In Between the Lines

explosion, the sun hit the hardwoo

iving him insane. He was a guy who liked simple things that weren't complicated. He hated the kind of emotional shit that left him overthinking everything late at night. That was exactly why he only ever did casual hookups; he di

ever acted on it. He had always kept his attractions to men tucked away as quiet, harmless crushes while maintaining his perfect life with Sienna. But this? Sucking his fiercest rival's cock until he came in his mouth? Swallowing every

avily over his shoulder. He expected a confrontation. He expected Xavier to co

s fighting like he

ture was perfectly straight, a tablet in his lap, trying to pretend he was listening to something his best friend, Mase, was saying

't flinch. He didn't glance up. He forced himself to treat Kael like a ghost, even

ly turning off the overhead lights. The projector flared to life, illuminati

He clicked a button, freezing the tape. On screen, Xavier was driving the lane, completely surrounded by two d

ointing a laser at the scr

ional, though his chest felt tight. "A collapsed lane,

horne snapped. "But instead, yo

he side of the room where Kael was sitting. The cool, robotic facade cracked just enough fo

Xavier said quietly.

d of cutting to give him an outlet, you stood there like a statue yelling at him. Your chemistry is non-exis

ng the lights back on. The sudde

ssion where you two aren't on the same page, the en

urposely lagged behind, letting the rest of the guys get a head start. He

llway and stepping directly in front of the foun

ould see the faint dark circles under Xavier's eyes. The proof was right there: the unt

uttered, trying to step to the left, t

, locking his jaw. "W

er, his eyes darting frantically down the hallway to ma

ar the brutal honesty of the words. "You swallowed every drop of my come, panicked like a little girl, and ran out o

s knuckles turned white. He looked around wildly, a muscle jumping in his jaw as t

ge, fear, and a heavy dose of unwanted arousal. "That was a mistake. The game...

at me alive. You didn't look like a guy making a mistake, rich boy. You looked like you

ically gave away how conflicted he was. "I have a life. I have a future. I don't do... this. You and I are teammates,

ng up to its usual boiling point. "You think you can just erase it? Y

s shoulder, his upper arm brushing against Kael's chest. The brief physical contact sent a weird, electric jolt through both of them, making Xavier

threw back over his shoulder, his voice r

ve cologne mixed with the gym's sweat. Xavier was terrified, that much was obvious. He was a guy trying to protect a perf

e hatred between them wasn't clean anymore. It was toxic, dirty, and wrapped up in