It was after the third game in the playoffs that Christian told Ronnie about the trade. They had just won against the Fairfax Fury and, as had become their custom, Christian had followed Ronnie home after the game. The box of condoms was his this time—he lay nude on Ronnie’s bed, the sheets twined around his legs, his ass comfortably warm from the arm Ronnie had draped over it. He felt loose and pliant, like an old rubber band that had been stretched beyond its means and no longer held any tension in it. The pillow was cool beneath his cheek, the mattress firm against the front of his body, his lover on his back beside him. One of Christian’s arms was around Ronnie’s waist, keeping him close; the other lay straight beside him, fingers toying with Ronnie’s hand where it rested against his h
