“Fuck you,” I muttered, but they both ignored me.
Noah sighed as he thought about what to say. “Born and raised in Vegas; the city can keep you busy. My dad is huge on sports, so I played a little of everything until I picked the one I wanted. My little brother is not, in any way, a sports guy. But he comes and watches my games... well, he did when we were in the same place. He’s in Texas for school. Mom works in one of the bigger casinos, and Dad works a nine-to-five in an office Monday to Friday. She’s in hospitality, and he can tell you anything you need to know about air-conditioning units. That’s it.”
He said it like he was reading it off a card. Vegas, brother, parents, done. Enough to answer the question, not enough to invite the next one.
He looked over at me, his head tilted briefly, reading my read of him. “Oh, and I’m not gay. But no shade if you are.” He winked at me, and Dante laughed.
Diverting the conversation. A technique I used myself. Interesting.
“You asked him if he was gay?” he asked me.
“No, of course not,” I told him. “I asked him what histypewas.” Dante shook his head at me, his grin growing. “What? He doesn’t seem to like women,” I protested. “It’s a valid question.”
“You were very PC about it.” Noah laughed when I flicked him the finger. “Now that isnotvery PC.”
“Did I offend you when I asked?” I demanded, knowing I hadn’t.
“It takes a lot more than that to offend me.”
Dante snorted and stood up to get an ice pack for his shoulder. “He’sprobably offended you aren’t in love with him like all the girls on campus seem to be.”
“Oh, Isee.” Noah was grinning. “I mean, as men go, you look okay. Nice skin, well-kept beard, nice color of brown eyes, tight abs...” He shrugged. “If youweremy type, I’d do you.”
“You forgot my pert ass,” I said as I leaned to the side and raised my butt off the seat. “Girls love my glutes.”
Noah was nodding. “Of course, how could I forget, the ass is one of a kind.”
Dante was sniggering as he sat back down on the couch, his hoodie covering his mouth as he watched us. It was good to see him let loose.
“Laugh away, chuckles,” I teased him. “I saw you checking me out in the showers a few times.”
His head tipped back as he laughed loudly. “So you were checking me out, to know that I checked you out?”
Noah was laughing too. “Do you know how many times I get asked if you’re hung?” he said to him, causing us both to laughharder. “It’s a thing. Seriously.” He was looking between us, his eyes wide in earnest. “I transferred here, and the guys back at my old school are like, so what’s his flaws, is his dick tiny?”
I was leaning forward, holding on to my sides as I listened. “Theguysare asking?”
He nodded. “Guysandgirls. It’s not healthy how many people have asked me about your dick.”
Dante was shaking, he was laughing so hard, and Noah was lying back and relaxed as he told us.
“I fucking love that.” I wiped my eyes as I got myself together. “Shit, I needed to laugh that hard. That felt good.”
“It did,” Dante agreed. He was still a little breathless from laughing. “I hope you don’t lie,” he added with a chuckle.
“God, I hope you do.” I dodged the cushion Dante threw at me. “So no girl waiting at your old school?” I asked Noah, getting back on track. “Or back home?”
“No time,” he said honestly. “I train all the time. When I wasn’t training at home, I had schoolwork, or in the summer, I worked. And trained.”
“Yeah,” I nodded in commiseration. “How will Savvy cope once the season starts?” I asked Dante, because there was no way in this world those two weren’t lifers, not after all the shit of the last few weeks.
Dante looked far too pleased with himself. “She totally gets it. I think I’m going to be really lucky. She’ll get a taste of it when spring training starts soon, so we’ll see. I have a good feeling, though.”
“Yup.” Noah stretched as he stood. “She’s a good one, all right. Any more questions for me?” he asked us as he cleared the empty cartons. When we both said no, his gaze flicked to mine briefly. “Anyone else got anything they need to get off their chest?”
Shit.
Dante’s head was shaking. “Nope, all my baggage is now your baggage.” He looked guilty as hell.