Page 29 of Crease Collision

“Someone to hang out with. A guy to be there for you in ways the Condors can’t.” He narrows his eyes. “Readily available sex. You’ve told me before how it can be the only thing that calms you down.”

“Yes,” I whisper, hoping he’ll let that drop.

“Having someone in your life who understands you would be a lot better than letting your thoughts go haywire.”

I let out a long breath. “In that case, I’d have to tell him… about me.”

“Not right away. Only if you got habituated.” I shake my head, but Nico keeps talking. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Kai. You are an incredible man. Look at everything you’ve made of your life, the things you’ve learned to deal with that so many people never do. If Oskar’s worth the time of day, he’ll admire that.”

“Then I’d…” I take a quick drink of water. “If he understood me, I’d like him even more.”

Nico gives me the same no-nonsense look he uses on the team in the middle of a tough game. “Once again, that wouldn’t be bad. Liking a guy doesn’t mean things have to escalate.”

I bark out a laugh. “How’d that work out when you were dating Packy?”

Nico struggles not to laugh. “I didn’t say things couldn’t escalate, but they don’t have to. Why not find out if Oskar might be special enough to date for a while? It would be good for you.”

“No.” I say it too fast, then add, “We shouldn’t see each other again.”

What the fucking hell? I’m saying this when I’ve already made another date with Oskar and promised not to back out.

While I’m deciding whether to tell Nico this, the server brings the bill. Nico hands her a credit card before I can reach for my wallet.

“When are you seeing him again?” he asks.

I close my eyes and try to think of a way to escape the question.

“Kai?”

Nico’s voice has always been like verbal truth serum. I open my eyes and confess. “Tomorrow.”

“As I suspected. I’m proud of you, buddy. This is hard, I know, but maybe it’s time for Kai’s act two.”

“I’ll try.”

Nico’s right, even if I don’t want to admit it. Someone who knows me would be better than endless hookups. Especially since I’m sick and tired of those.

He taps my hand. “That’s the Kai I know, the one with guts enough to face down the best shooters in the league and never flinch.”

I take a deep breath and nod while I let it out slowly.

“Your brain likes to label things,” Nico tells me. “Why not call it friends with benefits, since you like Oskar?”

“Good idea. But I won’t say those words to him. Just in case.”

Nico snorts. “Keep telling yourself that.”

The server returns, and after Nico signs the bill, he turns his attention back to me. “You’re like a brother, Kai, and I’m always here for you. You’re not in this alone.”

“Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

Too late. I’m already thinking about tomorrow.

When I get home, I work on my current LEGO and process what Nico said at lunch. Friends with benefits was a good suggestion, but not sharing that with Oskar will be important. Any label carries implications, and I don’t want to give him the idea that this is more than it is.

Since it’s supposed to be ninety-three degrees tomorrow, walking around the city wouldn’t be any fun. I promised Oskar I’d text in the morning, but there’s nothing wrong with making plans now. I pick up my phone and start typing.

KAI: We still on for tomorrow?