Page 69 of Voices

“My hoodie looks good on you, beautiful.”

Chapter Twenty

Shane

Iwatch as Charlie’s cheeks turn a pretty pink color before I pull my hand back and head down the tunnel.

“There’s our love-struck captain!” Matt calls as I step into the locker room raising cat calls from some of the guys. I smile as I head to my locker. “Any plans with a shy little twink tonight?” He waggles his brows as I take my shoulder pads off. He’s already down to his base layer like most of the guys.

“He’s meeting me outside so I’m taking that as a good sign that he’ll spend the rest of the night with me.”

I get down to my compression shorts before I feel someone at my back. Turning, I come face to face with a pissed-off Benji. He folds his arms over his puffed-up chest. I raise an eyebrow in question as I wrap a towel around my waist before pulling my shorts off. He’s still standing there when I turn for the showers.

“Can I help you?”

He looks me up and down before stepping up to me. He’s a little shorter than me but he still tries to look down his nose, trying to intimidate me. Jokes on him though because I don’t care what he has to say. I go to step around him, but he sidesteps into my path.

“What do you want, Alexander? I have shit to do and I would like to shower.”

His nostrils flare as he squints at me. “What do you want with Charlie?” he growls.

I tilt my head trying to figure out why he cares. “I can hang out with whoever I want. What’s it to you? It’s not like youactually care about him, do you?” I don’t stick around for his answer as a look of shock crosses his face.

I make quick work of the shower, scrubbing every trace of sweat off me. As I step out of the shower area, I hear Benji telling everyone about the room his father has for us at the Lex Hotel downtown. It’s one of the largest business hotels in Chicago that’s known for hosting celebrity parties. I roll my eyes as I walk past him and keep my back to him as I get dressed. Ryder has the locker next to mine and is sitting on the bench giving me a questioning look. I know he enjoys the lavish lifestyle.

“You and the guys should go. I’m not that interested in spending my night getting dirty looks thrown my way. Plus, I’m sure his dad will notice if all four of us are missing. Tell him I had a family thing and couldn’t make it if he asks.” Ryder nods and pats me on the shoulder as Matt walks up.

“You guys ready to go get our grub on? I’m so hungry I think I might order the Tomahawk steakandeat it all!” He licks his lips.

Asher comes over shaking his head at Matt. He points back and forth between himself and Matt then signs the word split.

“What? You don’t want to rub my overstuffed belly tonight while I cry in pain?” He elbows Ash.

Asher just looks at him like the weirdo he is.

“Fiiiine. We’ll split it but I get to pick the sides.” Asher nods in agreement and then looks at me.

“I’m stepping out on this one. You guys go ahead.”

He lifts his brow as he signs Charlie with his right hand. I smile and nod. He nods back and grabs Matt by the arm and heads to the door, Ryder following behind.

I finish getting dressed, grab my hockey bag, and pocket my phone and keys. As I walk out, my heart sinks when I don’t see Charlie waiting. I pull out my phone to text him but as I get closer to the doors that lead outside, I see a familiar form leaningagainst the wall in a black Gannon U hockey hoodie with the hood up. He looks like he’s tracing the pattern in the tile with the toe of his shoe, so I step into its path causing him to stop short. As he lifts his head, his beautiful golden-brown eyes meet mine along with a small smile.

“Hey, beautiful.” I step up and cradle his smooth face in my hands. “I’ve missed you this week. I’m happy you came tonight. That last goal was for you.” He still has purple under his eyes, but he looks better than he did last night.

“I have no idea what was happening most of the game,” he says shyly. “But I watched you the whole time, even when you weren’t on the ice. It made being around so many people a little easier.” Slowly, he reaches out to my hoodie pocket and pulls me closer so I’m shielding him from people walking by. Looking up into my eyes, he licks his lips. He looks at mine as I do the same then returns to my eyes.

“Kiss me, Charlie,” I whisper.

He lifts onto his tiptoes and little by little brings his lips to mine. He uses my hoodie as leverage to bring him closer. His lips are chapped so I lick them causing him to gasp. My tongue dives in and explores his mouth as I lower my hand to his ass and bring him even closer so he can feel what he’s doing to me. He lets out a cute little whimper when I grind my aching length into his hip. So, I do it again and again, getting lost in the kiss that’s all Charlie.

The locker room door bangs open snapping us out of our kiss. We’re both breathless as he lowers to his feet. When he hears voices getting closer, he buries his face in my chest and curls his shoulders up to his ears. I kiss the top of his hood.

“Let’s get out of here,” I say once they pass and nobody else is in the hall. He looks up at me and nods. I grab his hand and lace our fingers as we head to my truck. I help him up with a very necessary ass grab, enjoying the hell out of his flushedcheeks. When I get behind the wheel, I see him looking around nervously at the guys in the parking garage.

“Your place or mine?”

“Yours,” he says ducking down when Benji walks out.

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