by Eden Finley
“Wy …”
“This is a bad idea.”
“What is?” I ask, acting coy.
“You know what. You don’t think I can feel …” His hips make the smallest motion against mine, and I become aware of how fucking hard I am. Him too.
“You said I needed a rebound, but don’t you too?” I ask.
This time when he tries to get away from me, I let him. Hitting on him certainly isn’t my intention, but now that I’ve thought about it, fuck, the idea of rubbing against him, all hard and naked … I want that.
He climbs back onto the couch with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. “You know I don’t do the hookup thing.”
“Why is that?” I pull myself up so I’m sitting at his feet.
“Look at me.” He leans back and gestures to his tight little body.
“I don’t understand.”
“When we go out, have you never noticed I only attract the guys who are all dominant wannabes? Because I’m smaller, they think it’s a given that I’ll bend over for them.”
I frown. “But don’t you? Bottom, I mean? Simon—”
“God, he’s a dick. What did he say?”
“I can’t remember his exact words. It was at one of our group things, and I think you were roughhousing with Noah. Simon was all ‘As long as that guy knows it’ll be me fucking that hole later.’ I dunno … something to that effect. I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but we don’t get involved in each other’s shit.”
Wyatt sighs. “I wish you’d said something. At least to me. Who the fuck does that?”
“Assholes.”
“Exactly! I had a right to know my boyfriend was a dick.”
Maybe he did have a right to know, but just like I ignored Wyatt when he told me to stop with Noah, he probably would’ve ignored me about Simon.
“Would you have believed me?” I ask. “In my experience, if you meddle with friends’ relationships, you’re the one who ends up friendless.”
“I trust your judgment. Although, the Noah thing kinda thins out how reputable that judgment is.”
I chuckle. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”
“Do what?”
“Bitch about Noah to make me feel better. He’s your friend too, and this is why it was a bad idea to hook up in the first place.”
“I’m mad at him for hurting you. I know there has to be a human being deep inside him somewhere.”
“There really is. He just doesn’t let anyone see it. Whenever I caught glimpses, he’d school his features and go distant for a few days.” I shrug. “I think that’s the way it is with him.” I frown. “Was. Was with him. Apparently, Matt Jackson fixes all his problems, somehow.”
“I give them a month. Tops.”
“I dunno about that,” I say. “He’s already doing things with Matt that he refused to do with me.”
“Dude, he tells you about the kinky shit he’s getting up to with his boyfriend?”
I nudge his knee with my elbow. “No, smartass. He’s doing things like giving him a boyfriend label.”
“That’s rough.” Wyatt runs his hand over his hair, and his long locks fall around his shoulders.
“I’m sorry I never told you,” I say. “About Simon being a dick.”
He waves me off. “It’s okay. Maybe you’re right and I would’ve been pissed at you instead of the one who deserved it.”
I pull back and meet his eyes because something he said before suddenly clicks. “Wait, can we back it up for a sec here? Are you telling me you’re like some power top?” The idea of that causes a stirring in my groin.
“No. I like to give and take, but that’s not the point. It’s the assumption and the shitty attitude when I ask to fuck random hookups. It’s unequal, and that pisses me off. I don’t bother because of it.”
“I’d let you fuck me.” Was that out loud? And let? More like beg.
He shoves me again and laughs. “Stop it. You’d think you would’ve learned your lesson after Noah.”
I wince, because I should’ve learned my lesson years ago. Skylar and I were able to remain friends, but I know I hurt her.
“Sorry, too soon?” he asks.
“No, I was just thinking I should’ve learned after Skylar too.”
Wyatt cracks a smile. “I totally forgot about that. Feels like she’s been with Rebecca forever.”
“I set them up after Sky and I broke up because she wanted something serious and I wasn’t ready.”
“Wow, you’re really making your way through the group, aren’t you?”
I know he’s joking, but for some reason, I hear it as a challenge. I inch closer, and I lower my voice. “Wanna help me cross another one of you off the list?”
It’s true hooking up with another friend would be stupid, but either the alcohol, my dick, or like Wyatt says—the need for a rebound—wants me to go for it. Not to mention how it felt to have him on top of me a minute ago.
“Funny.”
Pulling myself up onto my knees, I slowly make my way in between his legs and run my hands up his thighs. Wyatt holds his breath, and his legs widen the tiniest bit as if he has no control over them.
“I’m serious,” I murmur. “We both need this. You said so yourself.”
He releases a loud breath, and my gaze travels down to his lap where he’s sporting a major bulge in his jeans.
“Looks like you’re up for it.” I bite my lip to try not to smile.
He groans and adjusts himself. “You’re so drunk you’re talking crazy. Even if I said yes, you probably wouldn’t be able to get it up.”
I push up off him and stand, showing off exactly how wrong that statement is. With me standing and him sitting on the couch, I’m at the perfect height for him to be face to dick with my crotch. “Now you’re lying. You were rubbing up on this not a few minutes ago.” My hand trails down my stomach and grips my aching shaft through my sweatpants. “I’m not that drunk. I mean, I’m drunk, for sure, but not so drunk I don’t know what I’m doing.”
I totally don’t know what I’m doing, apart from maybe trying to fuck up all my friendships. When I go self-destructive, I do a good job of it.
“I’m trying to be a good guy here, Aron.”
“You wanted to take me out so I could fuck someone else. Let’s cut out the middleman.” Even in my semi-drunken state, I can rationalize anything to go my way. Especially if it involves sex.
“The reason we’re here right now is because you fucked a friend and it ended badly. You’re kinda a mess.”
“You’re a mess,” I say like a petulant child.
“Love you too,” he quips.
I sigh. He’s doing the right thing, and I can respect that even if I don’t like it. “All right then. Let’s go out and make me work for it.”
Instead of staring up at me though, his eyes lock on my crotch. My sweats aren’t hiding anything, and I’m still hard.
He clears his throat and stands, bringing the top of his head close to my chin.
I have to resist the urge to wrap my arm around his waist and pull him against me. “Just tell me one thing.”
“What’s that?” Those blue orbs look up at me through thick blond lashes.
I cock my head. “Why have we never hooked up? Because right now, I can’t think of a single reason.”
“Because we’re friends.”
“Hasn’t stopped me before. Clearly.”
“I’ve been with Simon for the last two years.”
“We’ve known each other for eight.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? Bring up that night from freshman year and spell it out for you.”
I literally have no idea what he’s talking about, and I guess my face reflects that because he keeps talking.
“You told me it was a shame I’d hooked up with Damon because that meant I was off-limits.”
“Wait … you hooked up with Damon?”
/> I mean, it’d make sense. Our friend Damon has a thing for blonds.
He looks confused. “How do you not remember any of this? It was the pivotal moment where you friend-zoned me forever.”
It might be that I’ve had both scotch and tequila tonight, or maybe it’s all the alcohol I drank during college which was more a four-year party than any form of an actual education, but I have no idea what the fuck he’s talking about.
If I’d said that to him, I’ve obviously thought about hooking up with him before. And it’d make sense if he’d slept with Damon that I’d think going out with him would be wrong. Bro code and whatnot.
Wyatt smiles. “I remember the very first time I saw you. You were with Damon at that café in the middle of the quad. You and he were laughing at God knows what, but the sun hit your face in a way that made you all … shiny.”
I screw up my face. “Like Edward from Twilight shiny? Eww.”
“No, you idiot. Like … I dunno, you looked all godlike. I’d already met Damon at orientation, so I used my connection with him as an excuse to go talk to you guys, and then—”
“Oh, I remember that now. I thought you were cute. Actually, I’m pretty sure I thought you looked too model-like to be in college.”
Wyatt laughs. “Thank you?”
“You’re welcome,” I say, pretending not to pick up on his sarcasm.
“Anyway, after a few minutes, some girl came up to you and kissed your cheek, and Mr. Flirt came out. I was devastated thinking you were straight. Hence hooking up with Damon later that night.”
“Did you really have sex with Damon? Because that’s weird. Really weird.”
Wyatt shakes his head. “We kissed. That was it. He said something about me looking like a guy he had a crush on all through high school. Kinda put an end to things pretty fast.”
“So, you refuse to hook up with friends ever since?”
Wyatt looks away as he says, “Something like that.”
I relent, because he has a valid point, and I like him too much to fuck things up between us. “Okay, if we’re going out, I need to shower and get sexy.”
“In that case, all you have to do is shower.” Wyatt winks.
“Hey, if I’m not allowed to hit on you, you can’t flirt with me.” I’m only teasing; I secretly like him flirting with me.
Wyatt throws his hands up in defeat. “I was trying to make you feel good about yourself.”
“Like I need that?”
“True. In that case, hurry up, you ugly fucker, and try to look semi-decent.”
I flip him off while I laugh my way into the bathroom.
2
Wyatt
Ooh, this is a bad idea. I know that now. I’m self-conscious of running into Simon because Aron ended up choosing a gay bar.
When we first walk into the club, Aron sits by my side at the high cocktail table and pretends he doesn’t find a single guy attractive. When you’re as hot as Aron, guys practically fall over themselves trying to get to you. He’s got this pretty boy thing going on but with a masculinity that’s also sexy. His floppy brown hair is silky, and his blue eyes shine. He can look preppy or badass depending on what mood he’s in, and he’s always been this laid-back guy who’s fun and up for almost anything.
That’s probably how he got himself involved with Noah. They’re similar in that way. Act now, think later, and fuck the consequences.
Hence the reason I turned him down earlier even though I spent most of my freshman and sophomore year fantasizing about him.
Aron’s approached by numerous guys, but he sends them all away, even if he watches their asses as they retreat.
“Go for it,” I yell over the music.
He shakes his head. “I’m not really feeling any of them.”
“Maybe try your luck on the dance floor.”
Aron stares at me out the corner of his eye, takes one last gulp of his drink until it’s all gone, and then nods. “Yeah, all right.”
I watch his ass as it weaves through the crowd, and less than two minutes later, I sip my beer and watch as Aron becomes sandwiched between two guys.
Of course, jealousy decides to taunt me by reminding me I’ve had ample chance to take him up on his offer tonight.
Be strong. You said no for a reason.
I could see a future with him without even thinking about it too hard. If he deals with all the crap he’s going through, I wouldn’t hesitate, but he doesn’t want me for the right reasons. I don’t even know if he wants me at all. I think it was more an accessibility thing. He’s after a rebound, and I was there.
I’ve always been a relationship guy. Always. If we were to hook up, it’d be my heart on the line because I’d inevitably want more. He’s too busy trying to get over Noah to even think about getting involved with someone else.
Right now, watching his long and lean body grinding against one bigger guy and one around the same size as him, I’m getting hard. I’m also wishing I was the one grinding up against him and that the other two would fuck off.
Will watching him fuck every guy in the Tri-state area really make me feel better than if I let him use me to get over Noah? Probably not, but it’ll make me ragey instead of heartachy, and that’s better in my opinion.
As I think that, my chest plummets to the floor when the smaller dude reaches around Aron and palms his ass, while the bigger guy behind nuzzles into Aron’s neck.
Yup. Really fucking bad idea to come here with him.
Instead of continuing to sip my beer, I throw back the rest of it.
“Hi,” a deep and rumbly voice says as a large body lands on the stool next to me.
I try to hold in a sigh. The guy is in his forties, at least. No doubt looking for a twink to call him Daddy. Looking young for my age is more a hindrance than a blessing. I’m twenty-six and look barely old enough to drink.
“Hey,” I say, because saying fuck off usually tends to encourage these assholes.
When did you become so cynical, Wyatt? He might be a decent and lovely man. Rich, lonely, and just looking for companionsh—
“Do you have a name, or can I call you mine?”
Ooh boy, but I guess it’s not the worst thing he could’ve said. “Does that ever really work?”
The guy smiles, and I have to admit, he is hot for an older guy. Dark hair, a few grays that make him distinguished, but he’s not exactly geriatric. There’s about a weeks’ worth of stubble on his jaw, and he’s wearing a sexy, well-tailored suit. “Not as many times as I’d like.” His chuckle is self-deprecating which makes him even more attractive.
I smile. “Maybe you need a new tactic.”
“Wanna dance?”
“Well, that’s an improvement, but …” My glance goes back to Aron who’s enjoying his manwich, and I realize how sad it is sitting here on my own watching like some type of creeper. The older guy nods, getting my hint, and goes to walk off when I grab his wrist. “On second thought, yes.”
Aron’s right. I probably need a rebound too. Although, I was pretty much over Simon the minute I found him cheating. I guess that says a lot about our relationship if I could not care so quickly. Maybe I was waiting for an excuse.
“Yes?” this new guy asks.
“Yeah, let’s do that.” I have nothing to lose.
Sound more enthusiastic, why don’t you.
I follow him out to the dance floor, and it takes zero-point-three-two of a second for his hands to latch onto my ass.
With a push and a grunt, I shake out of his grip. “Just dancing.”
Gone is all the self-deprecation and charming smile as he grabs my wrist and spins me, my back to his front, and he grinds his cock against my ass.
What the fuck is up with these dom wannabes?
A hand snakes around my front, and a disgustingly hot breath lands near my ear. “Come on, baby boy, you know you want this.”
Baby boy? Eww, eww, eww. What in the ever-loving fuck—
The weight
behind me is suddenly gone, and so are the grabby hands. They’re replaced with arms I could melt into. They’re strong. Comforting. The arms of a really good friend.
Even though I could’ve gotten out of that myself, it doesn’t stop the relieved sensation of Aron doing it for me. I should hate the hero act, but it’s fucking hot coming from Aron. All that’s left for him to do is throw me over his shoulder and carry me out.
Damn, that could be fun.
“I had that covered, you know,” I mock.
Aron grins. “I see trying to make you reassess your decision worked a little too well then. Really? That guy?”
“Huh?” I pull back.
Aron tips his head in the direction of the two guys he was dancing with who are currently in the middle of carrying my daddy off the dance floor. “I asked them to help me out a little, but you took it too far, man.”
“I took it too far? You were practically in a three-way on the dance floor. All I was trying to do was dance.”
“With a handsy motherfucker.”
“Takes one to know two. Your guys were all over you.”
“Because that’s what you said you wanted for me!”
“Huh? Wait … and …” I stare after them. “What?”
Aron laughs. “They’re friends of mine and a totally monogamous couple. There was no chance of that becoming a three-way. On either side. Because I’ve decided something.”
I cock a brow. “That’s dangerous.”
Aron cups my face. “I’ve decided that even though we’re both in really shit places, this could ruin our friendship, and we have exes we need to get over …”
He doesn’t finish his sentence, and I want to punch him. He can’t leave me hanging like that.
“Tell me,” I beg.
“I want you.”
“Until you’re over Noah?”
Aron lowers himself to a knee, in the middle of the fucking dance floor, and my eyes widen, but before I can have a panic attack, he holds my hand and yells, “Wyatt Black, will you be my rebound?”
I can’t help laughing, and I shove him as he stands. “You’re an idiot.”
