3. Perry

Chapter 3

Perry

"Neighbor?"

The word bounced around my brain like a toddler on a sugar high.

Hottie lives in the house next door?

Fuck.

His eyebrows knit together, concern etched on his face. I can only imagine the look on my face right now. I just can't have him say anything about the shit show that is my family. I don't want that.

I stick out my hand and plaster on a smile. "Sorry, I didn't realise there was a new guy on the hockey team. I'm Perry."

He slides his hand into mine in a way that I swear should not be as sensual as it is. When was the last time I had sex? Definitely before Christmas. Maybe even before thanksgiving. The only orgasms I've had lately have been self inflicted either by watching a WatchMe creator I subscribe to or…shit. I've imagined Hottie so many times as I've jerked off. How could I not? That smile. Those arms. And wearing a backwards hat? There is no way he is real. He has literally been plucked from my sexual fantasies.

"I'm not a hockey player," he says in a deep velvety voice. "I live in the house on the other side. It was my grandpa's house and I've inherited it."

"That's nice."

Hottie rolls his lips like he's trying not to laugh at the say time Luke hisses my name.

"Shit, I didn't mean it's nice that your grandpa died. I meant that it's nice you're moving to the area." I run my free hand through my hair and realise my other one is still clasping his.

Between the car shit show and this, Hottie is going to think I'm a fucking idiot.

"I figured you meant something like that," He chuckles. "What sport do you all play?"

"We are cheerleaders. Go Rhino's. Woo." I yell and punch the air.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

"That is really cool. I'll have to make sure I catch a game next season," he smiles at me. "I should get back. There are a couple of things I have to unpack tonight if I want to sleep and shower. It was great meeting you all."

Perfect.

Now I'm going to be picturing him in the shower.

Naked.

Water cascading over his tan body, droplets clinging to the end of his erection.

Me on my knees, licking at the beads of pre-come pooling at the tip of his cock.

"Okay, bye."

I fucking wave at him and then practically run into the kitchen.

There was no way I could stand there in the hall with those fantasies running through my dirty brain. Popping a boner in front of the guy who saw one of my worst moments would be a new low.

I open the refrigerator when I hear the front door slam shut, and I pull out some ready to roll cookie dough packages. Maybe if I look like I'm doing something, the others won't question why I was weird.

"Dude, why were you weird to Beau?" Wyatt asks, walking into the kitchen with Hudson, Luke, and Gio trailing behind him.

"Who is Beau?"

Hudson snorts. "Cute."

"What? Why is Perry cute?" Wyatt asks, looking between us.

"Perry is trying to deflect." Hudson says, sitting at the island.

Wyatt drops down next to him. "Oh, so Perry isn't really cute."

How dare he?! "Fuck you, I am adorable."

"Adorably attracted to Beau." Gio interjects.

Beau.

Now that is a name to scream through an orgasm.

"Who says I'm-"

"I have never seen you that flustered," Luke cuts in. "It was weird. Like watching a blue tang reading a book."

"Thank you for that," I sigh. Not that it matters or I care or anything, but Beau is going to think I'm an idiot.

I hate people thinking I'm anything other than in complete control at all times.

Wyatt wags his eyebrows. "Do you have a crush on our hot neighbor?"

"It's like you don't want any of my hot cookies," I tell him as I open the packages.

"What? I do I want cookies." Wyatt says, giving me puppy dog eyes. I keep my expression neutral. I am not letting anyone know that whenever they do those faces, it has an effect on me.

"Stop talking about my crush on Beau and you get cookies."

I don't even need to look at my friends' faces before I realize I fucked up

"Okay, you know I didn't mean an actual crush. I was talking about you guys giving me shit," I say, stumbling over my words in a panic. "If you all carry on, none of you are getting cookies."

There's a chorus of no's and I give in.

"Fine, you can each have two." I put the rolled out cookies onto the baking sheets and put them in the oven. Probably should have pre-heated it. Whatever, I'll leave them in for an extra minute.

I'm definitely not going to tell them my plans for the rest of these cookies.

I will never hear the end of it if they find out.

I get it; I'm not really one to crush on guys.

That's a lie.

I don't really talk a lot about men I might be into. What's the point? They aren't going to last long.

"You okay?"

I look up from rolling out the dough to see Hudson's soulful brown eyes on me while everyone else is chatting among themselves. Wyatt's quiet bestie sees a lot more than I want him to. Him and Nate. A part of me wonders why Hudson and Nate aren't the inseparable duo, but then you see him and Wyatt together, and it makes sense. I used to think they were straight best friend goals. Now, I'm pretty sure Wyatt is the only person who thinks Wyatt is straight. And Hudson is…something.

I know I shouldn't question people's gender or sexuality, but does it count if the only person I'm speculating with is myself?

"Perry?" Hudson is frowning now.

"Sorry, I've been thinking about my class with Professor Gordon." Not the truth, but also not a total lie. Hudson doesn't look like he totally believe me, but he lets it go.

"What's the problem?"

"I need to market a small business launch. It counts as 40% of my grade, so I need to pull something epic out of my ass."

I got the email of the assignment earlier today and it is going to be so much work. This kind of project is usually set at the beginning of a semester, not halfway through.

"What's stuck in your ass?" Nate says, coming into the kitchen and flopping down on Hudson's other side. I think I'm the only one who doesn't miss the flash of a scowl Wyatt throws Nate's way.

What the fuck is that about?

It's gone before I can say anything.

"Sadly nothing. Why? Do you want to take a look to be sure?" I wink at Nate.

"Ew, dude, no. You're like my little brother." He shivers in disgust.

"One; I'm older than you. Two; I'd be offended if I didn't feel the same way."

I feel that way about each one of these idiots. They are the family I chose. Even if none of them knows it.

"Is it just school that's bothering you?" Hudson asks.

Thankfully, the timer goes off before I can answer. I busy myself with the cookies and ignoring Hudson's penetrating gaze.

There is no way in hell I am going to tell anyone that my family treats me like shit and no longer wants me in their life.

Logically, I know these guys love me, but what if knowing my mom and sister cut me off makes them think that I'm the problem?

I can't lose my cheer queers.

Before they descend like locusts onto the cookies, I put a few in a food bag.

"They're hot, but help yourself."

I slip out with my baked goods and head up to my room. There is no way I am going to let anyone think I'm an idiot. Tomorrow I will show Beau exactly how put together I am.