Tamed (The Courtside King 1)

Jay scowled. “I never ask him about sex. I used to but… the poor guy gets all awkward. It’s not like with you two whore bags. Especially you, Ned. We can barely get your ass to shut up.”

Ned grinned proudly. “My conquests are many…” He paused and looked at Breck. “Which reminds me. What’s your total this month? Bet I got you beat.”

“So many, I forgot to count,” Breck drawled, ever amused by his best friend’s competitiveness. How they ended up in a boning competition, he had no fucking clue. But to Ned’s credit, he definitely had his share of devotees. Which Breck supposed shouldn’t be a surprise. Ned had the looks of an Adonis and, like Breck, kicked serious ass as an athlete. Breck would never have guessed, but evidently, parkour had an impressively large female fanbase.

“Bullshit,” Ned laughed. “You know. Spit it out, kingpin. How many?”

Breck sighed at the ridiculousness of this contest. “Um… Let’s see…”

He started counting on his fingers. Every weekend, they sought him out. After games, too. College hotties of every sort. Believe it or not, he graciously passed on most of them. Only the exceptionally gorgeous made the cut.

He dropped his hand. “Seven. Give or take.”

“Damn it.” Ned cursed. “So fucking close.”

Marcie shook her head. “You two are awful. What happened to saving it for someone special? Sex should mean something. Should hold value.” She turned and looked at Jay. “Don’t you think?”

“Yes. Yes, I do.” He nodded. “They degrade their little dicks. Although, now that you mention it,” he grinned and tugged her close, “I am feeling special right now. Let’s go make it mean something in Ned’s room.”

Marcie laughed and shoved him away, then tugged him right back and kissed him.

“I heard that.” Ned pinned them with a look. “FYI, I’ve yet to change my sheets since Gina had her wicked way with me last night.”

Marcie grimaced against Jay’s mouth. “Ew.”

Jay growled, unperturbed.

Breck chuckled and shook his head, then turned back to Ned. “So, Gina, huh? What was she? Number six?”

Ned grumbled, “Five.”

“Eh. You still have a few days left to catch up. Just make sure you carve out time for my games tomorrow and Saturday.”

“Don’t forget Friday,” Marcie chimed in. “Breck’s birthday party, remember?” She wiggled excitedly. “Club hopping. This girl’s ready to dance.”

“Oooh, that’s right.” Jay perked up, grinning. “We’re gonna get you so wasted, Breck. Who’s designated driver—Not it!”

“Not it!” Marcie chirped.

Breck chuckled and looked over at Ned. “Tad drove us last time.”

Ned scowled. “Motherfucker.” He whacked the puck toward Breck’s goal. “Fine. While you’re all inebriated and slurring, I’ll be scoring me a bushel of bunnies.”

Breck grinned, blocking the puck, and shook his head. Because Ned would score. Their pretty boy was just too attractive to leave empty-handed. Although, Breck would probably score his fair share, too. It’d be his birthday, after all. And what kind of birthday would it be without a present to unwrap?

Abruptly, his thoughts reverted back to Kai.

He honestly still couldn’t believe he’d seen him earlier. Just like always, Kai had gripped his full attention. Breck’s stomach clenched. God, he’d looked incredible. But then he’d opened his mouth and sent Breck scrambling into defense mode. Kai knew his reason for dropping his class had been a lie. Breck had seen it in his eyes. And yet, to his surprise, Kai had let it go.

Had taken the high road.

Which Breck had been grateful for. Truth be told, he’d been bracing for Kai to mention their situation. A Freudian slip of sorts to get Breck back for dumping his class.

Because Kai was pissed about that. Breck had heard it in his tone. He felt slighted by his cut-and-run. Yeah, well, too fucking bad. Maybe he should’ve gone easier on Breck’s ass from time to time.

He exhaled, volleying that air puck back and forth. In fairness, Kai wasn’t as big of a dick as he liked to make him out. He just rode him hard because he wanted him to be his best. Deep down, Breck knew that. Knew Kai’s intentions weren’t inherently bad.

Thing was, he already got enough of that shit from his coaches. And don’t get him started on his fucking dad. He hadn’t wanted that crap from Kai, too. He’d wanted their dynamic to be different. Potentially with Kai being the guy who drilled him in the good kind of way.

Yeah, he’d love for Kai to venerate him, to give him the praise that he deserved, that he’d earned. But even more so than any of that, he’d wanted Kai to want him. The first same-sex prospect Breck would’ve actually made the effort for.

But he’d never had the opportunity. Not with the way Kai had treated him in class. Master to student. Superior to underling. It’d been impossible. Breck’s hard-earned pride just hadn’t allowed it. Not with a man who constantly ordered him around, or ran him through the wringer while all his peers looked on. It’d been enough to keep Breck simmering with constant resentment.