I stumbled through the crowd and finally pushed my way out of the doors, sucking in deep lungfuls of the cool autumn air, my heart in my throat. Reaching up, I shoved my fingers through my dark hair, my hands shaking. Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I quickly made my way to the sidewalk, just wanting to get home and lock myself in my room until I managed to sort through what the fuck just happened between me and Rider.
Whyhad my roommate and best friendkissedme in front of not only thousands of fans within the arena but also every fucking person viewing from home? I’d always been in love with Rider, but I was sure there’d always been a line there I couldn’t cross.
Had I been wrong all along?
The front door opened so fast, it almost put a dent into the wall. I swung around, staring at Rider with wide eyes. He was still in his basketball uniform, not even having bothered to shower and change like he normally would, which meant he’d also skipped out on his post-game interview, something his coaches would rip him a new asshole for at the next practice.
I’d walked in the door a mere minute ago, only having managed to get my shoes off. I hadn’t even made it to my bedroom yet, which meant I hadn’t had time tothink.
“We need to talk,” Rider said, dropping his bag by the door and shutting the front door behind him. “You’re not running from this, Ash.”
“How did you get home so fast?” I demanded, my palms already beginning to sweat. I wasn’t sure if I could deal with this right now.
“Took off as soon as we were allowed in the locker rooms,” he told me. “You ran out of there like a bat out of hell.” He toed his shoes off, his eyes remaining locked on me, like he knew the moment he turned his gaze away from mine, I’d take off running for my room and lock him out.
“Youkissedme,” I hissed. “In front ofeveryonewatching, might I add.”
He nodded, his jaw locked tight. “I did,” he confirmed. “And I don’t fucking regret it.” My heart flipped in my chest. “I’ve beenin love with you for weeks now, Ash. How the fuck could Inotbe? You’reperfect.” My heart was beating so fast, it hurt. He took a step closer to me, and when I didn’t budge, he wrapped his long fingers around my upper arms, dipping his head so our eyes remained locked.
“Being gay in the sports world is one thing, Rider, but I’m trans, and people aren’t nearly as open about that—” I started, but he cut me off, appearing frustrated for a moment before he shoved that emotion down, just like healwaysdid when it came to me.
He shook his head. “No. Don’t do that. You’veneverbeen insecure about who you are, Ash. Don’t start now, you hear me?Youare all I want. I loveevery fucking piece of you, baby. I don’t give a fuck what the homophobic mother fuckers have to say about us being together.You’re perfect the fucking way you are.”
My lips trembled, tears burning in my eyes. It was all I’d ever wanted, but I knew how harsh people could be to and about trans individuals. I didn’t want Rider exposed to that just because he wanted to date me.
“People arecruel, Rider, and you’re too good for all that.”
He shook his head. “If someone has something to say about you, baby, they havemeto contend with. I just… I shouldn’t have kissed you at the game. I know that. But I was riding high on the win, and you wereright there.” A crooked smile tilted his lips. “I’m impulsive, and sometimes, I’m not all that rational. I know that.” I snorted, though it was weak. “But IknowI want you. I want this. I can’t keep sharing this apartment with you and still manage to keep everything I feel bottled up inside.” He swallowed thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Be with me, Ash.Please. Don’t worry about the rest of the world. What doyouwant?”
I sucked in a shuddering breath and licked my lips. “You don’t care that I’m trans?” I asked. I knew we’d lived together for weeks now and he’d never seemed to care, but dating a trans man and just rooming with one were two drastically different territories.
“I don’t give a fuck what you do or don’t have in your pants, baby. I will love and adore every single piece of you, you hear me?” He rested his forehead on mine. “So, what do you say? Be mine?”
A laugh bubbled from my chest. “Valentine’s day is tomorrow. How fucking corny of you, Rider.”
He grinned. “What can I say? I’m a fucking romantic.”
I snorted a laugh, then leaned in, tentatively kissing him. He groaned, his fingers tightening on my upper arms as he quickly deepened the kiss. “Does this mean what I think it does?” he rasped against my lips.
I nodded, our noses brushing. “Yeah,” I said softly. “Let’s give this a go, Rider. I’m head over heels for you, too.”
He groaned and gripped the back of my thighs, lifting me. I squeaked and wrapped my arms and legs around him, but then, no other thoughts were needed because Rider was kissing me again.
Chapter Three
Rider
He’d agreed to be with me. To be my boyfriend.
To bemine.
And now, he was kissing me back, no longer frozen in shock like he’d been at the end of the game when I’d kissed him in front of hundreds of fans and in front of what was probably thousands of people watching the game from home on their televisions.
I was starving for him. So fucking hungry, I could barely contain it. And selfishly, I was going to go as far as I could with him. As far as he would let me. I’d waited so long to have this with him, to be with him, that I could barely contain my happiness.
“Rider,” Ash gasped into my mouth as I pushed open my bedroom door. He ground against me, and I moaned into his mouth. I could feel the warmth of him through his jeans, andfuck, it was intoxicating. I was drowning in him already, and we’d done nothing more than fucking kiss. Shit, we’d barely even made it to my bedroom.
“You’re driving me crazy,” I growled, my lips working down his neck.
