Chapter seven

Igive my dick a couple more tugs before my orgasm crashes over me and I paint the shower wall with my cum.

My poor dick.

I've been rock-hard ever since I helped Ryder test out the car for Garrett’s buyer. Who could blame me? The man I’ve been crushing on since my senior year of high school straddled me.

I’m surprised I didn’t combust there and then. Though the four orgasms a day probably mean it’s a slow-burn thing.

I rinse down the wall before turning off the shower and stepping out, pulling a towel around my waist. Wiping the condensation from the mirror, I can’t help the escaping sigh. The straddling was hot, but it’s not just that. We spent hours together. That’s never happened before, and I loved it.

Every. Fucking. Second.

He’s so captivating. We talked about anything and everything before I ran away. The way he was smiling at me was messing with my head. Like he wants me in all the ways I want him.

I yearn for that.

It won’t happen again though. I haven’t forgotten Ryder’s words from a couple of weeks ago.

“I have definitely slept with every attractive queer guy within a five-mile radius.”

I look at my face in the mirror. What is it about me that he doesn’t like? Actually, let’s not start down that road. He’s not into me. Nothing I can do about that. It just means there shouldn’t be more hangouts like the other day.

It’s hardly fair to him if I want something he doesn’t know about.

Ugh, this is fucking sucky. And complicated.

Maybe Gio and Perry are right. Maybe I should go on a date or a hookup. My poor dick needs a break from my hand.

I jump out of my skin as someone pounds on my bathroom door.

“Lexi, hurry your ass up. We have visitors.”

“Why didn’t you text me from downstairs like a normal person?” I ask Kait as I open the door.

“Because you were in the shower, dumbass. Do you often take your phone in there?” I don’t bother answering her. I just flip her off as I go into my room and grab some ratty clothes from my dresser. The only visitors we have, other than Ryder, are cheerleaders. And I’m not putting jeans on for them.

“Hurry up, little bro,” she says, leaving my room. I quickly get dressed and head downstairs.

I stop in my tracks as soon as I see who has come for a visit. “Pa? Dad?” I feel a huge grin take over my face as I see my parents sitting at the kitchen table. Their chairs scrape back as they rush out of their seats to envelop me in a bone-crushing hug.

“Hey, Lexikins,” Dad says, pulling away. I hear a deep chuckle and look behind me to see Ryder walking into the kitchen.

“I forgot your parents call you that,” he says with way too much glee.

“Nope. Whatever you’re thinking, just nope.”

“What?” The picture of innocence this man is not.

“You have a twinkle in your eye.” I cross my arms stubbornly. “No one outside of this room will ever know that my parents call me Lexikins.”

Ryder holds his hands up in surrender, a smirk playing on his gorgeous mouth. “My lips are sealed.”

God, I wish they were sealed…around my dick.

I really need to not think dirty thoughts in front of my dads. They can read me like a book. While I’m pretty sure they know about my crush on Ryder, they’ve never said anything. Just the occasional knowing look. Like the one Pa is giving me right now.

“So, to what do we owe the pleasure?” I ask, turning to Dad.

“We don’t need a reason to spend time with our offspring.” He makes his way into the living room.

“We were cleaning out the attic, and he found a box of your old toys,” Pa explains as the rest of us follow Dad into the living room and sit on the sofas. Kait sits between Dad and Pa on the big couch, leaving Ryder and me on the loveseat. His entire body presses against mine. My body tingles where his skin meets mine.

My poor dick.

Can getting an erection and having it deflate multiple times a day be a workout? Like push-ups? I mean, it is a muscle. Maybe it’ll get girthier? I should Google that later.

“Is there a game today? We’d love to see you cheer.” Dad’s eyes light up at the thought, my pa smiling at him affectionately. Dad and Pa met at cheerleading camp when they were eighteen years old. They say their eyes met across the blue mat, and it was love at first sight. They had pompom bouquets when they got married. It’s totally cheesy, but I kinda love it.

“Not today, but you’re coming to our cheer competition next month, right?” Kait swivels her head between the two of them.

“Kait, your parents haven’t missed a cheer comp yet. I think you’re good.” Ryder laughs at her. “I’m pretty positive they have them all on video.”

Kait responds by giving him a sickly-sweet smile and flipping him the bird. People have asked me over the years if I’m jealous that my twin sister’s best friend is a guy who isn’t me. I think because they have a sibling-like relationship, I never really have been. I love that she has that kind of friendship with someone.

And Ryder is a good guy through and through. Even if he does have the whole bad-boy aesthetic going on. I look down at the intrinsic artwork covering his arm and hand squashed next to mine. Beautiful. I bet that hand would look so fucking sexy on my bare skin, cupping my balls as his puffy lips stretched around the tip of my leaking cock.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Are you okay, Lexi?” Pa asks with a knowing look. “You’re squirming. Are you a little uncomfortable?”

Kill me now.

“It is a bit cramped,” Ryder says. “I know what will fix it.” He lifts the arm I’m having dirty thoughts about and wraps it around my shoulders. That delicious-looking hand is now cupping my shoulder.

“Why are you so stiff? Relax into me, and you’ll be comfy.”

Where is this touchy-feely crap coming from? He’s always been like this with Kait, but not me. I mean, we’ve always been friendly, joked around and whatever, but not this. Not snuggles. And especially not in front of my parents.

I almost hear the snick of a switch as the metaphorical light bulb of realization flares to life inside my brain. Ryder has decided we’re besties. That explains why he asked me to help him with his car and doesn’t seem to mind if my family sees us snuggled together. It doesn’t mean anything to him.

I don’t mean anything to him.

It feels like a bucket of ice-cold water has poured over me, seeping into my bones.

He has decided he wants friendship. Not that he ever wanted anything else. That stupid conversation I overheard weeks ago rears its head.

“I have definitely slept with every attractive queer guy within a five-mile radius.”

I stand abruptly.

“Should we go and grab some lunch? Pa, you said you wanted to visit The Delphi next time you were in town. They serve great wings.” I look at Pa in desperation, hoping no one else picks up on it.

“Yeah, that sounds great.” He smiles at me sadly.

“How do you know that?” Ryder asks. His arms are crossed now that he has all the room on the loveseat.

I’m so confused. “How do I know what?”

“How do you know they serve great wings? You hate wings.” My eyebrows knit together. How does he know that? He picks up on my confused expression. “You don’t like meat with bones in it. It’s why you rarely eat fish.”

I can’t help but gape at him. Ryder stands and rolls his eyes. “I’ve known you for four years. I’m not totally clueless. Go get changed. I’m going to pee before we leave.” He leaves the room, and I just turn and stare at my parents and sister.

“What are you waiting for? Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m starving.” Kait says, shooing me with her hands.

I run up to my room and throw on some jeans and a sweater.

This day is so fucking weird.

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“Why don’t you guys go in? I want to talk to Lexi for a moment,” Pa says, holding my arm to stop me as the others enter the bar. Dad frowns slightly but nods.

“We will order you both drinks.” Dad doesn’t have to ask for our drink order because we always have the same. Lemonade, no ice.

“Thanks, honey,” Pa says and then turns to me. “What is going on with you?”

“What do you mean?” I stall for time. Not that it’ll work. Any second now, Pa will shoot me that look that means there’s no getting out of this conversation. I used to hate it in middle school. He raises his eyebrows.

Yup, there it is. This man really does have an encyclopedia of facial expressions. I let out a sigh and slump against the wall of the bar.

“I know you know I’ve had a crush on Ryder for a while.” Pa pats my shoulder.

“Lexikins, I think the only one who doesn’t know about your crush is Ryder himself,” he says sympathetically.

I suck in a breath. “You think Kait knows?”

“I think she has suspected for a while. You know Kait though. She isn’t going to say anything to either of you. She hates being in the middle of stuff.” He smiles warmly. “If anything is happening with you and Ryder, you know she’ll support you. So don’t hide it.”

“Nothing is happening with Ryder and me,” I sputter.

“Lexi…”

“I mean it! He’s been a little more touchy-feely lately, but it’s similar to how he is with Kait. I wish he saw me like that, but it is what it is.” I paste on a fake smile. “Can we go eat now?”

Pa draws me in for a hug. “I’m sorry you’re hurting, Lexikins.”

He releases me and we go into the bar, spotting the others immediately. Ryder and Kait are looking at her phone and laughing while Dad looks at us, eyebrows knitted together in worry. I give him a reassuring smile that I think works because his shoulders relax. I squeeze into the booth next to him, and he wraps me in a warm hug, transporting me back to when I was a kid. Dad has always been a big hugger.

“I’m okay, Dad,” I whisper. “Pa was just asking me about boys.”

He pulls back. “Boys? There’s a boy?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ryder’s head whip around to stare at us.

“You have a boyfriend?” Kait asks. People think twins can read each other’s minds, and while I’m sure some can, Kait and I can’t. I can’t even read her expressions. “When did this happen?”

“It didn’t happen. I don’t have a boyfriend,” I say, ignoring everyone’s looks and picking up a menu. “I think I might get a BLT sandwich with loaded fries.”

Kait whips the menu out of my hands. “Lexi—”

“Kait, I don’t have anyone. I spend all my time watching movies with you or cheering. Pa was just asking generally, not because there is someone.” I take my menu back. “Actually, I think I’ll go for the club sandwich.”

Thankfully everyone takes that to mean the subject is closed. Dad pats my hand covertly, giving me an apologetic smile. The conversation moves on, but the whole way through lunch, Ryder barely takes his eyes off me. Like I’m a puzzle to ponder.