Reid and Coop exchange a look, and it’s our team captain who speaks. “You were hooking up with the guy in the Wildcat suit.”
Fucking hell.
It all makes sense now. The intervention. The offers of support.
The assumption that the mascot is always a dude.
“It all makes sense now,” Coop says, echoing my thoughts. “Why you don’t hook up much. Why you’ve never dated.”
“I don’t have time for distractions.”Sutton isn’t a distraction.If anything, I’ve been more focused, determined to carve out time for her. Still, I double down, narrowing my eyes at Coop. “You of all people should understand since, as far as I know, you’ve never had a girlfriend either.”
He waves a hand, brushing my protest aside. “This is why you kicked me out of the sex shop, isn’t it? You didn’t want me to see what you were buying.”
For a smart guy, he’s pretty thick sometimes. “I kicked you out because you were acting like a jackass!”
“How is that different from any other day?” Vaughn asks, coaxing a laugh from Reid.
“But… We thought…” Coop frowns, brow furrowed. “Aren’t you gay? It took us a minute to pick up on the signs, but today they were hard to miss.” I shake my head, but I don’t get the chance to reply because he gets a second wind. “Is it a furry kink, then? Do you have a fursona? Because that’s okay too. Whatever you’re into, we’ve got you, brother.”
It’s official. I’ve entered The Twilight Zone.
Vaughn cocks his head. “What’s a furry?”
“We’ll talk later.” Coop winks at him. “Patience you must have, my young Padawan.”
“The point is,” Reid says, clasping his hands together. “However you get your rocks off—furries, feet, nylons—we support you.”
Jesus Christ. Did he just suggest I might be turned on by nylons? Sutton is turning me into the laughingstock of the team. First the t-shirt cannon, now this?
If I wasn’t so crazy about her, I’d be offended. Maybe this thing between us started as redemption—or, as Sutton likes to call it, enemies with benefits—but that was just noise. We’re good together, and it’s not just the sex, though the sex is fucking spectacular. I love the way she challenges me. Gives as good as she gets. Doesn’t back down and stands up for what she believes in. She’s smart. Loyal. Driven.
“Parker?” Reid prods, interrupting my thoughts.
“Sorry, I—”
Just tell them Sutton’s the Wildcat.
Not an option. I made a promise and I’m not about to go back on my word. Not when it took so long to earn her trust. Not when her gymnastics scholarship is on the line.
So what if they think I’m gay? Or into furry shit?
It doesn’t matter.
I care about Sutton too much to hurt her.
Besides, I’m not so fragile I’m defined by my sexuality. And even though my roommates are way off the mark, their hearts are in the right place. If there was ever any doubt these guys had my back, it’s been erased.
“What can I say?” I shrug and flop back on the couch. “I dig the Wildcat suit.”
Facts. Today’s stadium hookup was hot as fuck. Hell, I might even ask Sutton to wear the costume for a little role play later tonight.
“Damn, Parker.” Coop shakes his head and I swear to God there’s awe in his voice. “I always figured you for the vanilla type.” He leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Like I could stop you.” I curl my fingers, gesturing for him to lay it on me. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I get my pizza.
“This ought to be good,” Vaughn mutters.
“There’s just one thing I want to know.” The asshole looks me square in the eye and grins. “Does the fur tickle your balls when you’re hooking up?”
