22. Sydney

CHAPTER 22

SYDNEY

I stand outside DJ's apartment, my heart hammering against my ribcage like it's trying to make a jailbreak. I raise my fist to knock on the door but hesitate, my hand hovering in midair.

I've been dreading this ever since I got DJ's text inviting me over, impending doom sitting heavy in my gut.

Because I know what's coming. The big reveal about him and Tyler being together.

And where exactly that leaves me—alone on the sidelines, watching the two of them ride off into the sunset together.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. I can do this. I have to do this .

DJ and Tyler deserve to have a chance at happiness together, no matter how much it hurts to step aside. Those stolen moments between DJ and I, those scorching hot hookups...they can't hold a candle to the years of history DJ has with his goalie.

I knew what I was getting into from the start.

Another deep breath. In and out. You've got this, Syd . With a burst of determination, I rap my knuckles against the door.

A few endless seconds later, it swings open to reveal DJ. His dark hair is perfectly tousled, his chiseled jaw dotted with just the right amount of scruff. He's shirtless, miles of tattooed muscles and smooth skin on display.

Hockey has been very, very good to him . I have to stop myself from openly ogling his godlike physique.

"Hey Syd," he greets me, a small smile tugging at his full lips. But I can see the unease in his brown eyes. "Come on in."

I step inside, my stomach churning with nerves. This is it. The moment of truth.

I open my mouth, the words I've rehearsed a hundred times poised on the tip of my tongue. But what comes out instead is:

"I know about you and Tyler. And it's okay. Really. I'm happy for you both."

DJ blinks at me, clearly taken aback. He runs a hand through his hair, mussing it further.

Damn him for looking so fucking good without even trying.

He looks down at the floor, a flush rising on his cheeks. "Syd, I...I don't know what to say. This thing with Ty, it's new. We're still figuring it out ourselves."

I nod, a lump forming in my throat.

"I get it, DJ. And I meant what I said - I'm happy for you. You guys clearly have something special." I square my shoulders. This is what's best . "I don't want to get in the way of that. So I'm going to step back, give you two some space to explore this."

DJ takes a step closer, his eyes stormy with regret. "Syd, no, that's not what I want. You're important to me too."

"I should go," I say firmly, turning to leave before I lose my nerve.

"Syd, wait—" DJ calls, just as the door opens again and Tyler walks through.

My eyes widen as Tyler steps inside, looking as surprised to see me as I am to see him. He's dressed casually in a faded Blizzards t-shirt and jeans, his dark blond hair still damp from a shower. Those piercing blue eyes of his flick between me and DJ, assessing the situation.

"Sydney. Hey." Tyler's voice is cautious, hesitant. He shuts the door behind him with a soft click.

DJ clears his throat. "I, uh, asked you both to come over. I think the three of us need to talk. But first… is anyone hungry?" He smiles weakly.

I take a sip of my wine, laughing at Tyler's story about the puppy he had growing up that ate his science fair project.

"The teacher didn't believe me even after my parents vouched for me!" Tyler chuckles.

"My childhood dog once got into my secret stash of Halloween candy," DJ says with a grin. Noticing our alarmed expressions, he hastily adds, "he was fine, puked everywhere before the chocolate made him too sick. But cleaning that up was not fun, and I got in trouble for hoarding."

"I always wanted a pet, but we moved around too much," I share wistfully, feeling a twinge of old longing.

DJ reaches over and squeezes my hand. "Well, maybe someday we can get a dog."

My heart skips at the casual domesticity of his comment. Together?

I'm saved from responding when DJ pops up to clear our dinner plates and grab the dessert he has prepped.

Tyler and I dig into the sinfully delicious flourless chocolate cake before us, and DJ clears his throat.

"So, uh, I have something to say to you both. And I'm not sure how it's going to go..."

Tyler and I exchange cautious glances.

"I'm poly," DJ continues. "Ethically non-monogamous."

"Okay..." I say slowly, absorbing the information. I knew that DJ was never tied down to any one person for long, but I didn't realize there was more to it than that.

Tyler's face is unreadable.

DJ clears his throat nervously. "That means I'm capable of having romantic feelings for multiple people at once. And right now, those people are you. Both of you."

DJ's brown eyes are earnest as they flick between me and Tyler.

"You...want to date both of us? At the same time?" Tyler clarifies, clearly thrown.

DJ nods. "I like you both. I'd like to keep exploring what we have, see where it goes. Together. But I'll understand if you're not up for that."

My mind is spinning. I suddenly feel like I'm teetering on the precipice of something big, something that could change my whole life.

Share DJ...with Tyler?

The idea is strange but oddly thrilling. A fresh start, totally different from what I had with Paul. Freedom to explore, to be myself, to be part of something new.

"I'm in," I hear myself say. DJ's face lights up. He turns to Tyler expectantly.

"Um. Wow." Tyler rubs the back of his neck. "I like you, man. And Syd, I mean, you're amazing, I respect you so much, I think you know that. But this is a lot. I think I need some time to wrap my head around it, y'know?"

"Of course, take all the time you need," DJ says reassuringly.

Under the table, his hand finds mine again and gives it a hopeful squeeze. I squeeze back, my pulse thrumming with nerves and excitement.

This is so not how I thought this conversation was going to go…not that I'm complaining.

Tyler rises from the table, those bulging biceps flexing as he stretches. "I should probably head out," he says, glancing towards the door.

DJ shoots Tyler a probing look. "I'll walk you out, man."

Tyler nods and meets DJ's intense gaze. Something heated sparks between them. I gulp, suddenly flushed. Avoiding their gaze as they walk towards the entryway, I give them a moment of privacy by bringing my wine glass into the living room and finding a comfortable seat on the couch.

Low murmurs drift in from the hallway, voices too quiet to make out. Then the talking stops, replaced by a loaded silence.

My imagination runs wild picturing what they might be doing out there. Tyler pressing DJ against the wall, their hard bodies aligned. DJ's hands fisting in Tyler's sandy hair as they kiss heatedly...

Oh god .

Arousal pools hot and heavy in my core and suddenly I can't resist. This whole night has been like a surreal dream and in one impulsive move, I wriggle out of my pants and kick them aside, pushing aside the thin lace of my panties with my fingers.

The first touch of my fingers against my aching clit has me biting back a moan. I stroke myself slowly, picturing these two gorgeous men—men that I've been attracted to both individually and together for a long while now, if I'm honest—making out right outside the door.

Just then DJ opens the door and steps inside, freezing when he sees me sprawled on the couch in just my top, my hands in my panties. His eyes widen for a second before a smirk spreads across his handsome face.

"And here I thought we already had dessert," he drawls. His gaze rakes over my curves appreciatively.

A flush spread across my skin under his heated stare. A thrill zings through me. I've never been this bold before, stripping right in someone's living room.

"I was waiting for you," I say, trying to sound seductive.

DJ stalks towards me, peeling off his shirt to reveal chiseled abs. "Is that so?" He kneels on the couch, hovering over me. "Lucky me."

I reach up and trail my fingers over the hard ridges of his stomach. God, he's ripped .

"I think we could both get lucky," I murmur brazenly.

He chuckles, a deep, masculine sound. "Oh, I like the way you think, gorgeous."

Then his mouth is on mine in a searing kiss. I moan against his lips as his tongue sweeps inside to tangle with mine. Large hands skim down my sides to grip my hips. I arch into his touch, my body already aching for more.

DJ kisses a path down my neck, teeth grazing my collarbone. I gasp as he nips at the top of my breast. Nimble fingers unclasp my bra and toss it aside.

"Beautiful," he rumbles, before lavishing attention on my newly bared skin.

I'm lost in a haze of sensation as his wicked mouth explores my body. My hands fist in his hair.

"Please," I whimper as he kisses lower, teasing the edge of my panties. I need him so badly it hurts.

He hooks his fingers in the lace and drags them down my legs. I kick them off impatiently. Then he's spreading my thighs, his hot breath fanning over my most sensitive parts. The first swipe of his tongue has me crying out.

DJ licks and sucks until I'm writhing beneath him. When he slides two fingers inside me, I nearly come undone. He pumps them in and out, curling them to hit that perfect spot as his lips close around my clit. The dual sensations send me flying over the edge.

I shatter with a hoarse cry.

He gentles me through the aftershocks before surging up to kiss me fiercely. I can taste myself on his tongue. I shove at his jeans and boxer briefs frantically, needing to feel all of him. He helps me strip off the rest of his clothes.

Then he's lifting me into his arms and lowering us to the plush rug in front of the couch. He settles over me, his hard length nestling between my thighs. I wrap my legs around his waist.

"Beg for me," DJ says roughly. His eyes burn into mine.

I whimper. "Please, DJ. I need your cock inside me. Please, I'll do anything."

With a groan, he thrusts forward, filling me in one smooth stroke. I gasp at the exquisite stretch. He pauses, letting me adjust. When I roll my hips, he starts to move.

He sets a deep, steady rhythm that has my eyes rolling back. I meet him thrust for thrust, our bodies moving in perfect sync. Pleasure builds and builds as he takes me higher.

I'm so close, teetering on the brink. "Don't stop," I pant.

He drives into me harder. "Never, baby. I'll give you everything you need."

A few more powerful thrusts and I'm flying apart, his name a euphoric scream on my lips. DJ follows me over with a guttural moan, his hot length pulsing deep inside me.

Later that night, tangled in DJ's silk sheets, I lie there breathless and flushed. DJ dozes peacefully beside me, his chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm, but sleep eludes me.

My mind keeps drifting to Tyler, imagining his strong hands caressing my skin as DJ's talented lips trail fire down my neck.

A delicious shiver runs through me at the taboo thought, igniting a fresh tingle of arousal despite my satisfied exhaustion. I picture Tyler's intense eyes piercing into mine as DJ works his magic, the three of us joined in passion.

It's a desire that defies convention, but who says that means it can't work?

I know it's the unspoken connection between DJ, Tyler and I that makes what DJ and I share so electric. It's like a live wire, a current of mutual attraction binding the three of us together. Part of me longs to reach out and grab that connection with both hands, to fully embrace the freedom and exhilaration it promises.

But another part wonders if I'm really ready, this soon after Paul, to dive headfirst into something so deliciously complicated.

Sighing, I nestle closer to DJ, resting my head on his chiseled chest. The steady thump of his heartbeat soothes my racing thoughts. I gaze up at his handsome face, his full lips curved in a slight smile as he sleeps.

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Maybe I should just enjoy this wild ride, no matter where it leads. For the first time in forever, I'm following my heart instead of my head. And right now, my heart wants DJ and Tyler.

Both of them.