The Dangerous Game
I open my eyes slowly, the remnants of last night’s dream, a blurry mix of trending TikTok songs, our moans, and tangled limbs, fading as the morning light filters through Hayden’s dorm room window.
My first thought is: Where am I?
It’s not the disorientation of not waking up in my bed or the aftermath of post-coital bliss. It’s something deeper, a shift in reality. I’m in Hayden’s bed, my body nestled against his, his arm draped possessively across my hairy chest. The warmth of his skin against mine sends a jolt of awareness through me, and suddenly, the memories of the night before rush back in a tidal wave of emotion.
The stolen kisses, the tentative explorations, the shared vulnerability, and the raw, unbridled passion Hayden unleashed upon me.
I shift slightly, trying to disentangle myself from Hayden without waking him. I need a moment to process what happened, to reconcile the 18-year-old I fantasized about in an app with the man now sleeping peacefully.
As I swing my legs over the side of the bed, a wave of soreness washes over me. It's a pleasant ache, a reminder of our intense physical connection. I glance down at my body, the faint marks and bruises a testament to Hayden’s eagerness and the unfamiliarity of his actions.
A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. Hayden, the social media star and all-American athlete, had been patient and attentive last night, constantly checking to ensure I was comfortable and enjoying myself. He was clear-headed and respectful, his actions driven by genuine desire rather than intoxication.
The thought warms me from the inside out. As I get up, I glance at my phone on his desk, and once again, it’s blown up with notifications from Alex. For 7 AM on a Wednesday, he’s already been on the case and figured it all out:
Joey, what the actual fuck. u never went home last night. Baker Hall?
Hayden’s TikTok and his Panda dunks. R u nuts? You said yourself he has a gf, ur gonna get hurt.
DAMMIT. I think to myself, I never thought to turn off my location on Snap last night after arriving at Hayden’s dorm. Not that it would have mattered if Alex saw the TikTok too. Hayden and I have just given Alex all the digital breadcrumbs he needed. I trust Alex enough to know he won’t tell anyone, but I can’t even fathom how he might hang this over my head.
Resisting the urge to pick up my phone and throw it out Hayden’s window for revealing where I spent the night, I try to formulate my response. This is delicate. Alex skipped inquiring about all the juicy details and focused on the one thing that slipped my mind as soon as Hayden and I kissed again: Ava.
I turn back around to see Hayden stirring in bed. He’s still naked, the blue Nike running shorts under his legs, and the towel kicked away to the bottom of the bed. Telling Hayden about Alex would only upset him, but Alex has a point. I don’t want to get further into this with Hayden if he’s just using me before he gets back with Ava when he returns to South Carolina for Thanksgiving.
Sitting back on Hayden’s bed, I rub his bare feet and ankles. He opens his eyes, not too surprised to see me still in his dorm.
Hayden clears his throat. “Morning, Joey. Glad you’re still here.”
“Where else would I go?” I grin and take a more serious tone. “But now, what are you gonna tell Ava?”
Hayden stretches, his muscles rippling beneath his smooth skin. He looks at me, a glint of uncertainty crossing his features. "I, uh… I don't know yet," he admits, running a hand through his ruffled bed hair. "It's not like I can tell her the truth."
"Yeah, probably not the best idea to tell her you got a guy off for the first time and then fucked another one all in the same week," I chuckle dryly.
Hayden's smile falters, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I just... I need some time to think, you know?" he sighs. "This is all new to me, and I don't want to hurt her. It also might be a good idea for us to lay low for a couple of days, maybe until the weekend. We can still talk, Joey, but I don’t want my other friends to question why I’m suddenly spending so much time with someone I just met. You get what I mean?”
"I get it," I reply, trying to sound understanding, despite the disappointment gnawing at me. It's not that I expect us to be joined at the hip, but the thought of Hayden deliberately keeping his distance, even for a few days, stings a little. Part of me understands his need for space, but the other part just wants to hold onto this feeling, this connection we've found, for as long as I can.
"It's not that I don't want to be seen with you," Hayden adds quickly as if reading my thoughts. "It's just… everything feels so fragile right now, and I don't want to make things worse by rushing into anything. Plus, I need to have a serious talk with Ava. I owe her that much, at least."
His words are reasonable and mature, making me respect him even more. This isn't some carefree fling for him. He's genuinely conflicted, torn between his long-held feelings for Ava and the unexpected attraction he's discovered with me. As much as I want to be selfish and demand more of his time and attention, I know that pushing him will only drive him away. There’s also the added detail that Alex knows about us now.
"I understand, Hayden," I say softly, offering him a reassuring smile. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."
He returns the smile, a hint of relief passing through his eyes. "Thanks, Joey. That means a lot." He reaches for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine, and the warmth of his touch chases away the chill of uncertainty that had begun to creep in.
I get up from his bed and start putting my shirt back on. “I need to get home to shower before my class at 9:30. We can at least still talk tonight, right?”
“Yeah, of course, Joey,” Hayden says as he kicks the Nike shorts out from under him.
“Uhmmmm.” I beam, still admiring his still-naked body before me. “You think I can take those shorts home with me? Just as a reminder till we see each other again?”
Hayden laughs, shaking his head at my boldness. "You're something else, Joey," he says, a trace of amusement in his voice. "But sure, you can borrow them. Just don't go posting any thirst traps on TikTok with them, okay?"
I snicker, feeling a surge of affection for him. "Don't worry, Speedstar," I tease, again using the nickname Ava mentioned during their FaceTime call. "My TikTok game is nowhere near as strong as yours."
He smiles as I slip his shorts on and pull my jeans over them; for a few moments, the weight of the situation seems to lift. We're just two college guys, joking and flirting, enjoying each other's company. But as I lean in for a goodbye kiss, the reality of his relationship with Ava crashes back down on us.
The kiss is bittersweet, a mix of longing and uncertainty. When we finally break apart, I know that I need to tread carefully. Hayden needs time to sort out his feelings, and I need to respect that. But I can't deny the hope that burns within me—the hope that maybe, just maybe, this is the start of something real that could change our lives forever.
As I exit Baker Hall, the urgency of the situation with Alex hits too, I don’t want to lose him as a friend by him thinking I’m ignoring him, so I call him, knowing he’s awake already.
"Joey, are you trippin' right now?" Alex's voice crackles through the phone after 2 rings, a combination of bemusement and disbelief. "You're just going to act like you didn't ghost me last night and then proceed to blow up the internet?"
"What are you talking about?" I feign ignorance, even though my stomach is already churning with guilt.
"Don't play dumb, Joey. I saw the TikTok with the Panda Dunks. I put two and two together."
I sigh, knowing there's no point in denying it any longer. "Okay, fine. You caught me. But it's not what you think."
"Oh?" Alex's voice drips with mockery. "Then enlighten me, Mr. Lucky. What exactly is going on between you and Hayden Latimer?"
“Can we just talk about this in person? You’re right. He has a girlfriend.”
“Fine,” Alex grumbles. “I just got dressed. C4C hall, breakfast. 10 minutes.”
I quickly walk between the dorms to the Center for Community Building and the largest dining facility on campus. It’s right across from Alex’s dorm at Kettridge, but I haven’t eaten breakfast here since Freshman year. I order a custom omelet, grab some orange juice, and join Alex at an out-of-the-way table where I hope no one can overhear us.
“I can’t believe you, Joey.” Alex opens before I pick up my fork. “This isn't some random hookup. This is Hayden freakin' Latimer, CU's golden boy. What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't," I admit, feeling the wave of remorse flood back. Alex's words hit harder than I expected. He knows my tendency to overthink and overanalyze. And he's right – this isn't just some casual fling. This is a tangled web of emotions and desires, a situation with the potential to blow up my life in ways I hadn't even considered.
"Look, I know it's messy, okay?" I say, my voice laced with frustration. "But it's not just physical between us. There's… there's something real there, Alex. I can feel it."
"For real, bro?" Alex scoffs. "Joey, he's got a girlfriend! From what I've heard, it's a long-term relationship. You're playing with fire, man. And for what? A few stolen moments with a guy who's probably just going through a phase?"
"It's not a phase," I snap back. "He’s confused. About who he is and what he wants. And I... I get it. I've been there."
We fall into an uncomfortable silence, the weight of my confession hanging heavy in the air. I can practically hear Alex's mind whirring, trying to process the situation, to reconcile the Joey he knows—the level-headed, cautious Joey—with the one who's willingly getting involved with a college Freshman still in the closet.
"Okay," Alex says finally, his voice serious now. "I get it. You’re infatuated with him. But promise me you'll be careful, Joey. Don't let this guy take advantage of you. Don't let him break your heart. I don’t care who he thinks he is.”
"I promise," I sigh. “But can you keep what you know to yourself?”
Alex hesitates, his brow furrowed in thought. "You know I love gossip, Joey, but not when it hurts you." he pauses and looks directly at me. "It's Hayden Latimer, though. People talk. And if this gets out, it could explode in your faces."
He's right again. Hayden's life is lived under a microscope. Every move he makes, every post he shares, is scrutinized by thousands of followers, especially in the watchful eyes of the CU community. And if word got out that he'd hooked up with a guy, especially while still in a relationship with Ava, the fallout could be catastrophic.
"I know," I say, my voice laced with worry. "But I trust you, Alex. You're my best friend. Please, just promise me you'll keep this between us. At least for now."
"Fine, Joey," Alex says, his voice firm but reassuring. "I promise. Your secret's safe with me. But you need to be smart about this. Lay low. Don't give people any reason to talk. And for God's sake, be careful with your phone. You left your location shared on Snap last night, you idiot."
“Stalker!” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood, and finally dig into my omelet. “How often do you look?”
“I only looked because you were ghosting me last night after I sent you one of stanchris’ reels. Then I open TikTok and bam! There’s Hayden and you dancing in front of his dunks on the floor.”
“I should have known better than to think you’d miss anything,” I say with a heavy sigh.
“How could I not? I had to be on my toes since you started acting weird on the weekend. You know you can’t keep anything from me, Joey!”
I roll my eyes and finish my OJ, but my phone dings. It’s Ethan.
Joey, your car is still at the rec, are you ok?
Yeah, I’m good, I spent the night on campus. I’m coming over to grab it now. I type back.
“Okay,” I look up at Alex. “Are we doing game night again tonight or Saturday? I have a paper due tomorrow, plus I have to shower and move my car before class.”
“Weekend,” Alex quips. “We tried to play Splendor on Monday without you, and it wasn’t the same.”
I get up and stretch before saying goodbye, but Alex notices my exposed midriff as my arms go up.
“Bright blue boxers, Joey. I thought you wore boxer briefs?” He taunts me.
I quickly pull my hoody back down before Alex realizes they’re Hayden’s shorts. “Well, I’m in crunch mode until tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll have more questions about Hayden before the week is over.”
As the week passes, life gradually returns to its usual rhythm. On Wednesday evening, I dedicate time to completing my paper, ensuring it's polished and submitted well before the 11:59 PM deadline on Thursday. Hayden keeps me updated on his situation with Ava. He told her he needed space, emphasizing that it wasn't her fault. He said they spent two hours on FaceTime that night, navigating a deeply emotional conversation. In the end, Ava was understanding, though the exchange was undoubtedly challenging for both.
After my shifts on Thursday and Friday, I find messages from Hayden waiting for me. His words are consistently thoughtful, urging me to get home safely and sharing that he's thinking about me. These messages, though brief, offer a comforting reminder of his presence and our growing connection.
Looking forward to board game night on Saturday after my weekend chores, I sit on the couch in my apartment to watch the Buffs vs UCF football game. Just as I switch the channel to Fox and turn the volume up, my phone buzzes to life, it’s Hayden.
Joey, can we hang out today? I want to see you!
My heart rate spikes at his eagerness, and I quickly type back. Well, tonight is board game night. I'll ask if you can join. We were planning to start after the Buffs game.
A moment later, his response appears: 👍
I can’t resist smiling, the anticipation bubbling within me. The thought of spending more time with Hayden, especially in the relaxed setting of our game night, fills me with a warmth I hadn't realized I'd been missing. But now I have to tell Alex I’m inviting Hayden, and I can already imagine what his immediate response will be.
I dunno how to say this bro, but can Hayden join us tonight? I message Alex, and he instantly calls me back.
“Dude, are you serious?” Alex’s voice booms through the phone. “You want to bring Mr. TikTok and his drama into our chill game night? What happened to lay low?”
“I know, I know,” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “But he texted me, said he wanted to see me, and it just felt… right to invite him tonight.”
“Right? Joey, the guy is playing you like a fiddle. He’s got a girlfriend, remember?”
“He talked to Ava. They’re… figuring things out,” I explain, hoping Alex will understand. There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line.
“Fine,” Alex concedes, but his tone is laced with skepticism. “But I'm calling him out if he starts pulling his influencer crap.”
“Deal,” I reply, feeling a wave of relief. “Thanks, Alex. You’re the best.”
After the Buffs win, I meet Hayden outside Alex’s dorm at West Kettridge. He’s dressed in a plaid overcoat and jeans, but isn’t alone—Brendan is also here.
“Joey!” Hayden calls out when he sees me. “You’ve heard of Brendan, right? He already had basketball practice this morning, so I thought I could bring him too.”
“Uh yeah,” I nod slightly and look Brendan over. I started to follow Brendan before Hayden, but Brendan focused his content on basketball, playing guard for the Buffs. He’s the same height as me, with messy brown hair and a somewhat more muscular build than Hayden. With basketball practice over, he’s sporting a gray Gym Shark sweatshirt and khaki pants. There’s some tension, I admit, with him being here too, but Hayden hasn’t mentioned him since that night at my apartment.
“Glad to meet you, Joey.” Brendan holds out his fist, and I give him a bump back.
Alex sees us all standing by the door and lets us inside. "Hey guys, didn’t know you had a plus one, Hayden," Alex says flatly as he opens the door, his eyes lingering on Hayden for a beat too long before he steps aside to let us in. Alex leads the way down the hall toward the main lounge, his expression indecipherable until we see Aisha setting up a game of Carcassone between the large couches.
“Hayden,” I say as we are all in the lounge. “These are my friends, Alex and his girlfriend, Aisha. Alex and Aisha, you probably have heard of Hayden and Brendan. If not on for being on the Buffs, then on TikTok.”
“Oh, of course I have!” Aisha says, practically gushing, “When Alex said Joey was bringing you, I didn’t believe him.”
“Aisha, thanks for inviting us.” Hayden looks at Aisha as he surveys the room. His easy smile earns him a warm welcome, and Aisha appears genuinely pleased. “That name sounds very familiar, but I’m certain we haven’t met until now.”
“You’ve probably read about her in the CUIndependent,” Alex interjects. “Aisha is Vice-President of the Muslim Student Association and is the spokesperson for Buffs for Palestine.”
“That’s probably it then,” Hayden grins as we sit around the large upholstered stool Aisha put the game box down on.
“Do you guys know how to play Carc?” Alex glances up at Hayden and Brendan.
“Uh no,” Hayden looks at Brendan, who shakes his head.
“Aisha can go over the rules.” Alex stands back up. “I was going to Uber Eats some Bánh Mì for dinner. Do you guys have any preferences? I’m already getting veggie for Aisha.”
“Chicken if possible.” Brendan pipes back.
The game begins after Aisha goes over the rules, and it’s as chaotic as ever. Aisha, true to form, claims her monasteries, while Alex gleefully sabotages anyone who dares to claim a road near him. Hayden plays a measured game, his attention split between the tiles and his phone, where he occasionally checks notifications. Brendan provides a steady stream of one-liners, keeping the mood light.
It’s during a lull in the game that Hayden turns to Aisha, a spark of excitement lighting his face. “Hey, Aisha, have you ever considered doing a TikTok?”
She looks up from the tiles, intrigued. “Not really. Why?”
“You’ve got the vibe for it,” Hayden says. “And this setup is perfect—board games, snacks, good people. We could do something quick and fun.”
Aisha blushes slightly but nods. “Sure, why not?”
Alex, on the other hand, stiffens. “What, are we turning this into a content house now?” he says, his tone sharp.
“It’ll just take a minute,” Hayden assures him, already pulling out his phone. “You can even be in it if you want.”
Alex snorts. “Pass. I’ll leave the thirst trapping to you.”
The comment lands awkwardly, but Hayden brushes it off with a laugh. He and Aisha move to the corner of the room, where he starts explaining the choreography of the classic ‘Renegade’ dance to Lottery by K Camp. Alex watches them with narrowed eyes, his jaw tight.
“You okay?” I ask quietly, leaning toward him.
“Fine,” Alex says, a little too quickly. “Just didn’t realize this was a networking event.” He shakes his head, then feels at a buzz in his pocket. “Foods here, I’ll go get it. Just don’t let them get carried away.”
I glance back at Hayden and Aisha, who are now laughing as they fumble through a take. Brendan giggles at them from the sidelines, his cute grin, wide as ever. The knot in my chest tightens as I wonder how much of this is Hayden being Hayden and how much of it is for me to figure out.
When he returns, Alex pulls out my sandwich from the bag. “Thit Nuong, BBQ Pork for you. Veggie for Aisha, Grilled Chicken for the Point Guard, and meatball for Mr. Golden Boy.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call him that,” I grumble.
“Oh, c’mon. He probably loves it!” Alex chuckles, starting to dig into his sandwich.
Aisha, Hayden, and Brendan return to their seats, but Hayden pulls out his wallet before he starts eating. “How much do we owe you, Alex? Sorry, I should have just given you my card to pay.”
“No, no.” Aisha gestures, waving her hand. “Our treat. I can’t even remember the last time we had a full five players for Carc.”
“Please, you shouldn’t have to treat me.” Hayden slips a $20 bill from his wallet and places it into the board game box.
Alex’s face goes red, and he rises from the couch. “She said no! Your money’s no good here!”
The outburst surprises everyone, and the other people in the lounge turn to look at us. My face glows red with embarrassment from Alex’s reaction. He’s always been sensitive about money, especially when he feels like someone is flaunting it, but I've never seen him so worked up over something like this before. Hayden looks taken aback, his easy smile disappearing as he stares at Alex with confusion and surprise. Brendan seems equally astounded, his eyebrows raised as he glances back and forth between Alex and Hayden.
Aisha tries to smooth things over, placing a hand on Alex's arm. "Babe, it's fine. Hayden was just being a gentleman," she says cautiously. "We wanted to treat you guys. Any friends of Joey are welcome here."
Alex shakes his head, his jaw still tight. “No, it’s on us,” he says, his voice clipped. “Just…let's just eat, ok?” He sits back on the couch, grabs his sandwich, and takes a large bite, clearly trying to diffuse the tension he created.
Again trying to lighten the mood, Aisha looks back up at Hayden as she sips a can of Coke. “So everyone knows all about your track team, Hayden, but what else is there to know about you? Like, what’s your major, why’d you come to Colorado, and how did you meet Joey?”
“Well, I’m hoping to major in Biochem,” Hayden says, his tone now more relaxed as he addresses Aisha directly. “I came to CU mostly for the track team, but after that, I want to get into Dental School. Colorado is completely different from South Carolina, though; there’s so much to do!” He pauses, glancing at me briefly, and I feel my cheeks warm. “And I met Joey when I went to the REC to rent some camping gear.”
Brendan chuckles, “Yeah, he won’t shut up about all these places he wants to go after that trip!” He playfully nudges Hayden, who laughs, a genuine sound that helps ease some of the lingering awkwardness.
“How about you guys? Hayden asks Aisha as he finishes his sandwich.
“I’m doing my undergrad in International Affairs, and Alex is in Communications. We’re both planning to go into Law School together. I grew up in Aurora and him in Lakewood, but Joey met us in freshman year here at CU.” Aisha smiles warmly, glancing between Alex and me. “It’s funny, Alex and Joey were almost inseparable back then.”
Hayden, intrigued by this, looks at me. “Oh yeah? How’d you guys become so close?”
Alex, trying to deflect the attention, jokes, "Oh, you know, the usual freshman dorm shenanigans." He hits me on the leg with his fist subtly in what I assume is an attempt to keep my silence about our previous sexual engagements.
Aisha raises her eyebrows, a playful smirk playing on her lips. “Yeah, ‘shenanigans’ is one word for it,” she says, her tone suggesting there's more to the story. She then turns to Brendan, who is still eating. “How about you? There must be more to the face of CU Basketball!”
Brendan swallows his last bite and clears his throat. “Well, you probably already know I grew up in Maryland. Basketball was pretty much life in high school. I’m planning on doing a BA in Accounting or Business. Hayden and I bonded instantly because we’re both big on TikTok and from out of state.”
“Oh, I guess you and Hayden are on the same team in more ways than one!” Alex snarks, not knowing about the history between Hayden and Brendan during their camping trip.
With everyone done eating, we resume our game with the usual playful banter as before. Aisha, with her usual strategic brilliance, ends up winning, her monasteries and blue meeples sprawling across the table.
As we all get up to leave, Aisha makes sure to follow Hayden, Brendan, and me to the door while Alex puts away his game. An earnest look settles on her face as she begins to speak, "Hey, guys, I'm sorry about Alex snapping at dinner, you Hayden," she says, her voice full of genuine concern. "He just wanted to be a good host.”
“We had a great time; don’t worry about it, Aish.” I smile at her, but she brings me in for a hug.
“Yeah, we had fun. Thanks for inviting me and hosting us, Aisha. It was awesome meeting you, and look, we’re already at 10k views!” Hayden holds up his phone with the video he posted an hour ago.
The three of us walk away from Kettridge after we all say our goodbyes to Aisha, but Hayden looks at me when we get to the sidewalk. “So, Joey, what now? It’s not even 9 o’clock!”
“I dunno,” I shrug and stop. “What else were you guys planning on doing tonight?”
“Well, we could head over to Brendan’s dorm in Libby. I was also thinking that maybe next month, the three of us could plan another weekend camping trip, you know, just us boys?” Hayden gives me an anxious look, and I glance at Brendan. I feel some trepidation as I consider Hayden’s suggestion of going to Brendan's dorm. Spending more of the night with Hayden is tempting, but I'm cautious about the dynamic with Brendan. There’s the unresolved issue of Ava that Hayden still needs to figure out, and I'm still uncertain about how he sees me now, beyond our physical encounters alone.
I try to keep my tone measured as I reply, "I guess we could do that, but I have SAR training with my mountain rescue group I volunteer with in the morning, so I don't want to stay out too late."
Hayden nods, his gaze shifting briefly towards Brendan. “Yeah, that’s cool. We can just watch Netflix or something.” Brendan nods in agreement, his expression muted as he looks back at me, his eyes lingering for a second.
My mind races, trying to figure out what’s going on here. Is Hayden trying to test the waters to see if I'm okay with his friendship with Brendan, or is he attempting to quietly initiate a three-way dynamic? I know I should be direct, but I also don’t want to scare Hayden away by bringing it up so soon.
“Well, I could also just head back home,” I add, trying to gauge their reactions. “I still need to prep my gear for tomorrow.”
Hayden immediately looks back at me, his eyes now full of concern. “No, c’mon, Joey, why don’t you come with us? We didn’t see each other much this week, and I want to hang out more with you. You can do that before you leave, right?”
“Yeah, I guess I could.” I look back at Brendan, who is silent, but his eyes are locked on mine. The thought of Hayden being so eager to see me is enough to sway me, and I find myself nodding in agreement. “Okay, sure. Let’s go to Libby.”
As we walk through campus to Libby Hall, Hayden slips his arm around my shoulder, a casual gesture that sends a shudder sweeping over me. It’s impossible not to notice that he doesn't make the same physical contact with Brendan, and the realization makes my heart skip a beat. I try to stay calm as we pass other people who recognize and acknowledge Hayden while considering the implications of this new development. Maybe I'm reading too much into things, but I can't shake the feeling that Hayden is drawn to me, even with all the complications it brings for him. It's a chaotic mess, but a mess that I’m starting to enjoy.
When we get to Brendan’s dorm room, it’s much smaller than Hayden's room and somewhat messier. It’s clear from the decorations that basketball is Brendan’s whole life. Posters of Steph Curry and magazine cutouts from Sports Illustrated fill the wall space, and a toy basketball hoop hangs over his door. His bed is unmade, and clothes, including his white and black Buffs Nike practice uniform, are piled on his desk chair. While Hayden's room has a sense of curated calm, Brendan's room feels more lived-in and, well, like a typical straight college guy’s dorm room.
“What do you wanna watch?” Brendan flips his laptop open and clears the chair by dumping the pile of clothes onto the end of the bed, then he starts scrolling through Netflix as Hayden and I take off our shoes.
“I dunno, you choose this time.” Hayden crawls onto Brendan’s bed, getting comfortable by taking the pillow and leaning it against the wall. He throws a second pillow beside it and looks at me to join him.
“How about this basketball movie? Rez Ball?” Brendan asks without looking back while I climb onto the bed next to Hayden.
“Sure, go for it,” Hayden says as he removes his plaid jacket and pulls Brendan’s duvet over us.
“Cool, cool.” Brendan starts the movie and dashes back to the door to turn off the lights, then settles back on his chair facing the screen.
As the movie begins, the light from Brendan's laptop screen dimly illuminates the room. The opening scenes showcase the vibrant culture and intense passion for basketball within the Navajo Nation. Brendan, clearly engrossed, leans forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Hayden, however, appears less engaged with the film. Under the duvet, his hand seeks out mine, our fingers intertwining in a subtle yet intimate gesture. The warmth of his touch sends a gentle shiver through me, and I can't help but turn toward him. Our eyes meet briefly, a soft smile playing on his lips before he returns his gaze to the screen.
Brendan, noticing our silence, attempts to engage Hayden. "Man, can you imagine playing basketball outside in the desert?"
"Yeah, that looks incredible," Hayden responds briskly, his focus not on the movie, as he shifts slightly closer to me, our shoulders now pressing together.
With Brendan’s attention fully diverted toward the movie, Hayden lets my hand go and slips his hand inside my boxer briefs, pulling the elastic waistband away from my body, and inching toward my hardening cock. As Hayden's hand continues to explore my thighs and lower body, I begin to feel a mix of excitement and caution. I'm not sure if I should be encouraging this or pulling back. But before I can make a decision, Hayden's grip tightens around my cock, and he begins to stroke me through the spandex fabric of my boxer briefs.
I try to stifle a gasp as his touch lights a spark within me, and I pulsate into his grip. Brendan is still encapsulated by the movie, oblivious to what's happening behind him. I glance up at him, knowing if he simply turns around and pulls back the blanket, he’ll notice us.
But Hayden seems confident we'll be able to keep our moment private. He slips his hand inside my underwear and continues to stroke me, his movements becoming more deliberate and intimate. I feel my body respond to his touch, my dick growing even harder in his hand.
Brendan seems to sense that something is off when he comments on the movie, earning no response from Hayden. He glances back at us, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sees us propped up together on his bed. For a moment, our gazes lock, and I feel a jolt of anxiety.
But then, Brendan looks away, seemingly unbothered or unaware of what's happening between Hayden and me. The movie continues to play, and Hayden's touch becomes more insistent, his fingers spiraling around my shaft up and down with an increased pace.
I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up. Part of me wants to push Hayden away, to tell him that we need to stop this right now before Brendan finds out. But another part of me is drawn to the pleasure he's offering, and I find myself wanting him to finish and send me over the edge. Then I remember what he told me Tuesday night, and maybe it makes sense now why he’s enjoying it so much with Brendan in front of us and oblivious to what’s going on. It’s just like in that tent at his track meet, Carter jerking him off while his other teammate is mere feet away.
I can feel Hayden's excitement as he strokes me, his breath hitching as he gauges my reactions. His eyes are focused on the screen, but I know he's fully aware of what's happening under the duvet. The tension builds, and I feel I’m unable to contain myself. Just as the movie reaches a climactic moment with a dramatic three-pointer on screen, Hayden's hand reaches its peak, and I feel myself about to explode. I bite down on my bottom lip to muffle the sound, but a low moan still escapes me as I orgasm, my entire body convulsing with pleasure as I spill onto Hayden’s hand and the crotch of my underwear. Hayden's grip tightens for a brief moment before he releases me, and we both lie there, breathing heavily.
Without thinking, Hayden grabs Brendan's basketball shorts from the end of the bed and uses them to clean us up, his movements discreet. He then pulls the duvet over our bodies as if nothing had happened, and we both sit up, trying to compose ourselves. Brendan’s head starts to tilt downward as if he is beginning to fall asleep, but he catches himself and tries to concentrate on the film, not appearing to have noticed our intimate exchange. I'm left feeling a jumble of relief and confusion as the room feels charged with unspoken desire, the evidence of Hayden’s boldness now mixed with Brendan’s basketball shorts from his morning practice right beside me.
A few more minutes pass, and Brendan begins to nod off again. Hayden pulls back the duvet and unbuttons the top of his jeans to show off his burgeoning cock straining the limits of the pouch of his black Nike Dri-Fit boxer briefs. I reach my hand over and start to massage it through the fabric, but Hayden reaches his hand around me and whispers into my ear. “Take me into your sweet mouth Joey….” A shudder courses through me again, despite the lingering anxiety about Brendan being right there. The dorm room is thick with a heady mix of scents. Brendan’s sweaty basketball clothes, the faint sweetness of my emission, and now, Hayden's unwashed scent from a day spent with Brendan and me.
I hesitate for only a fraction of a second. Hayden’s eyes are dark with need, and the memory of how good his mouth felt in me just nights ago is too fresh to ignore. There is something so exciting about being this naughty with him, like how he described Carter sucking Hayden off at their track meet and almost getting caught.
Carefully, I lean in, my senses heightening as I draw near. I can smell Hayden now, not just his cologne, but the raw, musky aroma of his crotch, a scent that speaks of exertion and pent-up desire. It's a far cry from the clean, showered version I'm accustomed to, but it's intoxicating in a pleasant way.
My lips part, and I gently bite him through the fabric. The taste is a surprise, a blend of salt and sweat, overlaid with the faint, familiar sweetness of his juices. It’s primal, animalistic, and undeniably arousing. His cock is already hard, straining against the fabric of his Nike boxer briefs, and I can feel his pulse throbbing against my lips.
My hands roam his body, tracing the lines of his abs, feeling the tension in his thighs.
I deepen the kiss, savoring his taste and feel. A soft moan escapes Hayden’s mouth, and I know I'm giving him what he craves. The contrasting scents create a unique and potent aphrodisiac, and I find myself lost in the moment. This is a risky endeavor, but the thrill of our potential discovery is too addictive to resist.
As Hayden shifts on the bed, he slides his hands into his jeans to create more room for himself. Simultaneously, I pull down the Nike Dri-FIT boxer briefs, exposing him fully to the air. His physique is breathtaking, a true embodiment of male perfection. I'm captivated by his beauty, even in the dimly lit room, and want to commit every detail to memory.
Hayden's voice whispers my name once more, thick with desire. "Joey," he says softly, and I respond by taking his familiar length into my mouth. My cheeks wrap around him, holding him gently while I resume exploring the contours of his body.
As the movie drones on in the background, Hayden's hand rests on the back of my head, guiding my rhythm. I'm acutely aware of Brendan's presence, his snores now punctuating the room's quiet, and I feel a thrill of danger and excitement that we're getting away with this.
Hayden's cock is hot and thick in my mouth, and his quiet gasps of pleasure spur me on, urging me to take him deeper. Despite the risk, I can’t resist reveling in the intimacy of the moment and the power I hold as I bring him closer to the edge. The pressure builds, and Hayden's grip tightens, his hips bucking slightly as he approaches his climax.
In the quiet of the dimly lit dorm room, Hayden’s hand in my hair becomes more demanding, his breath quickening as he nears the precipice. The movie's soundtrack crescendos, melding with the muffled sounds of our clandestine activity. I feel the muscles in Hayden’s thighs tense and know he’s close.
With a sudden burst of speed, I bob my head, eager to taste his seed once again. The warm, salty flavor of his release fills my mouth, and I swallow eagerly, savoring every drop as Hayden gasps in relief, his body going limp beneath me. Our eyes meet, a silent acknowledgment of the shared secret practiced just behind Brendan that now binds us even tighter. We both look back at him, and he snores on, blissfully unaware of the intimacy we just shared in his bed.
Hayden whispers, “Thank you, Joey, I love you.” his voice is filled with a mix of pleasure and guilt. We both know we’ve crossed another line, deepening the bond that’s growing between us and making our situation all the more complicated.
I pull away, gently wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, then lean into Hayden again to whisper, “I love you too.” The closing credits of Rez Ball begin to roll on Brendan's laptop screen, signaling the end of the movie and the end of our charade.
As the last beats of the soundtrack fade out, Brendan stirs in his chair, stretching his arms above his head with a loud yawn. “Damn, I passed out hard,” he mumbles, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Did I miss much?”
Hayden quickly sits up straighter, adjusting the duvet over his lap and smoothing his hair. "Nah, not really," he says, his voice hiding his climax only minutes ago. “You kinda expected them to win in the end."
I nod in agreement, offering Brendan a sheepish smile. "Yeah, you didn't miss anything too surprising," I say, trying to sound nonchalant.
Brendan squints at us, his gaze lingering on Hayden for a second before shifting to me. "You guys look cozy on my bed," he remarks, a hint of suspicion in his tone. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, man, all good," Hayden replies somewhat defensively. "Just tired, you know? Even though it’s the weekend, we’re both still up at 7. Life of an athlete.”
Brendan seems to accept Hayden’s explanation, but I'm left with a nagging feeling that he's not entirely convinced. There is something in his tone, a hint of curiosity that makes me wonder if he suspects more than we've let on.
As for Hayden, I'm still not sure what he's told Brendan about me beyond the fact that I work at the REC. A part of me is curious to know how much he's shared, but another part is hesitant to pry into their friendship. For now, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that our secret remains safe and that Brendan doesn't suspect a thing.
"Well, I'm gonna crash," Brendan announces, standing up and stretching again. "Got an early workout tomorrow. You guys gonna head home?"
"Yeah, probably," Hayden says, glancing at me. "I should get back to my room and get some sleep, too."
I nod in agreement, relieved that we're finally making our escape. "Sounds good. Thanks for having us over, Brendan," I say, offering a sincere smile.
"Anytime, guys," Brendan replies, his gaze still too intense for my liking. "We'll have to do it again sometime."
With that, Hayden and I gather our things and make our way out of Brendan's dorm room, leaving the tired basketball player behind. As we step out of his room, we both chuckle to each other, and Hayden’s hand slips into mine before we reach the stairs.
“Joey, I almost forgot to ask, can you see about organizing that camping trip for the three of us?” He turns to me.
“Wait,” I pause. “First of all, what does Brendan know about us, and does he know I know about you and him?”
“I haven’t told him anything.” Hayden shrugs. “We haven’t talked about what happened last weekend, and things between seemed to stay the way they were before that, so I didn’t bring it up. Plus, I was dealing with talking to Ava about what we already discussed.”
“Okay, but why do you want it to be three of us on this trip?” I inquire.
Hayden hesitates before answering, "Well, I enjoy hanging out with both of you guys, and I thought it would be fun for you to show us around.”
“But the three of us in a tent?” I grin.
“No! Don’t think it’s like that, Joey.” Hayden pleads. “We’ll get Brendan a tent on his own if you’re worried about that happening.”
“Okay, but won’t he get suspicious of why we’re together in a tent?”
“We’ll just say we only brought two small tents, and he’ll probably consider himself lucky that we’re sharing and he gets his own. What about you and your friend Alex? You guys seem close for him having a girlfriend too.” Hayden shoots me a glare as he opens the door to the stairs.
"It's not the same thing," I reply, caught off guard. "Alex and I fooled around a long time ago, and Aisha knows everything as she was friends with us when that happened.”
“You and him? I thought he was straight?” Hayden looks back at me suspiciously as we reach the first landing on the staircase.
“No, he’s bisexual.” I shrug. “We weren’t a couple like him and Aisha, just best friends with some benefits, but not now. Why, does it matter?”
“Nope, it doesn’t matter,” Hayden says quickly, though his tone still carries a hint of suspicion. “It’s just… you guys seem close, even though he has a girlfriend.”
“We were all friends first, Hayden,” I explain, trying to keep any defensiveness out of my voice as we continue down the stairs. “Aisha knew about all that when they decided to get together. I respect them together as a couple, and Aish is as close a friend as Alex.”
“Okay, Joey. I believe you.” Hayden takes my hand as we reach the bottom of the staircase and blocks the exit door. “So will you take Brendan and me camping?”
“Of course,” I smile. “And, I’ll make sure we’re well prepared and rent Brendan a proper sleeping bag. Just figure out when you want to go and I’ll ask Ethan for the weekend off.”
“Awesome Joey,” Hayden steps closer. His gaze softens as he reaches out and gently cups my face with his hands. “Thank you for tonight. And for agreeing to the camping trip. It means a lot to me.”
His thumbs trace the contours of my cheeks, and I lean into his touch, his familiar warmth spreading through me despite the late hour. The air between us feels electric again, a silent acknowledgment of the intimacy we shared in Brendan’s dorm room just moments ago.
Hayden lowers his head, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, tender kiss. It’s a different kiss from the passionate encounters in his apartment or his dorm room. This one feels more grounded, more… real, despite the underlying complications of Ava and Brendan.
“I had a good time too, Hayden,” I whisper against his lips when we finally part, our foreheads resting against each other.
He nods, his eyes lingering on mine. “Will do. Get home safe, okay?”.
“You too, Speedstar,” I tease softly, a small smile playing on my lips.
He chuckles, squeezing my hand one last time before releasing it. We exit the building together and he walks next door to Baker Hall while I turn toward my apartment.
As I walk the familiar route toward my place on Aurora Ave, the thrill continues to bubble up inside me. The idea of a backpacking trip with Hayden and the two of us in a tent under the Colorado stars is something I’d never imagined would happen when he walked up to me in the Rec eight days ago.
I can’t stop my mind from drifting back to my Venturing days and the close quarters shared with Travis. The memory of the soft nylon of Travis’s Cat’s Meow sleeping bag surrounding us in the darkness, the stolen touches and whispered words, is still vivid. Now, the prospect of sharing a sleeping bag again with Hayden fills me with excitement, a hopeful echo of the formative, intimate moments of my youth.
