Page 75 of Game Misconduct

“I dunno.” Leif could practically see Tanner shrug, despite the fact that there was no video connection. “So, um, my mom thinks I’m going to break your heart or something.”

Leif released a strangled laugh. “I’m sorry.What?”

“I know, dumb, right?” Tanner laughed, sounding like himself for the first time tonight.

“Uhh, well I’m not going to insult your mom but?—”

Tanner hooted. “Says the guy who accused her of sleeping with the coach to get her baby a spot on the team.”

“Yes, okay, and I’m sorry about that. Besides, that wasbefore.”

“Before what?”

Before I found out you talk in your sleep and you make these cute little snuffling noises into your pillow when you’re woken up before you want to be,Leif thought, though he certainly wasn’t going to say any of that aloud. Because it was going to sound like he was falling for Tanner or something. Fucking ridiculous.

“Before … ugh, never mind,” Leif said.

“No. What were you going to say, dude? I wanna—Motherfucker learn to use your turn signal!” Tanner shouted, laying on his horn.

Leif flinched at the volume. So much for his hearing.

“Sorry,” Tanner said a moment later, back to being cheerful. “Fucking Masshole drivers.”

“You’rea Masshole driver,” Leif pointed out. Tanner had been born in Massachusetts, for fuck’s sake. Weirdly, he didn’t have an accent at all.

“At least I know how to fucking use my turn signal,” Tanner pointed out. “Unlikesomepeople.”

“Remind me to never get in a car with you behind the wheel.”

Tanner made a sputtering noise.

“Anyway, the point of what I was saying earlier is that I am not going to insult your mom by saying she’s dumb but she’s totally off base about me having feelings for you.”

“Oh. Cool. That’s what I thought.”

“There’s this guy, Sérgio,” Leif said, attempting to sound casual. “He’s a model I know. We hook up when he’s in town.”

“Oh sweet. I bet he’s hot.”

“Yeah, totally,” Leif agreed, because he was. Pure perfection from head to toe. Thick lashes, gleaming white smile, cleft chin, chiseled abs, nice cock, soft skin, long legs …

And then Leif thought of Tanner with his stupid messy curls and his bright smile and the calluses on his hands and the bruises always littering his skin and sighed because damn it, he knew which one he wanted right now.

Not that Stephanie Forester was right about Leif falling in love with him or anything.Thatwould be utterly ridiculous.

“So why does your mom think you’ll break my heart?” he asked.

“Hell if I know.” Tanner snorted. “I dunno, I guess she thinks I kinda do that to people?”

“Do what?”

“Get bored with people and move on.”

“I thought you were clear about things when you hooked up with people?”

“I am! I dunno, she was talking about friends and stuff, mostly, I think. There are loads of hookups I’ve had who I’m still friends with after, you know?”

“Okay.” Leif frowned, confused.