“I think it’s great that the university has an orientation for LGBT students. I feel more comfortable knowing we’re all safe with each other.” Elliot gave a quick smile, and Wolf returned it with a faint one of his own.
“Not sure any of us can say we’re completely safe.”
“Shh.” A guy in front of them with platinum-blond hair turned around and glared. “They’re about to speak.” He faced front.
Spencer rolled his eyes and flipped the guy off. Wolf pressed his lips together to keep from laughing, and Spencer beckoned him closer and put his lips to his ear.
“I hate uptight people. He needs to unclench.”
Goose bumps broke out over Wolf’s body at the barely there touch of Spencer’s mouth, but he managed to hold it together and give a jerky nod.Hewas clenched so fucking tight, he might explode.
They spent the next hour listening to various speakers and collecting pamphlets about safety and learning where to find LGBT-friendly restaurants and shops. Wolf paid little attention, knowing he wasn’t planning on an active social life. He was in college to study hard, get into a good law school, then get a job in the DA’s office in the city, where he’d learn everything he’d need to know about criminal law.
The meeting over, the four of them stood, and Wolf hefted his backpack to his shoulder. Spencer pushed the blond waves out of his eyes, and Wolf wondered if they were as soft and silky as they looked.
“Why don’t we go back to the dorm? We can pick out our rooms and stuff.”
“Sounds good to me.” Elliot again flashed that quick, nervous smile.
Spencer elbowed Wolf. “I know you said you’re going to be busy, but it’scollege. It’s supposed to be the best time of our life, and I, for one, plan to take full advantage of it.”
And for the next few months, Spencer kept his word and went out every weekend, often not coming home until well past midnight. Wolf knew exactly when, because he’d be up studying and would hear Spencer’s drunk laughter and exaggerated attempts to be quiet. Elliot and Chess also went out but usually came home earlier. Wolf felt protective of Elliot, who seemed to find a new boyfriend every week, while Chess was more reserved and didn’t talk much. But the four of them went to all their meals together, and Wolf learned what it was like to have friends.
Late one night, he was studying in his room and heard Chess, Elliot, and Spencer come home and hang out in the common living area. At the mention of his name, he left his desk to stand by the door and listen.
“I wish Wolf would come out with us. I hate that he stays home all the time,” Elliot grumbled, and Wolf smiled to himself. He truly liked Elliot and wished he would stop throwing himself at every guy who paid attention to him.
“I do too,” Chess said. “The few times he did, though, he didn’t look like he was having a great time. I wouldn’t want to force him. He’s so dedicated to his studying.”
“He needs to get laid, if you ask me.” Spencer yawned. “And I’d be the first in line to offer myself up.”
“Spencer. Don’t tell me you like Wolf…I meanlike…you know…” Elliot’s shock was nowhere near Wolf’s own. He strained to hear the answer over the pounding in his ears. For weeks he thought he’d been getting signals from Spencer—the brush of their legs when they sat near each other, a lingering touch when he’d pass the TV remote or the bowl of popcorn on movie nights. Sometimes a prickle of awareness rose on his nape, and he’d turn around to find Spencer gazing at him.
What would happen if he let down his guard with Spencer? Night after night heburnedfor him, his dreams growing more erotic and graphic. He’d wake up sweating and gasping, the sheets wet and sticky. Spencer was his opposite in every way—happy, popular, outgoing, sexual, sexy as hell, andfree.
“Of course I do,” Spencer was saying. “Are you kidding? He’s fucking gorgeous, and you know those silent types are always the best lovers. Plus, I’ve peeked in the shower, and his dick is huge. I’d love to feel it inside me.”
“Oh my God,Spencer,” Chess choked out, but Wolf, hearing those words, had grown hard thinking about Spencer naked and in his bed. His hands balled into fists at his sides, and his breath came in shallow pants. What was happening to him? He didn’t have dirty, erotic thoughts about Elliot or Chess. Only Spencer.
“What? It’s true,” Spencer replied.
“Don’t you think if you and Wolf got together it would be awkward? What if it didn’t work out?”
“I’m not asking to be his boyfriend. I mean, it’s freshman year. Who wants that?”
Listening to Spencer, Wolf died a little, almost stopped breathing. Those words hurt as much as if a stake had been hammered into his heart.
“Oh, I thought you meant you wanted to go out with him. Be boyfriends.” Elliot sighed. “That’s what I’m looking for.”
“Not me. Could you imagine Wolf and me together? We’re opposites in everything. That would be a laugh. And I’m not into being exclusive. The more the merrier, you know? Butmmhmm. To get a taste of that hot, sexy broodiness? I wouldn’t say no.”
Wolf stopped eavesdropping and returned to his desk. He buried himself in a class reading that wasn’t due until the following week, but since he was too worked up to go to sleep, he figured he’d get a head start. He needed something to occupy his mind instead of hearing Spencer say he wasn’t interested in dating, just in fucking him once and moving on.
At one thirty in the morning, he stretched and decided it was time for bed. It was quiet in the common area, so the guys must’ve gone to sleep. He opened the door, heading to the bathroom, when another door opened and Spencer stepped out. Wolf tensed.
“Hi. Late night studying again?”
Spencer was naked except for his boxers, and Wolf refused to look anywhere but at his face.
