His lips curved before he could stop them. He and Kai were a lot alike. A truth he suspected he’d known for quite a while, what with the way they always volleyed for the other’s respect. A competition of sorts, between two competitive men—who, to add fuel to the fire, were extremely attracted to one another.
Attracted. But was there more? Something between them other than lust?
Breck didn’t know but couldn’t help wondering. Because in truth, Kai did feel different. Different from Socrates. Different from girls. Their allure was a skin-deep distraction. None of them ever ruled his thoughts. Aside from sex, they never held his attention.
Not that he wouldn’t want to hit that shit with Kai, because he would. But there was something else there. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Whatever it was, though, he’d definitely felt it last Friday night. When Kai had draped an arm over Scott, his lips just inches from his ear. Breck had wanted to rip Kai away and demand his undivided attention.
He stilled and opened his eyes.
He’d felt possessive that night.
And jealous.
Unsettled, he swallowed and glanced around.
He’d never felt that way towards anyone. Like, ever.
Not with Socrates when he’d had all of his girlfriends, and certainly not with any of the chicks that he’d fucked throughout the years. In his mind, that they weren’t his was perfect. One less person that he’d have to entertain.
With Kai, though? The thought of entertaining him got Breck going.
But only if Kai cut the shit and showed some appreciation.
Turning off the water, Breck grabbed a towel and headed out, Jegs’ and Charlie’s distant jabbering barely registering in his brain. Evidently, he was too preoccupied with what it’d be like to date a guy.
Out in public. Unapologetically.
Kai’s gorgeous smile looped back around in his mind.
He stopped at his locker and exhaled slowly.
… In the beginning I tried to ignore it. To deny the way I felt. Eventually, though, I realized that… I didn’t want to deny it anymore...
His chest tightened as he pulled on some clothes. Not that he liked Kai to the extent that Tad liked Scott, but… maybe he should take Tad’s lead for no other reason than to see where it went. Kai clearly had his attention. So much so, it was hard sometimes to concentrate. To think. Because if there was something there, it’d be the first time in his life. And maybe that alone made it worth pursuing.
Or, if nothing else, worth investigating.
And if something did amount from it, how hard could it possibly be to keep their shit secret?
Spirits lifting, he shoved into his shoes, feeling lighter than he had in ages.
“Whatchu smiling for?” Charlie asked.
Breck rubbed the top of his head and shrugged.
“Gotta hoochie mama waiting at the house?” Jegs grinned.
Breck chuckled. “Not that I’m aware of.”
He might, however, do a little drive-by past a certain someone’s dojang. Maybe he’d get lucky and catch a glimpse of—
His cell phone blared to life. He swiped it up and eyed the screen.
Dad.
Great.
He sighed and looked at his friends. “My old man. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
They nodded and headed off.
Breck got walking, too, as he answered the dreaded call.
A baritone voice met his ear. “Breck. How’s my bigshot superstar?”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I’m great, Dad. You?”
“I’m good. Are you at practice?”
“Just leaving now.”
“What? Already? I thought your practice started at two.”
“It did. And now it’s five. We’ve been practicing for three hours straight.”
A grunt came through the line. “That’s not enough. Round one starts in four days.”
“We’ll be ready. Don’t worry. We’ve been busting our butts.”
“You need to be busting them more. This is your last year, Breck. Your last chance. Stop being so nonchalant.”
Breck clenched his jaw. “We practice twenty-plus hours a week. With games on top of that. We’ll be—"
“Sorry. That’s what you’ll be,” his dad snapped. “When you lose. When your big-headed asses get booted out of the playoffs.”
Breck ground his molars. “Thanks for that amazing vote of confidence.”
His dad went silent. “I just don’t want you getting complacent. Just want you focused.”
“I am.”
“Good. And speaking of which, what’s going on with your girlfriend?”
Breck frowned, heading into the parking lot. “Uh… I don’t have a girlfriend, Dad.”
“Perfect. They’re pure distraction.”
Ugh.
“Whatever,” he grunted.
“I’m serious. You’re better off without one, at least until after the championship game.”
Breck glared and shook his head, his old man at it again, running every facet of his life.
Silence lingered.
His dad sighed. “Listen, I’m not saying you have to abstain. Just don’t form any attachments. And if you have to have a girl on your arm for appearance’s sake, make sure she’s clean-cut, Breck. Sophisticated. Classy. You have an image to uphold. Don’t give the media any ammunition. All it takes is one bad decision and they’ll drag you through the mud. Be smart. That’s all. No unnecessary risks. Until you get signed, you are the poster child for social perfection.”