Page 5 of Pucked-Up Roommate Deal

I rolled my shoulders as the car pulled up to the valet circle and stopped before the modern brass and glass canopy that curved over the walkway to the entrance. My hand tightened on Nash’s, and to my surprise, he grasped back with equal force.

“Ready to do this?” I asked as my driver rounded the car. “You look fucking fantastic, by the way. I’m a lucky asshole to be going home with you tonight.”

“Porter—” he started.

“I know, I know. But let a guy have his delusions for the night.”

“Whatever,” he laughed, the chuckle tight with nerves. “Technically it’s true. To a point.”

To a point. Yeah. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be taking advantage of making this show look like the real deal tonight.

The door beside me opened and I stepped out, buttoning my tux coat as I straightened. Turning, I held a hand toward Nash. Ignoring it, he stepped out beside me and mirrored my motion in fasting his suit coat button. He looked around as I flattenedmy hand in the middle of his back and guided him away from the car.

I supposed it was a stunning sight. Though the club was funded by old money, this part of the place, rented out for receptions and large parties, was ultra modern—all glass and brass and steel. Built at the precipice of a hill, it looked out over the grounds like a castle of old. Through the huge windows on this side, I could see people milling around. The other side had a wide balcony that ran the length of the building and had an open bar. There would be one inside too, and I was glad. I’d need one.

An attendant opened the door for us. I took his hand again, leading him inside. I suspected if I didn’t, he’d remain frozen on the deep blue all-weather carpet beneath the entry canopy.

“This is…something,” Nash murmured, looking around like a tourist in New York. In awe. Overwhelmed. A complete fish out of water.

I shrugged. I supposed the club’s new venue was better than the building that had been razed to build this complex. Call me a spoiled rich kid, but usually, to tell the truth, I barely noticed the marvel of architecture. Most of the time, I wasn’t here by choice, so I resented all of it.

“You want a drink before my family descend on us?” I asked.

He took a bracing breath, nodding slightly as he inhaled. “Yeah. Will you order for me? I don’t know what kind of stuff they have and I don’t want to embarrass myself—or you.”

“Just regular bar drinks, same as anyplace near campus.”

“Right,” he scoffed. His gaze scanned around to make a point. “I’m guessing they don’t have any sort of light beer.”

“Sweetheart, no place on the planet should have light beer.” To my satisfaction, his eyes flared slightly when I called him that, his pupils dilating. I heard him take another slow breath as he dipped his head forward. Though he’d never admit it, Nash enjoyed when I called him that. He feltsomethingwhich…surprised me, and I wanted to explore it. But this wasn’t exactly the place.

Didn’t mean I wouldn’t push a few boundaries. Hell, that was a trait that made me a sought after winger on the ice.

“I’ll get you a Jack and Coke.” I raised an eyebrow at him, letting go of his hand to skim my fingers along his arm. “Light on the Jack?”

He nodded, looking relieved. I knew he didn’t drink much, another thing I thought harkened back to his father. Maybe, he’d tell me someday if this fake-date deal didn’t screw up things between us.

Which was my biggest fear in this whole thing. My only fear. Admittedly, that was strange, since this whole ruse could blow up in my face if we got found out. My parents had come to terms with my being gay years ago. Their associates, while more judgmental, “overlooked” it. They would not overlook being lied to.

That was a worry for another day. Tonight, I had Nash on my arm, and if he seemed uncomfortable, that could be put down to being unaccustomed to this setting with its glitz and glamor and overt wealth. Hell, after weeks on college life, stepping back into this sometimes startled me.

I leaned in, my hand curling on his waist, my lips near his ear. I knew to a casual observer it would appear as if I were kissing Nash’s temple. Fine. Perfect. If only it were true, because my stirring dick sure wanted it to be.

“I’ll be right back. Find a table and don’t get lost—or run away.” I winked and nodded to a couple vacant high-tables near the wall. After he turned that way, I headed toward there the inside open bar where I continued to keep an eye on him.

Fuck, Nash was hot. I mean…I lived with him. I’d noticed how handsome he was, but tonight with his new haircut and in that tux? I’d have to beat away my cousins. Those girls would be drawn to him like flies to honey. And Nash sure was sweet—on the surface. Like his history with his dad, I suspected something darker lingered beneath the surface. Not evil or bad, just some trauma that had helped to mold him into the quiet man he was now.

That was all my psychology classes speaking. Yeah, I was at Rustin University for hockey, but I’d also be graduating this year with a phys ed bachelor of science and a minor in psych. And Nash, he was smart as fuck, but he had some shit he kept hidden.

I sighed as the guy in front of me hemmed and hawed about what fucking wine to order. Pussy. And three of my cousins closed in on Nash. Fucking hell.

“Get the damn Riesling,” I growled. “Some of us have things to do.” I looked over his shoulder at the bartender. “I’m gonna want a whiskey and rye and a Coke with barely any Jack.”

Five

Nash

“And who areyou?I haven’t seen you before, and I would definitely remember someone as hot as you,” a woman asked, all breathy and suggestive, as she and her girl posse closed in on me. I took a step backward, but my back hit the wall with a soft thud where I waited next to one of the tall tables for Porter to get back to me. I should have gone with him

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