Three player grind 1, p.7
Three Player Grind 1, page 7
“Yellow,” Dustin answered cheerfully.
I could make small talk, but that wasn’t us. “Where are you going for lunch?”
“Are you looking for suggestions? When you’re in Hawaii you don’t have McDonalds. Go find some local hole in the wall.”
I snorted a laugh. “Like you ever eat at McDonalds. And I’m not in Hawaii.” The second bit of my reply came out softly.
“What happened?”
“Work. And since the Disneyland thing with Joe… But now work is done.”
“I get it.”
I knew he would. A decade ago, Dustin would’ve given me grief over sacrificing a vacation because work asked, but my circumstances were extreme and his work habits were a lot less healthy than mine now.
“Speaking of…” He trailed off.
“You’re on a tight deadline and working through lunch?” And probably dinner.
“Bingo.”
I smiled at the empty room. “I get it.”
Dustin laughed. “Go take a drive. Head into the canyons and have lunch. Something. Enjoy the time to yourself.”
“Maybe.” The idea sounded fun, but I felt so strange not doing… anything. Come to think of it, I may have struggled to unwind going on vacation by myself anyway. I’d ask Dustin if he wanted to have dinner at any point this week, but he wouldn’t be free and neither would his partners, since they all worked together. “Tell Adrienne and Phillip I said hi.”
“I will. Don’t work.”
I rolled my eyes. “Byeee.”
I flopped back on my bed. Now what?
Fuck it. I needed to be busy and now seemed like the perfect time to do those little things around the house that were always waiting until I had more time. I made three lists on my phone, one for today, tomorrow, and Friday. I’d start small with replacing the interior doorknobs on the main floor to match the rest of the house, and deodorizing the carpet to get rid of the lingering cheese puff dust I was pretty sure was causing a faint funky smell.
When I stepped into the shower, a large dildo suction cupped to the seat winked back at me. Did Tanner see that? He’d have to be blind not to. At least it didn’t seem to change his impression of me, or maybe it had a little to do with why he came on so strong last night.
I wanted to be mortified, but I’d had his cock inside me, so we were probably past the point of this being TMI. And speaking of… Memories of last night would make any morning masturbation routine pale in comparison, so the dildo was going back in its drawer.
Shower done, hair pulled back, and toy stashed, I was on my way to the hardware store. I never knew where to find the little things here—the way this place was organized didn’t make sense to me. But an hour later, I had what I needed and I was home again.
I finished the doorknob on the half-bath off the kitchen, and was working on the one for the room Colin was staying in when I had the weirdest sensation I was being watched. I looked up and found Colin standing next to me, and my heart tried to leap from my chest. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
“Sorry.” He chuckled. “You didn’t hear me come in.”
“I didn’t expect anyone home for a while.”
He shrugged. “Deacon—the guy whose place I’m doing the painting in—had to close early for a family emergency. Are you evicting us and changing the locks already?” His teasing was undercut with the faintest hint of concern.
“I mean, once you give a guy a key to your place, he thinks he lives there or something,” I teased.
Colin’s smile was the kind of sweetness and sincerity that could melt a person’s insides. “The nerve of some men. Do you need any help?”
“This would be easier with a second set of hands.”
“I’ll put my hands wherever you tell me to.” Colin winced. “That came out wrong, didn’t it?”
So different from Tanner, and adorably sexy in his own way. “I think it sounded exactly the way you wanted it to,” I said.
“If you call me on shit like that, I’ll have to clean up my act.”
“Never change for someone else.” I paused and replayed my response in my head. “That came out way more seriously than I meant it to.”
Colin smirked. “Where do you want me boss?”
Face buried between my legs, using that skilled tongue of his.
Just because we didn’t put limits on future encounters, didn’t mean I needed to be daydreaming about jumping their bones every chance I got. “Hand me the next screw then hold this exactly where it is.” I nodded at the doorknob.
“Just assume there are going to be a lot of screw jokes racing through my head as we do this.” He handed me the hardware.
“Assume it’s the same for me.”
The work went a lot faster with Colin’s help, and I was double grateful he was there when it came time to push the couches to the edge of the living room.
“Explain this cheese puffs thing to me again,” Colin said. “I’m missing something. There’s not a speck of visible dirt in your house, but you’re worried about cheese in the carpet?”
Because I’d cleaned the place top to bottom before they arrived, and I had someone come in three times a week to stay on top of the mess. I tugged on my ponytail. “We bought this powder, and Harmony used way too much on the popcorn, then spilled the bowl on the floor in front of the TV. I’ve vacuumed a couple of times, but I can smell it still. That faint, decaying fake cheese scent.”
Colin wrinkled his nose. “You make it sound so appetizing.”
“It’s a gift.” I grabbed the deodorizer I’d bought at the hardware store, and sprinkled it liberally on the carpet. “The instructions say I have to wait before I vacuum it up. Wanna split that last beer with me?”
“Ms. Lane, are you trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me?” Colin’s scandalized voice rose an octave.
“Not at all. I want you completely sober when I take advantage of you.” Was that kind of joking allowed, especially with Colin? I had no idea. “But seriously, I just want to get it out of the fridge.”
Colin bowed and gestured toward the kitchen. “Sounds reasonable. After you.”
I grabbed the last beer from the fridge and turned to find Colin already waiting with the bottle opener. He popped the top. I took a short swallow and handed the drink to him.
“Tanner’s missing all the fun,” I teased.
A shadow crossed over Colin’s face, but it vanished so quickly I could have imagined it. “You can recruit him to help tomorrow,” Colin said.
Weird. “I don’t have anything nearly as interesting as installing doorknobs planned. I’m cleaning grout.”
“Maybe you could get him to put on a maid outfit and help.”
“A boy maid or a girl maid?” Because I could picture Tanner in a short black skirt that did nothing to hide those iron swimmer’s thighs. An unpleasant whiff of something reached me and I wrinkled my nose. That wasn’t me, was it? “Do you smell that?” I was almost afraid to ask.
Colin wore a similar expression. He lifted his arms and sniffed. “Pretty sure it’s not me.”
The smell was stronger now, and giving me flashbacks to my sorority days before I learned not to mix hard liquors. I followed my nose toward the living room, the scent growing more potent and vile with each step. Was it starting to burn my eyes?
12
tanner
I learned a long time ago how to turn off my brain while I was swimming or otherwise working out, so it was an easy decision for me to head straight for the pool after I left Daria’s. If I stopped to think, I’d dwell on last night. I couldn’t do that.
With my camera set up in its normal place, I dove into my personal time trials. I pushed until my body ached and my muscles screamed. I was so close to hitting my mark. Less than a second away. But my body wasn’t having it anymore; I needed to call it a morning.
I spent the next hour stretching, making sure I was careful with my shoulder, and doing all the exercises that became second-nature after physical therapy.
The instant I stopped, stripped, and stepped into the shower, my mind turned on again.
Last night was incredible—holy fuck, Daria blew my fantasies about her out of the water. She was an amazing combination of reserved and bold that made me want to unwrap her and explore her for hours. Again and again. Her body. Her mind.
I expected I’d discover something new every time.
I was glad no one else was in the locker room, to see my dick standing at attention in agreement. I dried off and dressed, clinging desperately to thoughts of Daria.
As I headed out to the parking lot, I lost my grip on the images of her, and Colin slammed in to take her place. I swore I could still feel his lips crushed to mine. The scruff of stubble burning my skin. The hunger in that connection. Enough that I’d been tempted to ask him for more than a kiss.
As I was walking out, John was coming in.
“Hold up.” I stopped him. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
“The building, are you selling it because of maintenance problems?” I wasn’t in the mood for subtext. Might as well ask him outright.
He stared back, shock on his face. “It does need work, yes. The other half hasn’t been open in a while and smells like chlorine. The HVAC over there needs work. But there’s nothing structurally wrong with it. No cracks in the foundation or anything like that.”
He sounded sincere, and usually I could read those things. Though, if I’d misread my feelings for Colin all these years—
Whoa, where did that come from?
“Cool. The bank was asking me some questions, so I’ll pass that along. Catch you around.” Either John was full of shit or Davenport had heard wrong. The second option seemed more likely, but John wasn’t going to tell me yeah, the place is falling apart if he wanted to sell.
I didn’t know what to think. About anything.
The library beckoned—a quiet place with no reminders or chances of running into my distractions.
Colin came out as bisexual when as we started high school. I hadn’t seen it coming; sometimes the obvious escaped me. I spent a lot of time wondering if maybe I was the same, bisexual or gay, and hadn’t realized that either. The pondering involved trying to imagine myself kissing other men. Kissing Colin. Asking Colin to help me experiment and figure it out.
One thing hadn’t escaped me though—Colin put up with a lot of teasing when he came out. I’d done everything I could to shut it down, and I never wanted him to think I was adding to it by saying hey, make out with me to see if I like it.
Beyond that, I couldn’t picture myself with another guy, and I really liked girls.
The easy answer was that I must be straight.
When I got settled into an isolated room in the library, I expected to lose myself in work, the way I had in my workout. I was looking up bankers and other contacts for loans, emailing, and hustling like crazy.
Sure I noticed when a man was attractive, but I couldn’t imagine myself with them. Going back to Daria’s questions last night, even when I was fucking around, hooking up with the male athletes didn’t appeal to me.
It had a little bit to do with the fact that homosexuality wasn’t only barely becoming acceptable in athletic forums. An athlete never knew who might out them. But I hadn’t missed the experience, or been disappointed that I couldn’t have it.
But after last night…
Was the experience stuck in my head because it was new and amazing, or because I wanted more? From Colin? From someone else?
I tried for a few hours to get through my work. This would be so much easier if I knew anyone who worked with this kind of loan. True, contacts weren’t always necessary, but we were looking for a significant amount of money, and being able to drop a name or two would make a difference.
With a dozen emails sent off, and thoughts of last night still racing through my mind, I packed up my stuff to head back to the pool for another practice run.
There were two texts from Colin as I left the library.
Where are you?
When you get to Daria’s, we’re upstairs. I’ll explain then.
Jealousy surged inside, so intense I felt it in my neck. Who did I envy more—Colin or Daria? This kind of reaction didn’t belong in one-night stands, but telling myself that didn’t push the feeling aside.
Thoughts of the pool were gone, I needed to be at Daria’s instead, whether or not it was a rational decision. When I stepped inside her place, the smell hit me hard. It was vomit carried on heavy, warm air. The back doors and windows were open, and two box fans sat near the patio door, blowing out.
Was someone sick? Concern filtered through me.
I headed upstairs. Daria’s door was closed, and her laughter mingled with Colin’s and flitted into the hallway. Worry plus envy meant I was the one who was going to be ill. I knocked.
“S’open,” Daria called.
I pushed into the room.
“But close it fast,” she added quickly. She was sitting on her bed in a lightweight tank top and thin shorts, and it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. The distinct topography of her chest--aka her rock-hard nipples—also accentuated the fact that it was about ten degrees cooler in here than in the rest of the house.
Colin sat next to her, not wearing much more, and they were both flushed and smiling.
I wasn’t used to being at a loss for words. “What happened?” It wasn’t a complicated question, but it covered a lot of territory.
Daria laughed and ducked her head. “Impromptu chemistry lesson.”
The kind that showed what kind of sparks I swore were flying between the two of them? I had no right, but that didn’t stop me from stewing in jealousy.
13
colin
“What kind of chemistry?” Tanner asked. There was no way he was watching us with jealousy. I’d been trying to get him to notice me for how long, and he was hooked on Daria in a night? After all that bullshit about casual hookups?
I wasn’t quite being fair, since we’d known Daria for longer than a day or two, and I could absolutely see myself spending more time with her. Not just because of last night, but after today, too.
And wow I was bad at getting over Tanner. I wanted them both again. And again. “We learned if you mix the wrong kind of carpet powder with powdered cheese”—I wrinkled my nose—“whew it’s bad. You smelled it when you got here, but it was way worse a few hours ago.”
“Air’s off to keep the smell from circulating, the windows are open downstairs to get rid of the stench, and someone is coming tomorrow to fix my mistake,” Daria said. “Until then, we’re self-quarantined in our own little biome for the night.”
Tanner’s entire posture changed as he relaxed.
Daria patted the mattress. “Kick off your shoes and join us. Tell us about your day.”
He didn’t hesitate, and I was surprised he sat next to me rather than diving between Daria and me. There was enough distance between us that I couldn’t feel him, but he was still close enough to reach out and grab my neck and pull me in for a kiss. A long, heavy, hungry—
“Well?” I asked partly to keep my mind from wandering and at least a little because Tanner was quiet.
“Well what?”
This was odd for him, not launching into conversation any chance he got. “How was your day?” I poked his arm. “Are you sure you’re Tanner?” He felt like Tanner. Fuck, I could dig my fingers into those biceps and just hold on for dear life.
Any resolve I had from yesterday was already shot. One taste, and I wanted him more than ever. The way I’d been sitting up here with Daria laughing over the simplest things, like the most ridiculous versus the best swimsuit episodes in anime, made me want her more too. Knowing both desires were doomed didn’t dampen either one.
“It was a fantastic day.” Tanner’s trademark grin was back, brighter than I expected.
Too bright? Nah. “Just like that? No details?”
“I’m milliseconds from making my qualifying time,” Tanner said.
“That is fantastic. Way to go.” I offered him a high five. One more chance at the Olympics meant more to him than anything, and I wanted him to have that.
Daria gave him a quick hug. “That’s awesome, seriously.”
Why couldn’t I be that casual? Because we were guys and I’d take my own gestures wrong. Sigh.
“But it wasn’t all good.” I couldn’t ignore that something was off.
Tanner shrugged. “It’s harder than I thought finding people at banks to talk to me, and I’m getting conflicting information about the condition of the building.” He looked at me. “I need your time and talent, to make this proposal shine.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll be done with the mural in a few days, and you can have me any other time we’re not in lessons.” I winced mentally at my own phrasing. “Daria knows people, and she’s offered to help us…”
“And I mean it. In fact, Carly will take a look at the building for you and tell you exactly what’s up,” Daria said. “I’ll ask her tomorrow. And I’m happy to give your proposal a look and give you some lender names. I’d hook you up at work, but you don’t want investors. Not until you decide to franchise. You want a loan that you pay off and you’re done.”
“What’s a Carly?” I asked.
“My best friend, my sanity, and the best fucking commercial appraiser in the world.”
Tanner wrinkled his nose. “We can’t.”
“Can’t what? Why not?” I’d missed something.
“We can’t ask Daria for help. This is her job.”
Daria raised her brows. “You teach my girls to swim.”
“You pay us for it,” Tanner said.
Daria sighed. “We’re friends. Aren’t we? Friends help friends, and I know what I’m offering.”
The more time I spent with her, the more I found about her to adore. Was I doomed to crush on everyone who was nice to me? I wasn’t having these hang-ups with Deacon. Was it because I knew he’d reciprocate? “We’d love your help.”
I could make small talk, but that wasn’t us. “Where are you going for lunch?”
“Are you looking for suggestions? When you’re in Hawaii you don’t have McDonalds. Go find some local hole in the wall.”
I snorted a laugh. “Like you ever eat at McDonalds. And I’m not in Hawaii.” The second bit of my reply came out softly.
“What happened?”
“Work. And since the Disneyland thing with Joe… But now work is done.”
“I get it.”
I knew he would. A decade ago, Dustin would’ve given me grief over sacrificing a vacation because work asked, but my circumstances were extreme and his work habits were a lot less healthy than mine now.
“Speaking of…” He trailed off.
“You’re on a tight deadline and working through lunch?” And probably dinner.
“Bingo.”
I smiled at the empty room. “I get it.”
Dustin laughed. “Go take a drive. Head into the canyons and have lunch. Something. Enjoy the time to yourself.”
“Maybe.” The idea sounded fun, but I felt so strange not doing… anything. Come to think of it, I may have struggled to unwind going on vacation by myself anyway. I’d ask Dustin if he wanted to have dinner at any point this week, but he wouldn’t be free and neither would his partners, since they all worked together. “Tell Adrienne and Phillip I said hi.”
“I will. Don’t work.”
I rolled my eyes. “Byeee.”
I flopped back on my bed. Now what?
Fuck it. I needed to be busy and now seemed like the perfect time to do those little things around the house that were always waiting until I had more time. I made three lists on my phone, one for today, tomorrow, and Friday. I’d start small with replacing the interior doorknobs on the main floor to match the rest of the house, and deodorizing the carpet to get rid of the lingering cheese puff dust I was pretty sure was causing a faint funky smell.
When I stepped into the shower, a large dildo suction cupped to the seat winked back at me. Did Tanner see that? He’d have to be blind not to. At least it didn’t seem to change his impression of me, or maybe it had a little to do with why he came on so strong last night.
I wanted to be mortified, but I’d had his cock inside me, so we were probably past the point of this being TMI. And speaking of… Memories of last night would make any morning masturbation routine pale in comparison, so the dildo was going back in its drawer.
Shower done, hair pulled back, and toy stashed, I was on my way to the hardware store. I never knew where to find the little things here—the way this place was organized didn’t make sense to me. But an hour later, I had what I needed and I was home again.
I finished the doorknob on the half-bath off the kitchen, and was working on the one for the room Colin was staying in when I had the weirdest sensation I was being watched. I looked up and found Colin standing next to me, and my heart tried to leap from my chest. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
“Sorry.” He chuckled. “You didn’t hear me come in.”
“I didn’t expect anyone home for a while.”
He shrugged. “Deacon—the guy whose place I’m doing the painting in—had to close early for a family emergency. Are you evicting us and changing the locks already?” His teasing was undercut with the faintest hint of concern.
“I mean, once you give a guy a key to your place, he thinks he lives there or something,” I teased.
Colin’s smile was the kind of sweetness and sincerity that could melt a person’s insides. “The nerve of some men. Do you need any help?”
“This would be easier with a second set of hands.”
“I’ll put my hands wherever you tell me to.” Colin winced. “That came out wrong, didn’t it?”
So different from Tanner, and adorably sexy in his own way. “I think it sounded exactly the way you wanted it to,” I said.
“If you call me on shit like that, I’ll have to clean up my act.”
“Never change for someone else.” I paused and replayed my response in my head. “That came out way more seriously than I meant it to.”
Colin smirked. “Where do you want me boss?”
Face buried between my legs, using that skilled tongue of his.
Just because we didn’t put limits on future encounters, didn’t mean I needed to be daydreaming about jumping their bones every chance I got. “Hand me the next screw then hold this exactly where it is.” I nodded at the doorknob.
“Just assume there are going to be a lot of screw jokes racing through my head as we do this.” He handed me the hardware.
“Assume it’s the same for me.”
The work went a lot faster with Colin’s help, and I was double grateful he was there when it came time to push the couches to the edge of the living room.
“Explain this cheese puffs thing to me again,” Colin said. “I’m missing something. There’s not a speck of visible dirt in your house, but you’re worried about cheese in the carpet?”
Because I’d cleaned the place top to bottom before they arrived, and I had someone come in three times a week to stay on top of the mess. I tugged on my ponytail. “We bought this powder, and Harmony used way too much on the popcorn, then spilled the bowl on the floor in front of the TV. I’ve vacuumed a couple of times, but I can smell it still. That faint, decaying fake cheese scent.”
Colin wrinkled his nose. “You make it sound so appetizing.”
“It’s a gift.” I grabbed the deodorizer I’d bought at the hardware store, and sprinkled it liberally on the carpet. “The instructions say I have to wait before I vacuum it up. Wanna split that last beer with me?”
“Ms. Lane, are you trying to get me drunk to take advantage of me?” Colin’s scandalized voice rose an octave.
“Not at all. I want you completely sober when I take advantage of you.” Was that kind of joking allowed, especially with Colin? I had no idea. “But seriously, I just want to get it out of the fridge.”
Colin bowed and gestured toward the kitchen. “Sounds reasonable. After you.”
I grabbed the last beer from the fridge and turned to find Colin already waiting with the bottle opener. He popped the top. I took a short swallow and handed the drink to him.
“Tanner’s missing all the fun,” I teased.
A shadow crossed over Colin’s face, but it vanished so quickly I could have imagined it. “You can recruit him to help tomorrow,” Colin said.
Weird. “I don’t have anything nearly as interesting as installing doorknobs planned. I’m cleaning grout.”
“Maybe you could get him to put on a maid outfit and help.”
“A boy maid or a girl maid?” Because I could picture Tanner in a short black skirt that did nothing to hide those iron swimmer’s thighs. An unpleasant whiff of something reached me and I wrinkled my nose. That wasn’t me, was it? “Do you smell that?” I was almost afraid to ask.
Colin wore a similar expression. He lifted his arms and sniffed. “Pretty sure it’s not me.”
The smell was stronger now, and giving me flashbacks to my sorority days before I learned not to mix hard liquors. I followed my nose toward the living room, the scent growing more potent and vile with each step. Was it starting to burn my eyes?
12
tanner
I learned a long time ago how to turn off my brain while I was swimming or otherwise working out, so it was an easy decision for me to head straight for the pool after I left Daria’s. If I stopped to think, I’d dwell on last night. I couldn’t do that.
With my camera set up in its normal place, I dove into my personal time trials. I pushed until my body ached and my muscles screamed. I was so close to hitting my mark. Less than a second away. But my body wasn’t having it anymore; I needed to call it a morning.
I spent the next hour stretching, making sure I was careful with my shoulder, and doing all the exercises that became second-nature after physical therapy.
The instant I stopped, stripped, and stepped into the shower, my mind turned on again.
Last night was incredible—holy fuck, Daria blew my fantasies about her out of the water. She was an amazing combination of reserved and bold that made me want to unwrap her and explore her for hours. Again and again. Her body. Her mind.
I expected I’d discover something new every time.
I was glad no one else was in the locker room, to see my dick standing at attention in agreement. I dried off and dressed, clinging desperately to thoughts of Daria.
As I headed out to the parking lot, I lost my grip on the images of her, and Colin slammed in to take her place. I swore I could still feel his lips crushed to mine. The scruff of stubble burning my skin. The hunger in that connection. Enough that I’d been tempted to ask him for more than a kiss.
As I was walking out, John was coming in.
“Hold up.” I stopped him. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
“The building, are you selling it because of maintenance problems?” I wasn’t in the mood for subtext. Might as well ask him outright.
He stared back, shock on his face. “It does need work, yes. The other half hasn’t been open in a while and smells like chlorine. The HVAC over there needs work. But there’s nothing structurally wrong with it. No cracks in the foundation or anything like that.”
He sounded sincere, and usually I could read those things. Though, if I’d misread my feelings for Colin all these years—
Whoa, where did that come from?
“Cool. The bank was asking me some questions, so I’ll pass that along. Catch you around.” Either John was full of shit or Davenport had heard wrong. The second option seemed more likely, but John wasn’t going to tell me yeah, the place is falling apart if he wanted to sell.
I didn’t know what to think. About anything.
The library beckoned—a quiet place with no reminders or chances of running into my distractions.
Colin came out as bisexual when as we started high school. I hadn’t seen it coming; sometimes the obvious escaped me. I spent a lot of time wondering if maybe I was the same, bisexual or gay, and hadn’t realized that either. The pondering involved trying to imagine myself kissing other men. Kissing Colin. Asking Colin to help me experiment and figure it out.
One thing hadn’t escaped me though—Colin put up with a lot of teasing when he came out. I’d done everything I could to shut it down, and I never wanted him to think I was adding to it by saying hey, make out with me to see if I like it.
Beyond that, I couldn’t picture myself with another guy, and I really liked girls.
The easy answer was that I must be straight.
When I got settled into an isolated room in the library, I expected to lose myself in work, the way I had in my workout. I was looking up bankers and other contacts for loans, emailing, and hustling like crazy.
Sure I noticed when a man was attractive, but I couldn’t imagine myself with them. Going back to Daria’s questions last night, even when I was fucking around, hooking up with the male athletes didn’t appeal to me.
It had a little bit to do with the fact that homosexuality wasn’t only barely becoming acceptable in athletic forums. An athlete never knew who might out them. But I hadn’t missed the experience, or been disappointed that I couldn’t have it.
But after last night…
Was the experience stuck in my head because it was new and amazing, or because I wanted more? From Colin? From someone else?
I tried for a few hours to get through my work. This would be so much easier if I knew anyone who worked with this kind of loan. True, contacts weren’t always necessary, but we were looking for a significant amount of money, and being able to drop a name or two would make a difference.
With a dozen emails sent off, and thoughts of last night still racing through my mind, I packed up my stuff to head back to the pool for another practice run.
There were two texts from Colin as I left the library.
Where are you?
When you get to Daria’s, we’re upstairs. I’ll explain then.
Jealousy surged inside, so intense I felt it in my neck. Who did I envy more—Colin or Daria? This kind of reaction didn’t belong in one-night stands, but telling myself that didn’t push the feeling aside.
Thoughts of the pool were gone, I needed to be at Daria’s instead, whether or not it was a rational decision. When I stepped inside her place, the smell hit me hard. It was vomit carried on heavy, warm air. The back doors and windows were open, and two box fans sat near the patio door, blowing out.
Was someone sick? Concern filtered through me.
I headed upstairs. Daria’s door was closed, and her laughter mingled with Colin’s and flitted into the hallway. Worry plus envy meant I was the one who was going to be ill. I knocked.
“S’open,” Daria called.
I pushed into the room.
“But close it fast,” she added quickly. She was sitting on her bed in a lightweight tank top and thin shorts, and it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. The distinct topography of her chest--aka her rock-hard nipples—also accentuated the fact that it was about ten degrees cooler in here than in the rest of the house.
Colin sat next to her, not wearing much more, and they were both flushed and smiling.
I wasn’t used to being at a loss for words. “What happened?” It wasn’t a complicated question, but it covered a lot of territory.
Daria laughed and ducked her head. “Impromptu chemistry lesson.”
The kind that showed what kind of sparks I swore were flying between the two of them? I had no right, but that didn’t stop me from stewing in jealousy.
13
colin
“What kind of chemistry?” Tanner asked. There was no way he was watching us with jealousy. I’d been trying to get him to notice me for how long, and he was hooked on Daria in a night? After all that bullshit about casual hookups?
I wasn’t quite being fair, since we’d known Daria for longer than a day or two, and I could absolutely see myself spending more time with her. Not just because of last night, but after today, too.
And wow I was bad at getting over Tanner. I wanted them both again. And again. “We learned if you mix the wrong kind of carpet powder with powdered cheese”—I wrinkled my nose—“whew it’s bad. You smelled it when you got here, but it was way worse a few hours ago.”
“Air’s off to keep the smell from circulating, the windows are open downstairs to get rid of the stench, and someone is coming tomorrow to fix my mistake,” Daria said. “Until then, we’re self-quarantined in our own little biome for the night.”
Tanner’s entire posture changed as he relaxed.
Daria patted the mattress. “Kick off your shoes and join us. Tell us about your day.”
He didn’t hesitate, and I was surprised he sat next to me rather than diving between Daria and me. There was enough distance between us that I couldn’t feel him, but he was still close enough to reach out and grab my neck and pull me in for a kiss. A long, heavy, hungry—
“Well?” I asked partly to keep my mind from wandering and at least a little because Tanner was quiet.
“Well what?”
This was odd for him, not launching into conversation any chance he got. “How was your day?” I poked his arm. “Are you sure you’re Tanner?” He felt like Tanner. Fuck, I could dig my fingers into those biceps and just hold on for dear life.
Any resolve I had from yesterday was already shot. One taste, and I wanted him more than ever. The way I’d been sitting up here with Daria laughing over the simplest things, like the most ridiculous versus the best swimsuit episodes in anime, made me want her more too. Knowing both desires were doomed didn’t dampen either one.
“It was a fantastic day.” Tanner’s trademark grin was back, brighter than I expected.
Too bright? Nah. “Just like that? No details?”
“I’m milliseconds from making my qualifying time,” Tanner said.
“That is fantastic. Way to go.” I offered him a high five. One more chance at the Olympics meant more to him than anything, and I wanted him to have that.
Daria gave him a quick hug. “That’s awesome, seriously.”
Why couldn’t I be that casual? Because we were guys and I’d take my own gestures wrong. Sigh.
“But it wasn’t all good.” I couldn’t ignore that something was off.
Tanner shrugged. “It’s harder than I thought finding people at banks to talk to me, and I’m getting conflicting information about the condition of the building.” He looked at me. “I need your time and talent, to make this proposal shine.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll be done with the mural in a few days, and you can have me any other time we’re not in lessons.” I winced mentally at my own phrasing. “Daria knows people, and she’s offered to help us…”
“And I mean it. In fact, Carly will take a look at the building for you and tell you exactly what’s up,” Daria said. “I’ll ask her tomorrow. And I’m happy to give your proposal a look and give you some lender names. I’d hook you up at work, but you don’t want investors. Not until you decide to franchise. You want a loan that you pay off and you’re done.”
“What’s a Carly?” I asked.
“My best friend, my sanity, and the best fucking commercial appraiser in the world.”
Tanner wrinkled his nose. “We can’t.”
“Can’t what? Why not?” I’d missed something.
“We can’t ask Daria for help. This is her job.”
Daria raised her brows. “You teach my girls to swim.”
“You pay us for it,” Tanner said.
Daria sighed. “We’re friends. Aren’t we? Friends help friends, and I know what I’m offering.”
The more time I spent with her, the more I found about her to adore. Was I doomed to crush on everyone who was nice to me? I wasn’t having these hang-ups with Deacon. Was it because I knew he’d reciprocate? “We’d love your help.”
