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realized, he was discreet enough not to comment.
 I appreciate that; you have no idea. But I d have to go pick him up, he doesn t
have a car.
Jackson shrugged.  So we let Jake pick him up.  Bout time that lazy-ass twin of
mine did something helpful.
I sent Craig a quick message explaining the plan, and after a brief back and forth
of him demurring, which I could tell he was doing out of politeness rather than not
wanting to see me eventually Jackson was calling Jake and telling him he was on cab
duty. I couldn t hear the other end of the conversation, but it didn t sound like he had
much of a problem with it.
Maybe it was just my ramped-up emotions, but I found myself getting more and
more worked up as the evening went on, knowing Craig was coming. I tried to make
small talk with Jackson, joked around well enough, but there was a growing knot in my
chest that lurched bigger every time I checked the time.
I almost bolted off the couch when I heard a key in the door. And then Craig stood
in the doorway, looking a little awkward perhaps at the unfamiliar place and the new
people, and I couldn t help it, I had to get up and grab hold of him. Hugging his narrow
body, pressing my lips against the side of his neck. I knew Jackson and Jake were
undoubtedly watching, but I didn t care.
 I missed you, I whispered, mouth close to his ear. Craig squeezed me.
 You okay?
I nodded, just a small movement.  Been better, but having you here makes it
easier.
Eventually I remembered my manners, peeled myself off Craig, and turned to
Jackson.
202 | ALEX PENDRAGON
 Jackson, this is Craig; Craig, meet Jackson, Jake s brother. Jackson stood up and
extended his hand, then pulled Craig into a hug. I could imagine Craig s surprise; he
didn t seem particularly tactile, aside from with me.
 Good to meet you, man, Jackson was saying.  Hope my brother didn t freak you
out with his damn-awful driving.
Jake protested loudly, and we all laughed. I couldn t get over how delicate Craig
looked next to Jackson. Admittedly, he was always going to be dwarfed by a wrestler,
but seeing them standing together my boyfriend s slender form emphasized by his
skinny jeans and simple black T-shirt really struck home the difference. It left me
wanting to wrap him in my arms again and take care of him, somehow.
 I m a good driver! Jake was still protesting.  Unlike some, I don t take my eyes
off the road whenever there s a cute guy walking past.
Jackson sighed.  Maybe not, but heaven protect anybody in the car with you in
the summer. All those hot girls in tiny shirts; every day I m surprised you ve not
written that car off.
Jake grinned bashfully, though not at all guiltily, and gave his twin the finger.
 You hungry, Craig? Jackson asked.
Craig shook his head.  Already eaten, but thanks.
I pulled him down next to me on the sofa, snaked my arm round his hips, and
drew him in close. I caught what looked like an approving glance from Jackson and a
mildly entertained one from Jake, but it felt good to be able to be touchy-feely and not
have to worry what people around us were thinking.
We watched a dumb movie, Craig eventually migrating from sitting next to me to
resting with his head in my lap, my fingers carefully trailing through his hair. I hadn t
been able to fully push the thought of my parents reaction from my mind, but it was
helping: Craig, the twins, the ostensible normality of the situation even if it had been
prompted by a very unusual day.
JOCK AUCTION | 203
 Let me show you guys the spare room, Jake told us, maybe noticing Craig s
attempts to hide his yawns, and led us upstairs. It was a simple room, obviously
doubling as a study, but the bed was a decent size even with two in it. A connecting
door led to a shared bathroom.
Jake clicked on the bedside lamp.  Look, you guys are totally welcome, okay?
Kyle is my brother on the team, and that means I ve got his back. You too, Craig.
I felt Craig s hand squeezing mine.  Thanks, Jake, I told him.  That means a lot.
He shrugged, then stepped a pace forward and wrapped me in an unexpected
hug. I patted his back, flashbacks of Jackson holding me as I sobbed just a few hours
earlier fresh in my mind. When he let me go, he turned to Craig.
 G night, dude, Jake said, smiling, and then to what I knew would be Craig s
surprise grabbed him and hugged him too. My boyfriend looked a little shocked when
he finally let him go.
 They seem nice, he said, as soon as Jake closed the door. I nodded.
 The best. I had a really good talk with Jackson; he s not a dumb jock.
Craig frowned a little.  I never said he was. In fact, I d never say that about
someone.
I sat on the edge of the bed.  I know you wouldn t. I ran my hands across my
face.  It s just been a weird one, y know? My parents are meant to be the supportive
ones, and they turn out to be the assholes. Whereas the jocks you might think would be
homophobic end up being the biggest supporters.
Craig grinned at me.  Well, jocks usually are supportive, he joked. I rolled my
eyes.
 Oh, no, you re not turning this into a dress-up session. Anyway, I don t think I
have one with me.
He shrugged, pouted.  Think Jackson would lend you a wrestling singlet?
204 | ALEX PENDRAGON
My expression must ve looked suitably horrified, because he immediately held up
his hands.
 Okay, okay, I m joking! But you d look so hot in one& 
 He s got one that turns half-transparent when you get it wet, I told him.
 I m not going to ask how you know that, he replied, sitting down on the bed
next to me. We were quiet for a moment.
 Look, Craig, I started, trying to formulate the sentences in my head and
struggling.  I know it s a weird question, but would you still be interested if, well, if I
wasn t a jock?
I looked down at my hands, suddenly terrified of hearing the answer to the
question I d only just asked.
 I don t love you because of your body, Kyle, Craig told me, voice quiet.  Oh,
sure, I think you re absolutely gorgeous. But you re an incredible person, and that s
what I find most attractive.
I explained what Jackson had said earlier, about finding it difficult to meet guys
who didn t simply see him as a conquest to boast about. Craig sighed.
 Okay, I m going to ignore the fact that you re basically suggesting I m potentially
as shallow as one of those guys. I m sorry Jackson has had a shitty time of it, but that
doesn t mean the only guys who fall for people who play sports are jock fuckers.
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