Jake's pov:

The end of the season party was finally happening. Adam was putting it together and my house had turned into a crowded mess. All my teammates had crammed themselves into our living room and a bunch of people I didn't know kept filing in. For needing to be in control I had done nothing to help set this up. I'd let my roommates do all the preparations and now I was starting to regret it.

It was still the beginning of the party and I could spot way too many messes that I'd need to clean at the end of the night. Empty cups littered the kitchen and the counters were covered in a layer of spilled liquid.

I had to swallow back the need to shoo everyone away so I could get a head start. I would have to try to push the clean up on my roommates too. I knew they'd all be way too hungover to even think about cleaning tomorrow but I really didn't want to deal with it all on my own.

"Where's your drink?" I turned at the voice smiling when my eyes landed on Evan.

I had tried to get him to come earlier but he'd refused. The reason for his refusal stood behind him. All three of his roommates stood behind Evan. I had invited them all to come but part of me thought they might not show. I didn't know why I thought that but I think I was holding out on some hope.

This was the first time my friends would be meeting Evan's. We'd kept the two groups pretty separate until now. I was slightly worried they'd all hate each other. I knew some of my roommates could be difficult, especially Adam.

"I haven't started drinking yet, I was waiting for you." I walked over with my crutches to greet my boyfriend.

"This is your party, you're supposed to be getting super drunk as I make sure you don't do anything stupid." Evan leaned forward pressing a quick kiss to my lips.

"I've got too many idiots to look after." I gestured to where my roommates were huddled throwing back drinks.

Evan let out a laugh at the sight.

"You guys want drinks?" I turned to address Evans roommates.

"Yeah." Becca nodded.

I took her answer to mean they all would want some so I just led the group to the kitchen. I fell into easy conversation with the group as we all poured drinks for ourselves. Being able to get along with Evans friends always made me feel good. I don't know what I would have done if they hated me.

"Finally joining the fun Captain?" Dom clapped me on the shoulder looking down at my filled up cup.

"Not a captain anymore." I told him.

"Doesn't stop when the season is over." Dom just grinned.

I turned to Evans roommates and made some introductions. Dom looked at both Becca and Monroe and smiled. He gave them nice and friendly greetings that I tended to expect from Dom.

"Who let this ugly face in?" Dom turned to Jetson giving him a teasing smile.

"Don't make me hit you Dominic." Jetson just rolled his eyes.

I had already known the two knew each other. Dom had told me about his connection to Westerly early on in our friendship. It was the reason that I went to Dom when I wanted Evans phone number. But just because I knew Dom and Jetson were friends it was obvious Evan didn't.

Evan looked between the duo with wide eyes as he tried to figure it out.

"It's good to see you." Dom walked over pulling Jetson into a quick hug.

"You act like we never see each other."

"Don't judge me for missing my friend, if you'd come play at Kingsley with me I wouldn't have had to miss you at all."

"I also wouldn't be in the playoffs." Jetson relied.

"Hold on, I'm confused." Evan just kept staring at the two friends.

"We played football together in high school." Jetson explained.

That seemed to answer all the questions on my boyfriend's face. He nodded in understanding and I saw something like realization flash on his face. I'm guessing there were a few things that made more sense with this information out.

"To never playing football again." I felt an arm wrap around me and then a bottle of alcohol was in my face, I could do nothing to stop Connor as he poured the dark liquid into my cup.

"I already have alcohol in here." I pushed the bottle away.

"Drink up Cap." He winked nudging the cup towards my face.

I would argue but I didn't have the energy to deal with Connor tonight. I took a sip of my drink and was smacked with the strength of the alcohol. Before it was a subtle taste masked by what I'd mixed it with, now there was no hiding the taste.

"Connor these are Evans roommates." I gestured to the three people Connor hadn't met.

Connor looked up scanning the faces. I watched as he stilled eyes focused on Jetson.

"I'm Becca." The blonde tried to introduce herself to Connor but he didn't even look her way.

I'd seen Connor interact with many people but I'd never seen him look at anyone as long as he was staring at Jetson. I was almost scared for what that meant. I didn't know what happened when someone caught the attention of Connor.

"Fuck." Connor muttered and then shook his head seeming to snap out of whatever thoughts were going through his head.

His eyes finally left Jetson and turned to the couple.

"Becca and," he trailed off as he looked at Monroe.

"Monroe." He huffed out wrapping an arm around his girlfriend.

"I would say I've heard a lot about you but Jake keeps Evan locked up away from me." Connor joked.

"Maybe if you actually put some clothes on I'd let you hang out with us." I shot back at him.

"I'm clothed right now." Connor grinned and then took a large sip straight from the bottle he was carrying around.

"Lucky us."

Connors eyes trailed back to Jetson. I watched that carefree smile falter as he stared.

"I might even keep my clothes on unless the pretty one asks nicely to see what's underneath." Connor winked Jets way.

"Don't flirt with Jetson." Dom threw an arm over his friends shoulder giving Connor a pointed look.

"It's a party Dom, have some fun for once." Connor groaned.

"I'm going to find Callum, Jet you should come meet him." Dom turned away from Connor to put his attention back to Jetson.

"Okay." Jetson nodded and then said some quick goodbyes to his friends before following Dom as he made his way out of the kitchen.

Connor didn't say anything as he turned to follow them. He trailed the duo like he couldn't help himself. I had a feeling he wasn't following for Dom's sake but for the wavy haired boy at his side. When I turned to see if Evan saw the same thing he was deep into a conversation with Becca and Monroe.

I let myself forget about Connor and fell into the conversation Evan was having. I'd have a nice night with my boyfriend. I didn't need to worry about anyone else's problems.

—

"Sit down please." Evan sighed as I stumbled forward.

"I want to move, I can't sit around and do nothing. It's a party Ev." I grinned happily at my pretty boyfriend.

"You have a broken ankle and you're too drunk to be able to use your crutches." He tried to reason with me but I wasn't really listening.

"I can walk." I shooed him off me as I tried to make my way through the crowd.

"You're an annoying drunk." Evan complained as he followed me.

"Not drunk." I shook my head denying what we both knew was true.

Connor had shown up a few times throughout the night to get me to drink with him. He obviously had way more than I did but the amount I did drink was more than enough to create a nice buzz. I was teetering the line of buzzed and drunk, probably more on the drunk side.

"I'm trying to stop you from doing anything stupid." Evans hands landed on my shoulders trying to steer me towards the door to Nico's room.

I wanted to fight that but the idea of curling into bed with Evan was too good to pass up.

"Hey have you seen Connor?" Nico walked up to me a bottle of alcohol that looked a lot like the one Connor was carrying around in his hand.

"Not since he kept trying to get me to drink that." I gestured to the bottle in Nico's hand.

"Yeah well he walked up to me shoved it in my hand and told me to keep an eye on it. I thought he had to piss or something but it's been like almost an hour and he's gone."

I felt myself start to sober up as responsibility crushed me. It was on me as the leader to look after my teammates and that included Connor. He was wickedly difficult but I knew I needed to check on him. There was a pretty high chance he was passed out in his room but it was for the best to check.

"Give it, I'll go check on him." I reached out for the bottle.

"Jake I think you should lay down." Evan looked at me with concern.

"I got it, I'll meet you in the room in like five minutes." I smiled at Evan leaning forward to press a kiss to his lips.

"I can come or check on Connor for you." Evan offered.

"You don't want to see what's behind that door, it's rarely ever good." I told him.

There was usually a high chance that Connor was naked.

I hobbled my way through the room. I didn't move all that well with my cast on still but it was what I had to work with.

Connors door was shut so I knocked before trying the door. It was unlocked so I pushed it open expecting to see Connor unconscious in bed. I was correct about him being in bed but instead of passed out he was laid out next to someone else.

"Holy fuck." I just stared at the duo for a second.

"You ever heard of knocking you dick?" Connor snapped pushing himself up to sit.

"I did knock." I answered and then my gaze flicked back to his guest.

Jetson was laid out next to him the blankets pulled up almost to his chin.

"Hi Jake," Jet gave me a sheepish smile as he pulled at the blankets more trying to cover himself.

"I got your bottle, Nico was looking for you." I turned back to my roommate.

"It's almost empty, I'll need a new supply anyway." Connor threw the blanket off him and stood up.

I shouldn't have been surprised that he was naked but still the lack of clothes gave me a shock. Connor didn't seem to really care as he pulled his boxers on. He said nothing and I didn't ask any more questions as Connor walked over to me snatching the bottle out of my hands.

"Feel free to wear whatever you find in here." Connor gestured to his room and then walked right out the door.

I followed him leaving Jetson alone in Connors room. There was so much I wanted to ask but I usually stayed the hell out of Connors messy love life. Connor was what most people would call a player. He slept around a lot, he fell into bed with whoever showed interest. Up until now I'd only seen him look at women.

This whole thing was surprising but then I thought about how Connor reacted when he saw Jetson and really I should have seen it coming.

I trailed behind Connor as he walked to the kitchen. He drank the whole way there, talking large sips of the bottle with each step. I waited until he traded out the one in his hand for a new one before I spoke.

"I didn't know you were into guys." I said.

Connor turned to look at me.

"Have you seen Jetson?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Yes many times." I nodded.

"And you didn't want to sleep with him?" His voice sounded disbelieving.

The answer was easy because there hadn't been a moment I'd ever looked at Jetson and thought about sleeping with him. I only looked at one person that way. Someone I really wished I was with right now instead of being in this conversation.

"Can't say I have." I answered.

"You might want to get your eyes checked then." I would have thought it was a joke but there was nothing in Connors voice or on his face that showed he was being anything other than serious.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I didn't know what to say so I said nothing as Connor walked away back towards his room where Jetson was still waiting.

Well at least things seemed to go well with Evan and I's friends meeting.

A/n:

Alright so the sequel to this book, The Path to You is going to be a friends to lovers story following Connor and Jetson! It is going to take place immediately after the final chapter of this book. It will be dual POV but the main pov is going to be Jetson. The book is going to be less spicy than this one but will still have some spicy scenes and the story will be slightly shorter than this one as well. I hope you all are just as excited as I am. I truly love both of these books and both couples so much. I'm very excited about being able to share this with you all.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

-Cora Leigh