Page 142 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“Easier said than done,” I replied.

He smacked the glove playfully against my naked chest. After his hand lingered a little longer than it should have, I felt another pair of eyes on me. I threw a glance over my shoulder to find Vinnie Petransky staring at me and Bennett through narrowed eyes. As a second-line goalie, he’d never been a fan of mine.

Immediately, I went on guard. A few of our teammates might’ve guessed Bennett and I were seeing each other, but we hadn’t come out and said anything officially. It wasn’t out of shame or any bullshit like that. It was more about wanting to keep our private life private. We weren’t talking about seeing Vivian either. Of course, our quad some was way more problematic than two dudes dating.

“You got a problem, Petransky?” I asked.

“I didn’t say anything,” he shot back.

“You didn’t have to. It’s written all over that fucking ugly mug of yours.”

Clapping his hand on my shoulder, Bennett warned, “Theo, don’t.”

With a sneer, Vinnie said, “That’s right. Get yourboyfriendin check.”

And there it was.

Bennie and I were officially outed. Some of the other guys stopped getting into uniforms to gawk at us. Most of them were freshman and sophomore second-liners. The guys we’d played with the longest appeared surprised, but their expressions weredifferent than Vinnie’s. I couldn’t blame them. It wasn’t like I wasn’t known for being a manwhore with women.

With a shark-like smile, I said to Vinnie, “I knew you were a second-line jackass, but I didn’t peg you for a homophobic cunt.”

This time Grayson stepped in front of me. “Let it go.”

“But he?—”

“Is a homophobic cunt who isnotworth fucking up your night over,” Grayson replied emphatically.

Jace Malone moved into my line of sight, blocking me from seeing Vinnie. “Listen to Gray, man.”

A shudder ran through me as I exhaled raggedly. “Just this once, Petransky.”

Silence hung heavy in the locker room as slowly everyone went back to their own business. “Uh, when did you stop banging chicks?” Jace asked in a low voice.

I snorted. “I haven’t.”

With creased brows, Jace glanced between me and Bennie. “But?—”

Winking, Bennett replied, “Let’s just say we’re together, but we’re still into pussy.”

“Specifically one that belongs to a very sexy redhead.”

At Bennie’s sharp intake of breath, Grayson’s eyes bulged. Fucking hell. I’d said too much. If anyone paid attention, they would’ve remembered Vivian being in the stands. My gaze flickered around us to see if anyone was listening.

Chuckling somewhat nervously, Grayson said, “You guys still jerking it to that redhead on the Hub?”

“Fantasy is perfectly healthy,” Bennie chimed in.

“Exactly,” I said.

Jace laughed. “I need her name. I fucking love redheads.” He wagged his brows. “Especially the natural ones.”

As I tensed at the thought of Jace lusting after Vivian, Bennie cleared his throat. “Another time. We need to hurry up. Coach will have our asses when he comes in and finds us not ready.”

Nodding, Jace went back to his locker. “You good?” Grayson asked.

That was a fucking loaded question. At my hesitation, Bennett said, “He will be when he gets on the ice.”

As I stared into his intense gaze, my heart overflowed with love. Just like Vivian, Bennett always saw right through me. And I fucking loved him for it.

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