Page 114 of Play Maker

“You don’t have to say it,” I whispered against his lips. “But it’s true. You feel it too.”

He nodded and kissed me harder.

I’d do just about anything for Jace, including wearing a jersey with that silly nickname.

Being with him, like this, meant more to me than anything.

We both crashed hard and woke up early Sunday morning with the urge to get back on the ice. Our normal routine helped ease some of the anxiety we were both feeling. Jace texted Silas and Finn and asked if they wanted to join us, but Silas was busy, and Finn didn’t want to get out of bed.

So, an hour later, we made off, trudging through the winter slush that blanketed the campus.

Then we hit the ice, just the two of us.

Only this time, instead of fighting our anger, we fought to keep our hands off each other. It wasn’t easy and the more I watched Jace skate, the more turned on I got.

“Come here,” I said to him as I came to a stop at the blue line.

Jace skated by me instead, giving me a wink, and when he got near the net, took his shot, waving his stick in the air to celebrate.

“Jace.” I removed my glove and motioned with my finger. “Come here.”

I needed to get my hands on him, and I couldn’t wait another second.

But my boyfriend loved nothing better than teasing me, skating slowly this time, coming towards me like he had all the time in the world. I pushed off and met him halfway, yanking on his jersey until there was no space between us, both of us panting and sweaty and with big fucking grins on our faces.

Right there, on the rink, under blinding fluorescent lights, and surrounded by air so cold you could see our breaths, I kissed Jace.

I forgot about where I was. Everything, except him.

I tasted his smile and there was nothing better.

“Rowland, Lund!” Coach’s voice suddenly rang out. “My office, now!”

Fuck.

We pulled apart and when I glanced around, Coach was standing on the other side of the boards, staring at us, his permascowl in place. He stalked off before I could think of something to say.

My first thought was,what the hell was Coach doing here on a Sunday morning? And then,shit,we’re in trouble.But, then again, we hadn’t done anything wrong.

Instead of freaking out, Jace and I skated off the ice and trudged down the hallway to Banning’s cramped, drafty office.

“Close the door,” Banning said as we entered.

“Look, Coach, we?—”

He shook his head, and I knew better than to say anything.

“I guess I don’t need to ask how the extra practice is going. Or, the fundraising event.”

Well, we did have work to do on the event. We’d been neglecting it, but we’d get to it.

Eventually. When we finally took our hands off each other.

I took a seat and rubbed my suddenly sweaty palms against my breezers. Oh man, this was more difficult than I thought. Coming out to myself was one thing, but saying it out loud?

“Jace and I are sleeping together.”

Once again, I was the master of subtlety.

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