Page 49 of Play Maker

Fucking hell.

“That’s the bed,” Axel replied quickly. “You guys probably never wash the sheets.”

Ethan shook his head. I wasn’t sure he was buying Axel’s explanation.

Instead of worrying about it, I crossed my arms and faked boredom, giving a huge yawn.

“Well, we’re gonna head back to the dorm and get some sleep,” I declared.

Ethan rolled his eyes. “It’s almost four in the morning. Just sleep here and I’ll feed you breakfast in the morning.”

“You’re not going to put laxatives in our eggs or anything like that?”

Ethan walked up to me and flicked my forehead. “We have a game coming up. Don’t be dumb.”

“But afterwards?” I asked.

“Then, fair’s fair,” Ethan quipped, and I glared at him. “Kidding.”

He wasn’t. Just like his frat bros and hockey teammates, Ethan was competitive as fuck and wouldn’t let things go. Payback was coming, one way or another.

“So, have you made up now?” Ethan smirked. “Did forcible confinement work? Are you best buddies?”

I glanced at Axel, but he gave me a look that I couldn’t quite interpret. In his eyes, I saw a mixture of surprise, confusion, and tension, all at once. I had a feeling that I looked very much the same.

What the hell had we done?

“Not best, but we’re still breathing, so that has to count for something,” Axel responded quietly, never losing eye contact.

Speak for yourself.How could I breathe after that kiss?

“Good.” Ethan grinned and made his way back to the door. “Now get some sleep. Fuck knows we need it.”

“I’ll grab the couch downstairs,” Axel replied, following our teammate.

That was a smart idea. Space. Distance. Axel and I needed all that and more. And we didn’t need a repeat of that incredible, but incredibly stupid, kiss. I could chalk it up to too much drinking, but I was never one to lie to myself. Both of us wanted it. I think? I certainly did. Maybe it was just curiosity for Axel. Or, worse, maybe he was playing a game with me that went far beyond the rink. Was his reaction an act? Was he trying to get close just to toy with me? The idea that Axel could be as manipulative as my ex had my stomach clenching hard.

Stop angsting. It was just a kiss. No harm, no foul.

And erections don’t lie.

It didn’t change anything.

It didn’t mean anything.

I’d had plenty of kisses. And none of them left me feeling anything more than pleasure in the moment. It was done, over. There was nothing to worry about, and nothing to replay.

When Axel left the room, I should’ve felt relieved. Instead, a gnawing ache nagged at my chest. It was probably just too much booze. Or the stale air up here.

I threw off my jacket and lay back down on the bed. But sleep, unfortunately, didn’t come as fast as I did.

CHAPTER 17

AXEL

Two days later, game day

I kissed Jace and I liked it.

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