pleased with herself.
Keene places her gently on the floor. He’s clearly struggling not to laugh at Connor’s reaction.
“She’s a cat, dude. She’s a predator, and she considers all humans beneath her unless she wants something. If you want to be showered with love twenty-four seven, get a dog.”
“She never lashes at you.” Connor glares as Poonani saunters over to Keene’s bedroom.
Keene shrugs. “I’m her person. When I found her, she was injured, and I took care of her.
So she learned to trust my touch. Anyway, I’m going to follow Poonani’s lead and go lie down for a couple of hours.
I want to be at my best for UCLA tonight.
So I hope you and your girlfriend keep the noise levels down. ” The last part is directed at me.
“Bex isn’t here.” I offer. “She was invited to get ready with the Zetas. Luke dropped her off.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” Connor muses.
“We have to be at the arena well in advance to warm up, and I doubt Coach would be amused if you brought your girlfriend into the locker room. But it’s good that she isn’t going to be alone.
Ares was adamant that until we know more about her stalker, it’s better to avoid leaving her alone. ”
I clasp Connor’s shoulder. “Thank you, Con. I appreciate your looking out for Bex.”
His shoulders tense for a moment, then he looks me in the eye.
“I don’t know how you’re going to feel about this, Jamie.
But the truth is that I care about Bex. More than I thought I could.
Especially after my breakup. It totally snuck up on me, and if you’re pissed and want me to stop even thinking about her, I will do that.
Our friendship is important to me, and I know she’s yours.
So just say the word, and I’ll back off.
But I kinda would like to see if she feels the same way about me. ”
I would be lying if I said that I’m surprised. The chemistry between Bex and Connor was obvious the night of the game.
But the real question is how do I feel about it?
I squeeze Connor’s shoulder before letting it go. “I have one question before I can answer yours.”
“Shoot.”
“You say you want to pursue Bex in a romantic way. Let’s say she reciprocates your interest. Would you expect me to step away from my relationship with her in that case?”
Connor considers my words. “Shit. I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about that. I mean, if not, how would this even work?”
“Bex loved being with us that night. She said she would love to get to know you better. I’ve given it some thought, and you and I are best friends. If you want her and she likes you back, I’m happy for the two of you.” I explain. “As long as you’re happy for me and Bex, too.”
He looks confused. “I mean, I want you to be happy. And I’ve never seen you this happy before you started dating Bex. But what would we do? How would a relationship where Bex was with both of us even work?”
I shrug, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips at the memory of what happened between me, Bex, and Connor.
“It worked out pretty well the night we watched the Bridgeport game together. We could have more nights like that one. But each of us could also have one-on-one time with Bex. Take her on dates and stuff like that. We could make things work if we wanted to. Aside from the physical stuff, you and I are friends. We already like to hang out. Adding Bex to the mix could only make it more fun.”
I can practically see the cogs moving in Connor’s head as he takes in what I just said.
“When you put it that way, it doesn’t sound impossible. Don’t you think we might get jealous though?”
I answer honestly. “It could happen. Jealousy can be a problem even in a relationship with two people in it. We’d deal with it as it happens. As long as neither of us tries to get Bex to choose between us, we’ll work things out like in any relationship.”
Connor chuckles, clearly still a little nervous. “When you put it that way… maybe having you in the mix will help me get over my trust issues. After Fiona, trust is my biggest hang up.”
“I understand. But look at it this way. Everything is out in the open, and we talk about any issues in an honest way. There is going to be no reason to worry about cheating. Besides, Bex isn’t your ex.”
Connor nods. “I know she isn’t. Or I would never even consider getting involved with her.”
“Ok, then.” I smile. “Make your move as soon as possible. Maybe even tonight at the Gamma house party after the game. I’m sure Bex likes you back.”
He grabs my elbow in a bro-shake, and we smile at each other.
Someone clears their throat, and I just realize that Keene has been watching our exchange, leaning against the back of the couch.
Connor
Keene is watching me and Jamie with a quizzical look on his face.
His arms are crossed over his chest when he addresses both of us.
“What the fuck are you guys talking about? I got hit by a puck in the head during practice this morning, but I thought my helmet protected me and I was feeling fine. But maybe I need to go see the team doctor before tonight’s game and make sure I don’t have a concussion.
It must be that. If not, I’d say you’re seriously talking about sharing Bex.
Like in both of you being in a relationship with her and having threesomes?
My hearing must be failing me, because I could swear that you implied you already had a threesome with Bex. ”
I think about how to explain the situation to Keene, but Jamie precedes me.
“We aren’t implying it. We did have a threesome with Bex.” He offers, completely unperturbed by the way Keene’s jaw drops.
“Shut the fuck up.” He barks, his tone a mixture of shock and amusement.
I intervene. “Jamie and I were watching the Bridgeport game about a month ago. Bex joined us, and we were talking about how Luca Leighton-Rossi, Blaze Dunne and Cash Hanbury are all married to the same woman. Bex is a fan of all three. We started joking about how such a relationship would work, and then one thing led to another, and… it was fucking hot.”
“The hottest.” Jamie agrees.
It looks like Keene is processing what he just heard. He looks from me to Jamie for a few beats.
“And now you want to do it again?”
Jamie nods. “And again, and again.”
“And she’s into it?” His voice goes up an octave with every question.
“It appears so, yes.”