Connor shot me a look like I was an idiot. “Two guys, one girl.”
Ryder laughed. “Nice man. Never done anything like that, but that’s cool.” He floated away from him.
“What do you mean you don’t hate it?” I was curious what a guy like Connor could get out of something like that.
He looked at me, then at Ryder. “Now I gotta be clear, I never done any fully bi shit, but there were times I let the other dude, like, put it in her with his hands. Or jerk me off a bit.” His tongue flicked out to lick his lips. “This one time, it was like a cuck thing, and she told him to suck me clean. Had to pretend to hate it, but I didn’t hate it.”
I’d never seen Ryder so scandalized. Nor had I ever been more interested in something Connor had said. “Is that a thing? Do guys do that?”
“It’s a thing for me. I’ve heard it called heteroflexible. And that pretty much describes me. I don’t get grossed out by dudes, but not turned on by them, either. Hook up with one alone, or do shittohim? No way, not my thing. But with a fine ass female there, getting off to it?” He bit his bottom lip and squeezed his eyes shut. “Fuckyeah.”
Ryder looked about ready to take my place at the bottom of the pool. I said, “I think I’m like that too.”
“No shit?!” Connor splashed backward. “For real!? You ever done anything like that? Always thought you were a prude.”
“No, uh… no, I haven’t.” The impact of what I just said hit me in slow motion, and I was afraid I might black out and drown. “Just the way you described it makes sense, is all.”
“No fucking shit.” Connor slapped my back. “Okay. Okay. I see you, bro. The next time I need a third, I’ll keep you in mind.” He must have seen my face and laughed, slapping my back again. “No worries, dude. I’m not gonna tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks, man. Don’t think it’s a secret, just like…” I was running out of steam and hoping the building next to us would collapse on our heads. I hadn’t looked at Ryder and refused to.
“No, I get it. You’re not grossed out by dudes but not into them. Right there with you, man. Seriously. And if you meet a lady, or I do, and she’s down, and you’re down, or shit, you too, Ry, let me know. For real. Last night, best night.”
“Uh-huh,” I said, ready to meet my maker.
Ryder saved me. “Count me out. Not my thing, but thanks for thinking of me.”
“No worries at all.” His arms spread wide. “We all got our quirks. Shit, I like my balls stepped on…” Connor’s face fell as a moment of sobriety broke through. “Appreciate it if you keep this between us. Miles already gives me enough shit.”
“Our lips are sealed,” Ryder said with wide eyes and a growing smirk.
“Thanks, man,” Connor said, as whatever bit of his rational brain took back more control. “Gonna take a piss and check on the groom. Need anything?”
“No, I’m good. Thanks,” Ryder said.
Once Connor swam away, Ryder turned to me, his brow so high it was at his hairline, eyes wide, and lips pursed into a whistle. “Holy fucking shit. What the fuck was that?”
“I… I have…” I said before being overtaken by giggles. “Hooooly shit.” My giggles turned into hysterics.
Ryder laughed with me. “I think we just witnessed the innermost part of Connor’s mind, then watched it implode,” Ryder said, a deep belly laugh building. “I one hundred percent thought he was hitting on me at first, and yeah, he’s hot as fuck, but noooo thank you.”
I laughed so hard my beer got waterlogged. “Jesus Christ. He’s always been wild, but goddamn.”
“I should warn Jason about it being the last night, best night.”
“Maybe tell him to get another room.”
The laughter died down, and we stared at each other, bobbing up and down in the water. With Connor’s absurdity fading, what I had said hung between us.
“I… uh…” I started and stopped. “About what I said…”
Ryder smiled at me like everything in the world would be okay. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, or anyone, Finn. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll listen. If you’re never ready, that’s cool, too. You don’t owe me, or anyone else, anything, and never will.”
My chest felt warm, and my stomach was tight. “Thanks, Ry.”
Chapter Nine
Finn
