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Max was silent for long enough that Jeremy lifted the phone away from his face towrong? “Um, hello?”

“I’, “Do you trust me?”

Jeremy frowned at the serious tone He didn’t have to think about it “Yes You helped hed like everyone else But I could tell you were different I kneas safe with you”

Max exhaled loudly “That’s… Thank you” He half-laughed “Honestly, that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me”

“Oh! Well, it’s true I knew you’d take care of ainst his pillows, Jere’s alolden glow across the bare wall through the blinds “I feel like I finally have a friend here”

“You do A hundred and ten percent I like you You’re cool”

I’m cool! He tried to sound like he actually was, since Jeremy kneas extremely uncool and was usually okay with that “Thanks You too”

“Look—” Max exhaled noisily “No pressure, okay? But do you want ”

Jereht he meant? “Uh…” How could he be expected toout of his ears?

“I’ll show you the basics Friends with benefits No big deal”

Friends With Benefits This was definitely a thing people did “You’d do that for me?”

“Sure” Max chuckled “It would be forme a favor If you’re into it, we can have fun Like I said, no pressure I just thought if you’re coet your feet wet Not to mention your dick”

Jereh “Um, I, uh…”

“We can go slow”

“But I’m a neurotic mess”

“You’re adorable Trust me”

And he did He really did Yeah, he’d only known Max a few days, but… Flashes ofarm secure around hi s his cheeks, the furroeen his brows as he listened to Jeremy talk about his parents, the warive him his first kiss

“I do,” Jere hi Friends with benefits, that was all “I trust you I want…” I want you God, he did

He let himself admit that he wanted Max Pi Canucks player Brock Boeser, who’d gotten hi Brock Boeser play hockey, at least But forget him Because Max Pi to him breathe