“What’s up Joe?” I asked once he caught up to me.

  “Text me and let me know what your doctor says. Dr. Holloway is thinking you’ll be out for 4-6 weeks and if that’s the case, I don’t want you to worry about it. I’m already brainstorming ideas on how we can turn this into a longer story with Silver. Honestly, I’m kinda excited!” Grinning, he smacked my not fucked up shoulder.

  “Will do.” I gave Joe a halfhearted thumbs up.

  It wasn’t as if I was ungrateful that my fuck up didn’t mean a stalling of my career, but I couldn’t focus. I just wanted to go home and sleep on my shitty couch.

  “If it’s any consolation, you two kicked ass tonight. I wouldn’t be shocked if Joe doesn’t want to push you two straight to the championships after tonight.” I said as I carefully climb into the backseat of Nick’s car.

  “Well duh! He’s a billionaire, he’s not that stupid.” Zeke huffed.

  All three of us laughed, and the air of tension around us started to evaporate. My friends were dumb assholes, but they were my dumb assholes.

  I unlocked my front door. It was 1:30 in the morning and I hoped to creep in quietly, not wake up Elle, and crash hard. I closed the door behind me and kicked off my shoes.

  “Logan?”

  I looked up at Elle standing in the bedroom doorway. A low light from the bedside lamp cut through the dark house and surrounded her like a golden beam. Her short silky pajama shorts kissed the top of her thighs, and I had to actively blink my focus up to her confused face.

  Damnit.

  I had taken two steps. So much for sneaking.

  “Hey.” I grunted.

  “I thought you wouldn’t be home until tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. That was the original plan until I fucked up my shoulder. I decided to come home early. Did I wake you?”

  “No.”

  I tossed my keys on the coffee table, dropped my gym bag at my feet, and flopped down on the couch.

  “Are you doing, okay?” She asked.

  I rolled my head back on the couch cushions and looked at her. “I’m alright just gonna get some sleep.”

  Elle leaned against the doorframe and shook her head. “No. Not out here. Come on.” She motioned over her shoulder towards the bedroom.

  “What?” I asked, my turn to be confused.

  “You hurt your shoulder tonight. You already have trouble sleeping on the couch. You try to act like it doesn’t make you stiff, but I see you. Not tonight. Share the bed with me.”

  Share the bed with me…

  I swallowed hard at the suggestion.

  “W-w-wouldn’t that be weird?” I stammered.

  “We’re grownups, not animals. I think we can sleep in the same bed for a night.”

  “…I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  Elle rolled her eyes. “Look Logan, I promise to be on my best behavior if you do. Deal?”

  She crossed her arms and widened her stance as if to show me she wasn’t going to back down. It would be awkward, and it would be weird. But as happy as I was to be home, I didn’t want to sleep my broken body on the couch. Elle and I were friends. We could handle a close proximity sleep.

  “Deal.”

  I followed behind Elle only to take a detour to the on suite. Thankfully, using the bathroom was still easy enough with one hand. One disturbingly long pee later, I shuffled over to the sink to wash my free hand. I grabbed some painkillers from the cabinet and swallowed a few. As my pain dulled, and I was hopeful my shoulder wouldn’t keep me awake. I stared at myself in the mirror. I didn’t look any different from a typical show day, besides the obvious sling and sheen of panic sweat on my forehead.

  Get it together Logan!

  I grabbed a washcloth and rubbed my face dry. I glanced at my face again and tried to swallow the nerves attacking my stomach. I’d shared a bed with both Nick and Zeke several times. Hell, I’d lost count how many times I woke up in a shitty hotel room, after a late night of wrestling and video games, between the brothers with Nick’s head on my chest and Matt’s legs wrapped around me. I could deal with this. Totally not a problem. I took a deep breath and walked into my bedroom. A room I’ve grown to miss. A room another person had never slept in before Elle. She sat on the left side of the bed near the bathroom, leaving me the right side.

  I stood at the side of the bed, very confused at what I should do. My brain had short-circuited, and I no longer knew how sleeping worked. Elle looked at me, her eyebrows raised expectantly. After an awkward pause, I used my good hand to shimmy out of my sweatpants and unzip my hoody. Down to my underwear, I turned back around to Elle, her cute lips curved up at the edges.

  “You really banged yourself up didn’t ya?” She motioned towards my sling.

  “Yeah. Not the height of fashion, is it?”

  Her laughter eased some of the tension in my chest. I climbed under the covers, thankful for something else to think about besides the pain in my shoulder. Elle clicked off the light, shrouding the room in darkness. The bed shifted as she positioned herself under the covers with an ocean of space between us. I swallowed at the fact that space conveyed.

  “Goodnight Logan.”

  “Goodnight Elle.”

  My bed was just as comfortable as I remembered. I was drained and utterly exhausted when I opened my front door. Now sleep seemed like a fucking impossibility. Wide eyed, I stared up at the ceiling. Bits of moonlight trickled through the blinds.

  I’m not a fucking teenager. Why am I being so damn awkward about this?!

  Tossing and turning was impossible with my arm out of commission, so I was stuck on my back. I strained my ears trying to listen for Elle’s breathing, trying to guess if she was asleep. I had no idea how long I laid there waiting for sleep to find me. But it didn’t. The quiet of the bedsprings filled my ears as Elle shifted.

  “Are you asleep?” she whispered.

  Her voice, although quiet, filled the room. I turned my head towards her and waited as my eyes adjusted. She was a silhouette without much definition but all Elle.

  “No. You?” I whispered back.

  “No.”

  We both laughed.

  “I guess this is good practice for when the baby comes.” She said in a much more normal tone now that we established neither one of us was sleeping.

  “That’s a good way to think about it,” I said before rolling onto my good shoulder to face her.

  “Be careful!” Elle reached out and grabbed my slung arm.

  I gasped. Not so much from the pain, but from the jolt of electricity that shot through me at the skin-on-skin contact. My heart had finally calmed the fuck down, only to rev up all over again.

  “Oh, God! I’m so sorry!” Elle snatched her hand back.

  “It’s okay. Honestly, I like when you touch me.” I confessed quietly.

  Silence burned my ears. Elle didn’t say anything, eliciting feelings of self-loathing for making things weird. I tried to think of words for an apology, but before I could string together a proper sentence, the bed shifted. Elle scooted closer and closed the gap between us. The gentle sound of her breathing helped to drown out my erratic heartbeat. There were mere inches between us. Even in the dark, so close, I was able to make out every beautiful bit of her face.

  “…I like when you touch me too… Can you touch me?”

  Careful not to call attention to the tremble in my hand, I reached up and cupped her cheek. She cozied into my palm with a quiet sigh. Her skin in my hand was like a homecoming that surged warmth through me. Slowly, my thumb moved over her lips, caressing the plump softness. Elle’s eyes closed, and a little ridge bunched up between her brows. Worried of a misstep, I started to inch away my hand-

  “Please kiss me…” Elle’s breathless plea burned my ears.

  Eager to follow directions, I leaned in and pressed my lips onto hers. Like the times before kissing, Elle consumed me in a violent mix of passion and desire. As best as she could with my sling in the way, Elle pressed her body against mine. Her hard nipples pushed against my chest as she hooked her leg over my hip. A heavy sigh escaped her mouth, allowing my tongue access. God, to taste Elle again after all this time was like being a man rescued from the desert. I’d found my oasis, and I wanted to drown.

  I pushed my hips forward, pressing Elle between her thighs. Even with clothes between us, the pressure of my length against her most sensitive place elicited a decadent gasp. I deepened our kiss. Ecstasy pulsated through my veins. My dick strained against my underwear. The need overwhelming, all-consuming. I needed Elle. I needed her now. I inched my lips away from hers, leading a trail of kisses to her ear.

  “I need your help. Lose the pajamas.” I whispered before nibbling on her earlobe.

  Elle let out a groan before she shifted away from me, leaving a coolness in her absence. Laying on my side, I rested my head on my hand and watched her scurried out of bed and undress. Any other time I would have appreciated a strip tease. The performer in me loved a good show, but tonight the need was unbearable. Naked, she hopped back into bed, and I pulled her to me.

  “Fuck…” I muttered as her skin pressed against mine.

  “You okay?” She asked.

  “Amazing…” I ran my hand up her thigh and over her hip.

  Elle snaked her hands into my hair, but I didn’t need her direction. I claimed her mouth again. Our tongues danced around each other in a duet I intended to win.

  There was a time in my early wrestling career when I wrestled a series of matches with a broken wrist I was hiding. I was able to do that shit perfectly, never once wishing for the use of my other hand. But tonight, I would have given any fucking thing to be able to touch Elle with both my hands. I knew there was no use wishing for impossible things, so I turned my attention towards feeling as much of Elle’s wonderful, soft skin as I could with one hand and my mouth.

  “Are you feeling up to this?” Elle asked as my lips kissed down her neck.

  “We’ll have to make some adjustments, but I want this to be as good for you as it is for me, okay?”

  Elle nodded, and I took that as permission to ease her onto her back. I looked her over. Her body was so sexy. All the curves I had admired had filled out with pregnancy. A stupid alpha male sense of pride filled me knowing I was responsible for the life growing inside her.

  Fuck…

  I let out a breath and ignored the shoulder pain as I leaned down and devoured her mouth. My tongue stroked hers as I shifted onto my functional side. As much as my alpha male dominant side wanted to be on top, that was impossible. I kissed along her jaw, down her neck and over her collarbone. Her breasts greeted me like two unexplored mountain peaks. Pregnancy swelled them more and more every day. The breasts I had originally gotten acquainted with were worlds different now, and I was eager to learn them all over again. Her nipples were already stiff, eager to be teased. Carefully, I lashed one brown areola with the tip of my tongue. Elle moaned.

  “You like that?” I grinned.

  “Y-yes…” she huffed, her breath heavy and thick with want.

  I slowly licked around her nipple before sucking the whole dark brown peak into my mouth. A full body shiver consumed her as my mouth took care to assault her breasts with equal attention.

  I glanced up, watching the manic rise and fall of Elle’s chest as I kissed down her ribs and over her hip. Her little mound of hair tickled my nose as I neared the sweet spot. I planted a kiss between her legs, which sent a tremor through her. I couldn’t help the stupid smirk on my face at the way I was able to please her.

  “Watch the shoulder,” I reminded before leaning in and sliding a hand between her legs. My fingers spread her slick warm folds.

  “You’re so wet Elle…” I chuckled as my finger ran the length of her opening.

  “L-L-Logan…” She writhed with uncontrollable need.

  Permission granted.

  I buried my face in her pussy. Her scent filled my nose and her taste exploded in my mouth. I lapped up the sweet wetness. My tongue moved up to circle her clit. Elle’s body shook, and she gasped as I gently sucked the nub. Reactively, both her hands grabbed my hair, holding me in place. Lucky for her, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Her hips rocked against my mouth.

  “I’m close!” She shouted.

  Elle’s body went ridged, and she screamed my name. Her pussy throbbed as orgasm overcame her. My mouth rode out her pleasure, licking until her body calmed. I sat back on my knees and looked down at her, panting beneath me. Shoulder be damned, I had to have her. I wiped my soaked face.

  “Do you want me to get a condom?”

  Elle shook her head, “They tested me…” she swallowed and paused to catch her breath. “They tested me for STIs at my first appointment, so I know we’re both clean. Also, I don’t think I can get more pregnant.”

  Like a madman on a mission, I yanked down the waistband of my underwear. Several unsexy moments later, I kicked off my boxer briefs. Elle reached between her legs and guided me to her entrance. I grabbed the headboard for support as I pushed inside her. My eyes squeezed closed, and all the breath fled from my lungs. I stilled as the sensations overwhelmed all my senses.

  Shit! Shit! Shit!

  She fit perfectly around me. Tight and warm, so warm. I swallowed and started to move. Anything more than that and I’d explode. Elle’s body adjusted to mine and our bodies moved together in a coordinated frenzy. I couldn’t do much, but Elle matched my efforts tenfold and thrusted beneath me. It was effortless for me to reach the precipice.

  “Elle…” Her name brushed past my lips.

  I needed her to know how she made me feel. I closed my eyes and took the plunge. My hand dug into the headboard as I held on for my life. Red flashed behind my eyelids and blood roared in my ears.

  Slowly, my awareness returned, and my shoulder wasn’t the only thing that hurt. My hand was numb from gripping the headboard so hard. Elle pulled me to her. I settled against her chest. Her fingers gently twirled my hair as we collected ourselves and our breathing returned to normal.

  How could I ever want anyone else ever again?

  Elle

  Pee. Pee. I have to pee!

  I stared up at the ceiling and tried to ignore the tingling in my bladder. Logan was curled up against my side. His just fucked hair brushed wildly across his head. Before we passed out, I twirled my fingers through his curls. With his head on my chest, I felt his smile against my skin. I drifted off, knowing I made him happy. I made him feel good. That made me happy. I wanted to stay in this glorious, cozy, post-sex cocoon. Where reality didn’t exist, just two idiots in a sexy hazy. But my bladder had other plans. Stupid pregnancy.

  Sorry Blobby!

  As careful as possible, I wiggled from under Logan and slipped out of bed. I tiptoed towards the bathroom to pause at an unsettled groan from the bed. Shoulders hunched up to my ears, I looked back to Logan flopping face first onto the pillows. Other than that frantic flopping he continued to sleep. Relieved, I continued tiptoeing to the bathroom to relieve myself. The sigh that escaped my mouth was a bit too loud, but it couldn’t be helped. Frequent bathroom trips were just par for the course.

  Bladder empty, I snatched my silk summer robe off the hook on the back of the door. The fact that I had infiltrated Logan’s house was still weird. Bits of me were all over his space. I didn’t have my own place anymore and he graciously let me into his. He seemed fine with it. There was so much to think about. So much to dissect. But now wasn’t the time. I sighed and pushed all my overthinking to the side.

  I opened the bathroom door, to find Logan awake. He lay on his side, his good arm outstretched overhead, and the blankets pooled around his waist. I swallowed hard at the sight of his chiseled abs leading down to a smoothness where little curls of hair peeked out.

  “…Hey. Everything alright?” He smiled.

  His hooded eyes screamed tired and pain, but his upturned lips shouted mischief.

  “…Morning. Just had to pee. You know how it is, pregnancy.” I shrugged.

  He nodded.

  “How are you doing?” I asked.

  “Been better.” His laughter was lifeless and flat.

  I took that as a cue and ducked back into the bathroom. I grabbed a couple of pain pills and a glass of water. Logan wasn’t going to play tough with me. I saw through him. I sat on the edge of the bed and watched as he slowly shuffled to sit up.

  “Thanks.” He mumbled.

  Logan took the pills and chugged the water. He sighed and looked at me. I shifted under his gaze and pulled my robe a little tighter. It was as if we were both suddenly aware how much things had changed. I had intended to keep things neutral. But desire overtook my common sense. What happened, happened and it couldn’t be changed. I wanted a TARDIS, a time machine. I wanted to go back to when co-parenting was going smoothly and there were no messy emotions involved. Logan was clear that he wasn’t one for relationships. Originally, I was fine with that, now not so much. My stupid feelings would just have to be hurt. Logan leaned back against the headboard and scrunched up his face. Grunting, he shifted uncomfortably from side to side.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Pillow feels lumpy or something…” Logan reached behind him.

  My stomach dropped when he yanked a Japanese sweat towel with his smiling face on it from under the pillows.

  Fuck…!

  I had totally forgotten about that. The ‘I like you as a friend’ conversation would have been easier to swallow without an extra heaping of smoldering embarrassment.

  “Uh…?” Logan asked as he looked at the towel.

  My face was on fire. If my skin was lighter, I’m sure I’d be redder than Elmo from Sesame Street. I had never wished for a Michigan earthquake stemming from an undiscovered fault line under Logan’s bedroom to open the earth’s crust and swallow me whole, but now seemed like a perfect time to plead for such a thing.