That is, until Tuck walked in and came to an abrupt halt when he saw me spread out on the couch, my head in Tyler's lap while he's watching some football documentary which I couldn't care less about.
I can’t help it. Since finding out how soft–or hard really–of a very comfortable cushion Ty is, I just can’t seem to stop. So when we were done studying tonight and he grabbed us some beers and found a game to watch, I just made myself comfortable by hogging the entire couch, including his lap.
But okay, I think I can maybe get the fact that it would probably be weird walking in on two dudes sort of cuddling when you assume they're only friends. Which we totally are.
“Hey? I thought you two were studying?“ He asks hesitantly, dropping his bag by the front door and slowly walking towards us, his gaze fixed on Tyler's massive hand that’s actually holding my hair back as I try to text Missy about some lyrics.
It’s annoying, really. The longer strands on top keep falling into my face, as I came over after soccer practice without any hair product to keep it in place. After I complained for the gazillionth time, Ty finally gave in and rested one big paw on my head to keep it out of my eyes.
Way handier than me just moving and sitting up straight to text.
I pry my eyes off my phone and give Tuck a small smile, feeling more like a dick by the second. Since IknowI’ve been ignoring him. “Hey, you. Yeah, we’re done already. I’m finally getting the hang of that stupid class…” He doesn’t return my smile, just flicks his gaze at Tyler again.
I frown at that but am distracted when my head starts to buzz. Tyler's phone is still in the pocket of his sweat shorts, and I suppose he’s getting a call.
“Get up, moron. Let me grab it.” He pushes me off of him, and I get up as Ty grabs his phone. “It’s Kaylee. Be right back,” he mumbles, answering with an ‘hi honey,’ before stalking off towards the stairs up to the bedrooms.
So it’s just me and Tuck now, with him still looking at me with a funny look on his face as the stupid documentary plays on. No, this is not awkward at all, thankfully.
“So, what’ve you been up to?” I cringe at my own stupid question, but at least he lets out a small chuckle at that, rubbing a hand through his dark-blonde hair.
“I’ve been trying to tell you what I’ve been up to for a couple of weeks now, actually.”
Oh, and if that doesn’t make me feel even worse. Because he’s right. He did come up to me a couple of times at Yetties or at breakfast to talk, but I always kept it short because well, everything really. “Oh fuck, I’m sorry. I know I have been busy and distracted and–”
“Busy, yeah, I know. I’ve seen some of your performances, and I know that you’ve been busy with studying as well.” His eyes flick to the door where the stairs are. “Well, if you call lying on the couch studying.”
I huff at that. “Like I said, we were already finished and were watching something football-y.”
His eyebrows soar. “He was holding your hair back.”
“Yeah, because I couldn’t see the screen.”
“Uh-huh. Holding your hair back, dude. I know most jocks aren’t the smartest guys around, but I’m not dense like some of them.”
“What are you saying here?” I ask, trying my best not to bristle.
He sighs at that and takes Ty’s vacated spot next to me. “I’m saying that it’s fine. I can tell that you’re not interested in me, but clearly you are–”
I open my mouth to argue that point, but he holds up a finger to stop me. “No, look…” He leans forward, elbows on his knees as he takes me in with a sideways glance. “Are you hot? Definitely. Would it have been hot? For sure. I’m not mad or anything; I’m just not dense. I know when I’m not wanted. Thankfully, there are plenty of hot guys around here on campus.”
That makes me smile. He's straightforward, which I like. “Iamsorry for ignoring you and being kind of distracted–”
“Don’t be,” he interrupts me again, nodding at the staircase. “I can see whythatwould distract you, okay? But please be careful, I consider him a friend.”
I frown at that. “There’s nothing going on or anything. He’s straight.”
He lets out an indignant breath. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Like I said, some of us jocks might be a little naive, but I’m not like that. What I meant is that he needs to keep his head in the game. Please don’t fuck up our chance to go all the way this season, because we really have a chance this year.”
I want to dispute that, but the guilty flutter in my gut tells me that he’s onto something.
When I don’t respond, he continues, “While Lamar might be the spirit of our team, Tyler is our glue, our go-to guy for practically anything. His last name might be King, but that’s not the only reason everybody calls him that. He earned it,” he explains with a wave of his hand. “I know I’m not going to play for the pro’s after college, but both of them have a solid shot. Tyler especially. He just has something special, okay? And if we do win, it would increase his chances of being drafted by a good team exponentially.” He pats my leg. “So I don’t know what isgoing on with you two, but I’m not blind.” He chuckles. “I’m very gay, sweetie, and my gaydar is working very well. Just make sure he doesn’t lose his touch, okay? That’s all I’m asking.”
He gets up after that, grabs his bag again, and disappears to the staircase, leaving me behind, more confused than ever.
I rub my hands in my eyes before I get up, grabbing my book full of lyrics off the coffee table where I left it. Screw this. I text Missy that I’ll be over to go over our new song in a bit, and text Ty that I’m leaving.
Tuck is full of nonsense, and his gaydar is obviously broken. Yes, Ty maybe got hard a bit at that party, but that was weeks ago and nothing like that happened again. I know that’s a fact for sure, because I’m so focused on him… Not to mention that he’s very happy with his girlfriend and there is nothing going on with him and me, no matter how much I wish it otherwise. I’ll just keep telling myself that often enough, and keep ignoring his stares which I’msonot noticing, until I believe it to be true.
