Page 38 of Game Misconduct

Leif groaned. “Do you ever stop flirting?”

“If you want me to, yeah.” Tanner suddenly looked serious. “I mean, I fuckinglovethis shit. Our flirting and poking at each other is super fun for me. But I do feel kinda bad that I, uh, broke into your room and was jerking off and if I’m legit making you uncomfortable, I’ll—I’ll back off. I’ll keep the shit on the ice, and we can go back to just being annoyed at each other there.”

Leif hesitated, surprised by both Tanner’s sincerity and the fact that he wasn’t immediately jumping all over the offer. That was what he wanted, right? So why wasn’t he saying that?

He could. If he told Tanner that he never wanted to hook up with him again and to lose the flirty banter and keep it professional, he honestly thought Tanner would attempt to behave.

So why did picturing that feel … disappointing? Why did that feel flat and boring?

“If you don’t want this anymore, that’s cool,” Tanner said holding his hands up, palms out. “I don’t want to pressure anyone. But this shit is fun and you know it. You enjoy this too.”

“Damn it,” Leif swore, because he really did.

“So own it, man. Admit you get off on this too.”

“I …” Leif hesitated.

Tanner made a face. “Look, I don’t want to legit pressure you into something you don’t want. Active consent is hot.”

Only Tanner can say that and not sound like an absolute tool, Leif thought with a sigh. That was the worst part. He legitimately meant it. And Leif could scoff at the idea because it wasTannerbut Leif didn’t want to pressure anyone into sex either. Or, have it done to him.

“So you need to decide if we’re doing this or if we’re not,” Tanner said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Doing what, exactly?”

“Poking at each other until it explodes into a super hot hookup.”

“You want to keep arguing and hooking up?” Leif asked, still disbelieving.

“Yeah. I mean, I don’t fucking want to date you or anything so don’t get any ideas.”

A burst of laughter escaped Leif before he could stop it. “Definitely not.”

“But … why not? We could hook up while we’re here, then maybe hook up when the Rockets are visiting Boston, or the Harriers are playing in New York.” He shrugged.

“And it wouldn’t mean anything,” Leif said slowly.

“Exactly.”

“I’d keep dating guys in New York and you’d keep fucking everyone in Boston.”

Leif winced internally at the thought. Would that bother him? This wasn’t usually how he did things.

“I’m not fuckingeveryonein Boston,” Tanner said disparagingly. “There are straight dudes and lesbians and ace people in Boston, you know.”

“And those are the only reason someone wouldn’t be attracted to you,” Leif said, fighting back a smile.

“Obviously. I’m irresistible otherwise.” Tanner gave him a wide smile.

Leif snorted. “Sure you are.”

“So, are you in?”

“I’d have to tell the guys that I was hooking up with someone else … I mean, just to be safe and honest, right?”

“Yeah.” Tanner gave him a confused look. “Obviously. Don’t you already?”

Leif glanced away. “I—I usually just have sex with one person at a time.”