Page 29 of The Forever Vault

"It's probably inappropriate or something, but I figured you're with one of my teammates, so if you wouldn't mind-“ Miles said, digging in his pocket and holding out a Sharpie to Zeph, “-signing my jersey."

I saw Zeph's eyes go wide for a second as the recognition dawned on him. Sitting next to Miles, he didn't have the view of the shirt I did.

"Of course! Where do you want me to sign?"

"Here, please." Miles pointed to his chest, over his heart.

The joyful expression on Miles' face was enough to make me smile. Zeph didn't need to but since he was a shameless flirt, he braced his left hand on Miles' pec as he signed, no doubt trying to get a feel of one of the rings.

Miles didn't seem to notice or care. "I've been a fan ever since you came out. It really, uh… helped me with my own stuff."

"I'm glad to hear it." Zeph handed back the Sharpie and his hand migrated up to Miles' shoulder.

"Down, boy," Colton warned. "You know the rules. No teammates."

Miles didn't seem to hear Colton. He was too enamored with the autograph.

"Can I get a photo with you, too?" Miles looked back to Zeph.

"Sure thing, chicken wing."

"Ch-chicken wing?"

"Ignore him," Colton snarled.

I took Miles' phone from his hand and I lined up the shot. "Say cheese!"

Zeph's huge arm made it all the way around Miles and then some. Sitting down, one couldn’t see the exact height difference, but it was noticeable. After all, Zeph was over a foot taller than Miles. For the photo, Miles fit snugly into Zeph's armpit.

"You gotta boyfriend?" Colton asked.

I handed Miles his phone back.

Miles hesitated. "No."

"Shame," Zeph replied. "Ouch!"

I knew Colton had kicked him under the table.

"Okay, okay. I'm done." Zeph held his hands up in surrender. "I'm only human."

"So, you guys are open?" Miles asked. He seemed to realize what he said, because he stumblingly added, "I-I'm n-not interested. I was just making conversation." He ran his fingers through his hair and scratched his neck.

Our food came, but I ended up eating left-handed so Luke and I could hold hands a little longer. Not that we stayed that way the entire dinner - sometimes it was easier to use a napkin with both hands - but our fingers always found each other again.

“Yeah, we’re open,” Colton answered.

“But we have rules,” Zeph added.

“What kind of rules?” Ezra asked, between bites.

“The big one is that we play together,” Colton said. “That’s the only one that really matters. Well, that, and we play safe. Most of the time.”

“Cool.”

Miles echoed Ezra’s appreciation. “Thanks for being so open about it. I don’t have much experience, so I was curious.”

“No problem.” Zeph rifled his hand through Miles’ hair and I had to pat Colton’s leg to calm him down. I had a feeling Colton was going to give it to Zeph later. It wouldn’t be hate sex, but angry sex was probably close enough.