Out in Spring (Out in College 6)

I didn’t trust my voice, so I captured his wrist and laced my fingers with his. I kissed his knuckles, swallowing around the grapefruit-sized ball of emotion lodged in my throat. It was too soon to go Jane Austen on him and declare my undying affection, but damn, he overwhelmed me.

I fell for Logan a little harder every day. And every time I caught myself staring for too long or smiling too wide, I thought of life after graduation and the certain heartbreak heading my way. But knowing he felt the same gave me hope. We might be a long shot, but I wanted to think we had a chance.

6

Logan

Not to brag, but I thought I was doing a decent job at this new relationship thing. By unspoken agreement, we kept “us” on the DL. It seemed more important to Ned than me, but I didn’t argue when he insisted it was easier if everyone thought we were friends. He was probably right.

I wasn’t a campus celebrity, but my team received a ton of press in spite of not making it to the playoffs this season. Colby and Sky’s coming out created a bigger sensation than anyone had been prepared for. It didn’t make the front page, but the local press went crazy over the news, and they were featured on a number of major LGBTQ publications. Their sudden burst of fame shocked the hell out of them and slightly overshadowed the announcement that our star forward, Jason Schultz, had been drafted to the NHL.

No one really cared about a fifth-year senior who was destined to sit behind a desk after graduation, but the spotlight was shining brightly on our squad, and it probably would be until the spring farewell charity game in May. I didn’t want to subject Ned to any possible scrutiny. And honestly, I wasn’t sure I was ready to be under a microscope. Ned and I were new. I didn’t want anyone butting into our lives or weighing in on things we hadn’t figured out yet.

However, my close buddies knew about us. Like Colby and Troy. Colby was a no-brainer since he was newly out and in a committed relationship. And it would have been impossible to hide anything from Troy. Not only was he my best friend—he was my roommate too. No doubt he heard more than he let on.

Oh yeah, and then there was the Kendra connection. She still had a thing for Troy. It confused the hell out of the poor guy.

“I don’t get her,” he admitted, squinting at the TV in confusion. “She’s super cute and very smart, but she doesn’t really talk to me.”

“Bullshit. Kendra never stops talking,” I corrected around a mouthful of cornflakes.

“Not to me. She just spouts hockey trivia. And some of it is news to me.”

“Like what?”

Troy shifted on the sofa. “Let’s see.…Did you know the term ‘hockey’ was first used in 1773?”

“Nope.”

“See what I mean? How about this one?” He adjusted his voice to sound like a game show announcer before continuing. “Where was the first indoor hockey rink?”

I dropped my spoon in the bowl and tapped my chin thoughtfully. “Montreal.”

Troy smacked my bicep. “How’d you know that?”

I snickered. “Lucky guess.”

“Okay…who was the first player to wear the number ninety-nine?”

“Joe Lamb.”

Troy opened his mouth theatrically. “Fuck me. Now I feel like an idiot.”

“Don’t feel bad. But hey, I kinda thought everyone knew that one,” I teased.

“No, asshole. No one does. Except Kendra. And you. How do you know shit like that?”

“My dad loves trivia. We played a lot of Trivial Pursuit when I was growing up. I demanded more sports questions, so instead of buying a special edition, he’d look them up online. Usually hockey ones.” I flashed a shit-eating grin at him. “I know stuff.”

“Whatever. I looked it up when I got home and then I copied a bunch of trivia questions to ask her. Science ones.” Troy reached for his phone on the coffee table. “What part of a plant conducts photosynthesis?”

“The leaf.”

“I give up,” he groused.

“You should. And she’s not a scientist. She’s an econ major like Colby. Ask her math questions.”

“Fuck that! Then she’ll know I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot. You’re smart…ish.” I dodged another blow to the arm and waggled my brow. “Hey, I think it’s cute that you want to get to know her better…geek style. You like her.”

“She’s cool…but she’s confusing.” He propped his elbows on his knees and asked, “What’s Ned like?”

“Um…”

“What? Can’t I ask? You told Colb and me that you liked him. And he’s been over here a few times. In your room with the door closed, I might add. If those squeaky bed springs are any indication, I’m thinkin’ it’s going well.”

I rolled my eyes. “Mind your own business, Troy.”

“Relax. If you like him, I like him.”