Page 144 of Voices

Feisty Pants: I’ll be there!

Putting my phone back on the charger, I move Charlie up my chest so his head is on my shoulder. His warm puffs of air hit my lips as I drop a soft kiss on his cracked lips.

“I’ll never let him hurt you again, beautiful.”

His lips twitch as he mumbles something incoherent.

I spend the next however many minutes watching him sleep, tracing his freckles until my eyes drift closed.

We just shut out the Hawthorne Rams in our final game before winter break. It was one of the most fun games I’ve played in a while. I’m not sure if their goalie was off his game or what but he let in four goals in the first period. Then another two in the second and by the time the horn sounded at the end of the third, we won eight to zero! It’s the highest-scoring game I’ve ever been a part of, and we all had a blast skating circles around them.

I have a huge smile on my face asI’m Shipping Up to Bostonblasts from the stadium’s speakers. I look up into the stands and see Lily jumping up and down with a girl I don’t recognize with Noah standing next to them cheering. I move over to the aisle seat and see my beautiful boy still sitting but he has a bright smile across his face as our eyes meet.

I pull my gloves off and make a heart with my hands. I hold them up and look through them at him. He flushes bright red and ducks his head. I chuckle as I skate to the bench and fist-bump the guys as they walk down the tunnel to the locker room.

As the last guy walks by, I turn and look up at Charlie who’s already watching me. I wink before heading into the tunnel.

I make quick work of showering and changing, ready to spend the night with Charlie and the guys.

“So are we doing pizza, tacos, big ass subs…” Matt names off food as we walk towards the parking garage.

“I was thinking we could try that new Italian place that opened a few days ago. I plan on stuffing my face with as much as I can before we have to return to ‘eating clean’.” Ryder air quotes the last part.

I can’t help but snort at him because I do all the cooking, and I know damn well that my ‘clean eating’ tastes great and fills him up.

“Fuuuck,” Matt drags out. “Chicken Alfredo with a loaf of warm bread sounds like heaven right about now.”

They keep talking about what they’re going to eat as I look around for Charlie. I spot him leaning against the passenger side door of my truck, looking down, kicking around a few small rocks.

When my shoes come into view, he lifts his head. His eyes are as beautiful as ever, the gold flecks bright against the lighting. His face lights up right before I smash my lips to his. He sucks in a breath as I push him up against the door. I push my tongue past his lips as I slide my leg between his, rubbing my thigh against his growing erection. A low groan rumbles from deep in his throat.

“I’m not gay but fuck, that’s hot,” Matt says from behind me.

Charlie drops his head to my chest and laughs.

Turning to Matt, I lift my brow. “You sure you aren’t bi,” I tease.

He tilts his head and actually thinks about it for a minute.

“Well, I mean my dick did twitch a little. But I don’t want to be fucked..in..the..ass…” He drifts off in thought before finishing his sentence.

Ryder bursts out laughing before he pushes a dazed Matt into the back seat. Ash stands back with his arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head.

I look back down at Charlie who’s trying to hold back laughter.

“Your friends are so weird,” he chuckles.

I shrug and smirk at him. “Eh, they have their moments but they’re the best friends I’ve ever had.”

Charlie smiles at that but I can see sadness in his eyes.

“They’re your friends too, baby. We stick together no matter what.”

He nods before standing on his toes and kissing me. Dropping back down, he laughs when we hear Ryder and Matt yelling at us to get in so they can eat.

“Better get in before they start eating your truck.”

Charlie’s leg is bouncing a mile a minute as I drive all of us up the winding entrance to F. Lex Hotel. It’s a massive luxurious hotel that rivals the Four Seasons in Chicago. It’s the biggest hotel Charlie’s dad owns in the US, so it makes perfect sense that this is where Franklin sets up the Christmas dinner every year.

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