Page 59 of Game Misconduct

“Okay?” Tanner said. “Like … okay, I forgive you? Or, okay, I heard what you said but get the fuck out of my room we’re not doing this shit anymore?”

“The first one.”

Tanner couldn’t hide his smile this time. “Yes. Victory!” He fist-pumped.

“You didn’t winthis,” Leif pointed out.

“I know.” Tanner bit the inside of his cheek. “I’m just glad that you’re not, like … done with our, uh, hookups, or whatever. Because it’s been fun.”

Leif frowned, silent for a moment before he spoke. Each word coming out slowly. “It has been, but I’ve been wondering. What if—what if it’s been a distraction? What if I didn’t play as well as I should havebecausewe’re hooking up?”

Tanner winced because he’d kind of been afraid Leif was gonna leap to that conclusion. And he’d just flung himself off the cliff, apparently.

“I mean, maybe,” Tanner admitted. “Like … only you would know. But, uh, you’ve been playing pretty well, dude. The team overall wasn’t doing a ton to help you.”

“I suppose.”

“Honestly,” Tanner said. “I think the problem is, you just don’t have enough queer dudes on your roster.”

Leif cracked a smile. “There are a few. They’re just not super public about it.”

“I get that,” Tanner said, even though he totally didn’t. Or, well, hegotit. He knew it wasn’t safe for everyone to be out or whatever. But he definitely couldn’t imagine it for himself.

Tanner plowed on. “I’m just sayin’ maybe it gives guys an advantage, you know?”

“Maybe. You really don’t think I played like I was distracted?”

Tanner snorted. “Fuck no. If you’d have been any more dialed in, we’d have beenfucked. I was the one who was super out of position on a couple of plays. I’m gonna get my ass reamed for it at video review tomorrow.”

“So, uh, speaking of tomorrow, technically I could go home now.” Leif rubbed the back of his neck.

Tanner grimaced at the thought. “Are you going to?”

Leif shrugged. “I dunno. Some of the guys are staying through to the end. I hadn’t decided yet.”

“It would be kinda cool if you stayed,” Tanner said. He walked forward until he stood between Leif’s knees and settled his palms on Leif’s shoulders “So we’d have more time to keep doing this and all.”

“You want me to stay foryou, huh?” Leif smiled up at him, just a little.

“And, like, to watch us kick Team Canada’s ass.”

“You’re not gonna beat Canada,” Leif scoffed.

“We might!” Tanner protested. “Dude, we have got ateam.”

They squabbled for a few moments before Tanner sank to his knees. “Please, Princess. Stay,” he said, looking up at Leif through his lashes. “And, like … let me give you an apology blowjob.”

Leif sat back, propping himself up on his hands and grimacing at Tanner who knelt in front of him. “I’m honestly not really in the mood.”

“To stay for the rest of the tournament or for the blowjob?”

Leif considered the question. Tanner looked good like this, kneeling between Leif’s thighs. His curls were all pretty and glossy and Leif sat up straight, then reached out and twisted one around his finger. He sighed and tugged on the curl. “I’ll stay for the rest of the tournament. But tonight I’m just … I’m not in the mood.”

“For sex or like,me? I know I can be a lot.”

“For sex,” Leif clarified, still playing with Tanner’s curl. “But, um, I mean, that’s kinda what we do, right? Why would you want to hang out here without sex?”

Tanner gaped at him for a second before leaning in and resting his forearms on Leif’s thighs. “Dude. What the fuck?”