Eastshore Tigers 01 - Strong Side by Alison Hendricks Read Free Book Online

guys in the locker room. But I guess being at his house is different. Maybe he thinks I’ll somehow be offended if he doesn't leave his own room and go into the bathroom to change. He's definitely wrong about that.
    "Go for it. I can turn around if you want. Cover my eyes," I tease.
    "Very funny."
    He pulls some fresh clothes out of his dresser, and I wonder if he'd feel the same way if he knew I was gay. I've had friends who didn't care, but for the most part, the guys I played with always seemed really uncomfortable getting undressed around me. Probably thought I would see one flash of skin and lose my fucking mind.
    But it doesn't work like that.
    Of course, as soon as Hawk strips off his shirt, I start to regret my decision. He has his back turned to me, and I have a full, indulgent view of his muscles as they flex and tense. He's not insanely built, but something ripples whenever he moves, drawing my attention in an unabashed stare. I want him to turn around so I can see his chest, but I don't want him to see me watching him. It's definitely a problem, and now I'm kicking myself for having some holier than thou attitude about not being immediately drawn to guys who take their clothes off.
    But I'm around half naked—and sometimes fully naked—guys almost every day in the locker room and the showers. It's just Hawk that makes me this way. Turns me into the kind of creep who stares lustfully at a guy who's only trying to help him.
    As he tugs down his jeans, I turn my head away. I doubt he'll strip beyond his underwear, but even that's too much temptation. Way too likely that he’ll catch me checking out his ass, and there's no way I can cover that up. Not much chance of hiding a boner if it happens, either.
    Oh, who am I kidding. When it happens.
    "If you aren’t tired yet, I can fire up the Xbox. I don't have a ton of games, but I've got the newest copy of Madden."
    A smile quirks my lips. Not that long ago, Hawk complained about the guys who hang around in the dorm rooms and play video games all day. Either he's a little jealous, or he just doesn't get home that often. Considering there's a light layer of dust on top of his console, I'm guessing it's the latter.
    "Yeah, that'd be cool."
    Hawk finishes changing, and I realize I've only really got my gym clothes in my bag. A few shower supplies, too, but not the stuff I'd need to stay the weekend. He’ll have to drop me by the hotel tomorrow morning. As I'm trying to decide whether I should change, Hawk sits on the edge of the bed and fires up the Xbox. He doesn't exactly invite me there, but there aren’t a lot of places to sit, so it's either there or the floor. Against my better judgment, I take a seat beside him, leaving enough space between us to still be cool. But my heart is racing the whole time, and I can practically feel the heat of his body beside me. My mind starts to conjure images of Hawk reaching over, sliding his hand over my thigh, giving me that look, and then pushing me back on the bed and having his way with me.
    Shit. This is not the way to avoid a boner.
    We play a couple games, and I try to keep it together. I suck at Madden under regular circumstances, but doubly so when I'm thinking of anything but the game. Every time it's Hawk's turn, I check out his profile as he concentrates on the screen. He has an adorable habit of licking his lips when he's deep in concentration, and it's killing me. Slowly but surely.
    He kicks my ass easily, and once the controllers are set aside, he gives me a strange look. His brow is furrowed, his lips are parted, and I can tell he wants to say something. Again my heart speeds, and I wonder if he's going to call me out from looking at him so much.
    "Derek, I gotta be straight with you, man."
    I really wish you wouldn't.
    "I know what happened to you in high school. I saw the video."
    I can practically feel the relief flood my body, but it's also mixed with a chaser of disappointment. I guess some part of me is