Somebody kill me.

  I’d noticed the barbell piercing through his right nipple earlier. It made me furious to think about anyone else seeing it, so I’d demanded he put his shirt on before leaving the locker room. Now all I can do is stare at it and wonder how sensitive he is with it in. When I finally look up, he wipes his brow and focuses his fiery eyes on me. It pushes me to turn away. It’s like he’s playing a game of chicken to see who’ll give in first, and if I’m not careful, I’ll be the one who loses.

  “Alright, hit the showers. We’ll see you guys tomorrow,” I call out a little early to get Avery out of my sight and off my mind.

  Once Coach Brown and I lock up the gym, we go our separate ways. As I stalk to my office, I’m a mess of need. I slam the door, flop down in my chair, and force myself to concentrate on the plays I’ve been working on. From what I’ve seen, our starting lineup is fierce, and our second string is almost as good. We could take the Division Championship this year with the right strategy and maybe even make it to a bowl game.

  I stand and stretch after a few minutes, then head to the locker room to make sure everything’s cleaned up. The sound of a shower still running draws me to the back. How hard is it to turn it off before you walk away?

  As I approach the stall, a loud moan echoes through the room. I step around the wall and freeze.

  The open curtain gives me a full view of Avery, head thrown back. A cluster of suds travels down from the thick cords of his neck. I follow their path down his chest to his waist and nearly swallow my tongue. He strokes his engorged cock from root to tip in long, measured movements. I stare, mesmerized by the sight, and I know I should flee the room, but my legs won’t obey the command.

  “Yeeessss,” he hisses as he works his hand faster. “Fuck, that’s good, Coach.”

  Heat travels from my head to my toes when I realize he’s fantasizing about me. I rub myself over the soft material of my gym shorts, and a groan escapes before I can stop it. Avery stills for a second before continuing to work himself. He takes his free hand and rubs across his chest, tweaking the piercing in his nipple I’d been obsessing over all day.

  What the fuck am I doing?

  I pivot and quietly hurry from the room back to my office. I lock the door, yanking my shorts down to my knees before the latch even engages. A tight grip and two strokes later have me shooting my load all over the linoleum floor. I bang my head against the door and wait for my breathing to slow and regain my equilibrium.

  When the blood finally returns to my brain, I grab an old sweat towel and clean up the mess. I’ve got to get out of here without Avery knowing I was watching him like some pervert. I gather my things and run out of the office like my ass is on fire. The best thing I can do is stay as far away from Avery as possible.

  If only it were that simple.

  I’d never been happier to hear from anyone than when Nico called this afternoon to invite me out for a couple of beers with him and Knox. As I drive to Sullivan’s, images of Avery in the shower from the day before flip through my mind, and I shift in my seat to relieve my aching hard-on. I need to be around other people to get my mind off Avery, and a night out with the guys sounds perfect.

  By the time I arrive, I’ve got my wayward dick under control. When I walk in and scan the place, I spot Nico right away, seated at a table in the back with Knox beside him. I make a quick pit stop at the bar and grab a pitcher of my favorite beer. After the week I’ve had, I might need to call a cab to pick me up because I intend to drink the whole thing. Maybe I won’t dream of Avery again if I get drunk enough to pass out.

  “Hey man, what’s going on? You look like shit.” Leave it to Nico to pull no punches. He’d been that way growing up. You always knew where you stood with him. Prison hadn’t changed him in the least.

  “Thanks,” I reply dryly.

  He stands and pats me on the back. “Sorry. You look tired, though.” He has no idea.

  I hold out a hand to Knox, who takes it with a firm grip. “What’s up, brother?”

  “Can’t complain. Good to see you.”

  We take our seats, and I pour myself a beer, taking a long pull.

  “So, what’s wrong?” Nico’s like a dog with a bone. Even when we were kids, if he thought something was wrong, he’d hound you until you finally got tired of his persistence and gave in. He always wanted to fix things.

  “Nothing I want to talk about. How are Ian and Ethan?” I asked, knowing he’d rather talk about Ian any day than listen to my sob story of how I’ve been lusting after one of my players.

  Nico gives a big, toothy grin. “Ian’s fucking amazing, of course. I’m the luckiest fucker around.”

  “Ethan’s good. He takes good care of me. I definitely have no complaints.” Knox’s smile is just as big. No one could ever doubt they love their men.

  “Good. Good. I’m happy for you guys.” Envious as fuck, but happy nonetheless.

  “Out with it, Nash,” Nico demands, seeing through my stall tactic.

  I watch the condensation drip down my glass and think about how to answer. “There’s nothing to tell. One of the players on my team is giving me trouble.”

  “Trouble, how?” Knox sits straighter, ready to go to battle for me.

  “Not the kind of trouble you’re thinking. Fuck, man. He’s hot as hell and flirts with me every chance he gets, but I’ve ignored his advances.” Exhaustion bleeds into my voice. I’ve barely slept the last few weeks. I wake up every night in a sweat, with sheets twisted around my torso and my hand wrapped around my cock.

  Knox leans back, crossing his arms, and studies me for a minute before he says anything. I take another sip of beer and wait for his reply. “Seems to me you might be thinking of him the same way.”

  I decide to be honest with them and pray they won’t judge me because I need someone to talk to. “Shit! Is it that obvious?” I hope they only notice because they know me, and I’m not telegraphing my feelings to everyone. It won’t do Avery or me any good for anyone at school to detect anything between us.

  “I don’t see the problem. Sounds like he wants you as much as you do him. I say take what you want.”

  Knox huffs out a laugh and shakes his head at Nico. “Of course, that’s your advice.”

  “Hey, it worked for me.” Nico shrugs, unapologetic for his high handiness with Ian.

  “Um, hello. He’s a student at the university and one of my players, not to mention he’s much younger than me.”

  “Is there a rule against it?” Knox asks.

  “I don’t remember seeing one in my contract, but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. I can’t imagine the Dean would be thrilled about it.” I’m not sure I’m okay with it. As much as I want Avery, I don’t want to ruin either of our careers.

  “So, you’re going to hold yourself back for however long he has left on the team. Seems crazy to me. Go for it. I say take what he’s offering.”

  I roll my eyes and look at Knox, the more reasonable of the two.

  He shrugs. “I agree with Nico on this one. You won’t be able to fight it forever if it’s already bothering you this much. Trust me. I speak from experience.”

  I slouch in my chair, knowing they’re right. I want Avery more than I’ve ever wanted another person in my life. But I’m too old for him, for starters, and I’m in a position of authority over him. On paper, we don’t work, but I can’t deny the sizzling chemistry between us.

  “He’s so young, though. I feel like a dirty old man.”

  “Ian and Ethan are young, too. But your guy’s in college, not preschool.”

  The difference is I’m his coach. “Alright, let’s talk about something else. I’ll think about it.”

  I slump in my chair and listen to Nico and Knox talk about something happening at the shop. I nod in all the appropriate places and grunt a response when needed but only catch half of what they say. Could my friends be right? Could I have what I want with Avery?

  I’m ready to settle down with someone special. Maybe he’s just looking for some fun. I’m not getting any younger and want more from a relationship. Is it worth getting my heart broken over? I did the one-night stand thing at the beginning of my NFL career, and it quickly lost its luster. I can’t imagine Avery wanting to be tied down to an old guy like me. But I know the only way to get him out of my system is to give in.

  Knox and Nico are right. I need to make a decision and go for it because it’s killing me to hold him off, and I don’t know how much more willpower I have left. I either need to talk to him about it or put an end to whatever’s happening once and for all, even if it means threatening him with being kicked off the team.

  7

  If anyone had paid attention during practice today, they’d have noticed my exaggerated moves. I may have leaned over a bit too much or thrust my hips out a little farther than necessary as we did squats. I’d purposely forgone my jockstrap and just stuck to my boxers under my shorts, so everything was naturally loose. Eric noticed. I saw him watching me, hands fisted at his side, sweat beading on his forehead. But all the teasing did was make me hornier than hell.

  And now that it’s over, I can’t get to the locker room and in the shower fast enough. I strip and wrap a towel around my waist. No need for the other guys to see my boner. It might lead to questions I’m not ready to answer.

  I take my time and wait out the few other guys in no hurry to rush home. Once I’m sure the locker room is clear, I don’t waste any time taking my dick in hand and giving it several long pulls. I moan as I picture Eric’s hand wrapped around me instead of my own and him behind me with his cock wedged between my ass cheeks, moving up and down, bumping my hole on the upstroke.

  He tweaks my nipple piercing with his other hand as his soapy front slides against my back. “Coach” leaves my lips before I can stop it. An answering groan tells me I’m not as alone as I think, but I’m too far gone to stop. The familiar feeling starts in my back, and my balls draw up tight. Heat spreads through me, and my cock erupts, painting the shower wall with cum. I reach out and steady myself against the tile until the room stops spinning, and the small pulses in my cock subside.

  I’ve jerked off more times than I can count since I first saw Eric in the library, and each time I come harder than the last. At the rate I’m going, if we ever get together, it’ll probably blow my cock right off. I chuckle at the thought and wash the remnants of my cum down the drain.

  No one’s around when I dress and grab my bag. I’m more relaxed than I’ve been all day—a good orgasm will do that to you. Just as I step into the hall, the outer door snicks close, and I rush to see who’s leaving. I catch Eric sprinting through the parking lot to his car. Could he have been the one in the locker room? I smile at the thought he’d seen me stroking myself, fantasizing about him.

  “What’re you grinning about?”

  “Fuck!” I jump and grab my chest. “Billy, what the fuck, man? You’re like a ninja, always sneaking up on people?” I will die of a heart attack before I get laid at this rate.

  He shrugs. “It’s a gift.”

  “I’m going to put a bell around your neck.”

  He only laughs. I’m sure he’s heard that many times. His mom probably made him wear one as a kid.

  “You ready to go? Emmett and Jacob want to hang out tonight, maybe grab a pizza and play some video games.”

  “Sure.”

  We walk down the sidewalk toward our apartment. I could use a night hanging out with the guys, though I’d rather be with Eric. We’ve spent little time together outside of practice other than my embarrassing moments after the graduation party. Neither of us can deny the attraction between us. It’s like a physical arc from one to the other, but even I know sex alone doesn’t make a relationship. If he’d only give us a chance to get to know each other, we could see where it goes. We have to consider the whole coach-player thing, too, but I’m sure we can make it work. I just need to figure out how.

  “Hey, Billy.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you know if there are any rules against a coach and a player hooking up?”

  “Ooh, gossip! Who is it?” He rubs his hands together like he’s expecting something good.

  “Who’s what?”

  “Which coach and which player? It’s the soccer coach, right? I saw him and Saunders out at the Dairy Queen on Saturday.”

  I debate how much to tell him. I don’t think he’ll say anything to anyone, and I could really use someone to talk to, but I don’t want to risk getting Eric in trouble. I doubt he needs this coaching job, but still… “Nah, it’s not them.”

  “The volleyball coach? Tennis? Cheerleading? Those girls are hot, even the coach, though I heard she’s a lesbian,” he says disappointedly.

  “No, none of them. Never mind. Just forget I said anything.”

  I’m halfway up the stairs to our apartment before I realize Billy’s not with me. I stop and turn to find him standing on the sidewalk, staring up at me.

  I walk back down to him. “What?”

  “Is it Nash? Did you see him with someone?” he asks, eyes wide.

  “No!” I snap and realize my mistake.

  Billy gets a maniacal gleam in his eye. “You’ve got the hots for Nash. I knew it! Did something happen when he took you home? Did you have sex?” He frowns. “He didn’t take advantage of you when you were drunk, did he? If he did, I’ll kick his ass,” he growls.

  “No, nothing like that. I wasn’t that drunk. I knew what was going on. I… we… kissed is all.”

  Billy whistles. “But you wanted more,” he deduces, knowing me pretty well even though we’ve only been friends since we were freshmen. I’d been honest with him about my preferences in men.

  “Well, of course, I did. You’ve seen him,” I say a little too wistfully.

  “He’s not really my type. No boobs.”

  I slap Billy in the stomach with the back of my hand, and he grunts. “Don’t be gross.”

  “Easy on the washboard, man. The chicks love it.”

  I roll my eyes. Billy likes to talk a good game, but he has a heart of gold. When he finds the right one, they’ll be the luckiest person in the world.

  “Seriously, what’s the problem, though? You’d just have to be discreet. I’m pretty sure coaches, and even some of the staff have dated students before.”

  “How the hell would you know? We’ve only been here a year.”

  He shrugs. “Rumors. I’ve lived here all my life and haven’t heard of any scandals. Have you?”

  “Well, no. I guess not.” When my mom was alive, we lived about an hour away in the next town where she and my dad grew up. After she passed, my dad packed us up and moved us here. “A fresh start for us both,” he’d said. You’d think we’d have heard about it if there’d been any issues.

  “Then what’s the problem? If you want him, go get him.” He pats me on the back and heads up the steps inside.

  Billy thinks it’s that easy. The problem is that Eric runs in the opposite direction whenever I’m near him. I need to figure out a way to make sure he stays, hopefully for good.

  Eric hasn’t made practice easy on us the past week, demanding weights and suicides every day—and of course, I threw in my little extra exercises just for Eric. But today, he tacks on a five-mile run when Zack, the fucker, whines that he’s tired. Poor baby asshole. He thinks he doesn’t need to work out like the rest of us because he’s the starting quarterback this year.

  “I told you, boys, I wasn’t going to have mercy on you. If you think this is bad, wait until we actually hit the field on Monday. It’ll make this week look like a quiet stroll through the park. Now get running!” He blows his whistle, and we head off. Unlike Coach Brown, who is probably like a hundred years old, Eric not only takes off with us but keeps our pace.

  It’s pure torture.

  Sometimes Eric is behind me, and I spend valuable energy flexing my ass and concentrating on my form. When he passes me, all I can do is stare at his tight ass. I’d have face-planted after tripping over a rock if Billy hadn’t caught me before I could hit the ground.

  By the time we get back to school, we’re all dragging. A couple of guys even threw up along the way. Eric’s the only one who looks like he could run ten more miles.

  “The next time one of you thinks you’re too good for workouts, remember today. If it happens again, it’ll be twice as shitty. Now hit the showers.”

  Everyone groans and slowly makes their way to the locker room, cursing Zack, who’s still looking a little green. Too bad, dickwad.

  “Avery. Can I see you for a minute?” Eric’s rumbly voice causes an involuntary shiver to run through me from head to toe.

  No one pays me any attention as I hang back. He waits until everyone’s gone inside to say anything. “Come to my office when you’re done.”

  Apprehension creeps in when I can’t read the look on his face. What if I’ve screwed this up and pushed too far? Will he tell me I’m kicked off the team? Or worse, will he tell me he’s not interested? I rub the ache in my chest. Why would he want me, anyway? I’m thirteen years younger than him. He probably thinks I’m just a silly kid with a crush. I swear I’ve seen desire in his eyes, but maybe it’s only wishful thinking on my part.

  By the time I’ve showered and changed, everyone’s left. I drag my feet to Eric’s office, dread filling me. After working myself up into such a state, it’s all I can do not to vomit. As much as I hate it, I’ll have to be okay with whatever he says. I only hope he lets me stay on the team.

  I rap my knuckles against the doorframe and school my face. He looks up from his laptop, wearing the same blank expression I am. He stands and walks around to lean against the desk, arms crossed, and even in my anxiety-ridden state, I can’t help but notice the swell of his muscles.

  “Come in and shut the door.”

  I do as he asks and turn around. Before I can get out any words to explain myself, Eric pins me against the door with his hard body. He frames my face with his hands and pushes his lips against mine in a bruising kiss. I drop my gym bag and wrap my arms around his waist, fisting my hands in his t-shirt and pulling him closer until our hips align. His hard dick presses against me, and mine swells in response.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10