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As if to prove the Swedish mind-reading thing was real, Hal added, “I know I asked him to let you live with him. I still think that’s been helpful to you.”

“It has,” Remy agreed. He felt so much better living with Jed than in the hotel, even if it had made his life—and my dick, he couldn’t help thinking—harder in other ways.

“Just don’t make me regret it.” And with that, Hal opened his door and ushered Remy out.

Remy pondered what Hal said as he got dressed and packed up. It sounded like Hal was worried about him using Jed—or even hurting him. Remy was pretty sure that wasn’t going to be an issue, because Jed would have to feel something for Remy for that to happen.

It also kind of sounded like Hal was giving him his blessing, or whatever, as long as he didn’t mess with Jed. Which, he would never.

Yeah, he was so confused. He needed to talk to someone about this. But if he called Lily about Jed again, she’d think he had an actual obsession and start worrying.

So when he got on the plane for the trip back to Colorado and found himself swept along by Petey and Jake toward their usual table, he thought, why not talk to them? It wasn’t like he had other options. And while they acted like overgrown man-children a lot of the time, they weren’t unintelligent. Just hockey-obsessed bros who were living their best lives, as far as he could tell.

He let Jake deal him into whatever they were playing today—it turned out to be gin rummy, so not too complicated—and played a few hands while he thought about how to bring it up. He didn’t know how to do it without giving away something about Jed.

In the end, Petey saved him, after laying down a huge hand and crowing about his card-playing prowess.

“So, Remy, I saw you leave the dance floor last night.”

“Yeah.” Where had Petey even been? Remy wondered. Maybe in the back hall, too. He and the blond guy definitely hadn’t been the only ones pressed up against the wall there.

“With a hot prospect,” Petey said, raising his eyebrows.

“Eh.”

“Eh? What’s that about? Feelin’ pretty awesome today? I can see for myself that it didn’t stay completely platonic.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“Don’t ask for TMI, dude,” said Jake. “We’ve talked about this too many times.”

“I’m not asking for TMI! I’m asking if it helped Remy feel better! Because if it did, I know a place where we can get you hooked up again tomorrow night. We’re goin’ out since we’ve got the day off.”

“To be honest,” Remy started, figuring that this was as good an opening as he was going to get, “it didn’t go that far. I’m still not sure picking up at a club is my thing.”

“That’s cool,” Jake said, sending Petey a quelling look before he could open his mouth. “It’s not for everyone.”

“Yeah, respect, man.” Petey picked up the new cards that Jake dealt and cackled a bit over how good his hand was.

Remy had now watched a few hours’ worth of games over the course of two road trips and was beginning to suspect that Jake had somehow figured out how to cheat and let Petey win to cheer him up whenever they suffered a painful loss on the road. Which meant he was a pretty awesome friend, because cheating effectively at a game that was mostly luck? Not that easy. Jake caught Remy’s considering look and gave him a wink, which pretty much confirmed his theory.

“So,” Petey said once he’d drawn, “that means you need a plan B. We’ll set you up. I know lots of guys, if that’s what you’re looking for at the moment.”

“Queer guys?” Remy had to ask.

“Queer enough to fuck you,” Petey said. “Or let you fuck them. I dunno. How picky are you?”

“About who I have sex with? Or are you seriously asking me my preference in positions?”

“More like, what kind of queer and is it only guys, or do you like whoever.”

Remy wondered briefly what alternative universe he found himself in where the bro-est of hockey bros was checking in on what kind of queer he was in order to facilitate an optimal hookup. Then again, Petey was Levi’s little brother. He’d grown up loving someone who was pan, out, and proud.

“Whoever. It’s mostly about the person, for me.”

“Cool, cool,” Petey said. “I’ll give it some thought. I’ve got a few possibilities in mind.”

“Or you could wait to see if Remy wants you to set him up,” Jake reminded him. “Maybe he’s not into that. I know it’s not your thing, but some people like to get to know a person before they fuck.”

“Right!” Petey said, brightening, like he couldn’t wait to drop some more knowledge. “Right, are you, like, demi? Because I can work with that, too.”