Page 6 of The Puck Daddy

I arch a curious eyebrow. “Are you high?”

His smile stays in place, and even though his pretty blue-gray eyes seem to sparkle, they seem clear. There’s a faint scent of vodka combined with the citrusy scent of his cologne, but I don’t actually get the impression he’s high or drunk.

“Nah, not high,” he replies. “Just happy. Surprised, but happy.”

I’m about to ask him to explain when music pours from the open door, breaking the spell between us. Tate Rizzo, DeLuca’steammate, saunters outside, his arm wrapped around one of the puck bunnies who was hanging out with the redhead.

Not missing a thing, Rizzo’s gaze bounces between DeLuca and me. “Ah, Adrian. There you are. I’ve been looking for you. Turns out you have a fan.”

“Hi.” The puck bunny gives Adrian a flirty smile, and I stand, suddenly feeling out of place.

“Why, hello there,” DeLuca greets her from his position on the floor. If I’m not mistaken, the girl practically swoons at the tone in his voice. And if I’m being honest, so do I. It’s musical and light, seductive. Something about it reminds me of some paranormal creature, like a vampire or Fae. Fucking hell. What was in my gummies?

“My name is Judy. I’m a huge fan of yours, Adrian.”

Rizzo nudges her forward a step, causing her to giggle and blush. “I tried buying a drink for our new friend here, but Judy seems to be saving herself for you, Adrian.”

She bites her lip, and I have to admit it’s not as charming as the way Adrian did just moments before. “I wanted to ask you if the rumors were true,” she says. “Are you really gay?”

I roll my eyes. Dear Lord, I don’t miss the puck bunnies.

Adrian chuckles. “They aren’t rumors.”

I have to hand it to the kid; he’s not only more talented, but he’s also braver than I was at his age. Technically, I still haven’t come out as gay to the public. And here is this twenty-two-year-old announcing his sexual orientation before he’s even signed.

From his kneeling position, Adrian’s pretty, large eyes sweep up my body. It’s as if time stands still. I’m lost in that gray gaze, captivated. Frozen in place. The fact he’s kneeling and looking up at me in that sweet way has my cock jerking and my jeans growing tight.

My gaze sweeps down to his flushed cheeks and over to his plush lips. Adrian’s stare drops to my groin, proving that he isn’t a kid at all. I fight the urge to cover up my half chub so I don’t bring more attention to it.

“Oh yeah,” Adrian breathes. “I’m definitely gay.”

Chapter 4

Oh god. He is flirting with me.

Adrian

Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy freaking shit.

Theo Walsh is here. Wearing a tight-as-sin leather jacket and a yummy-as-fuck pair of jeans that cup his ass perfectly.

Theo is here, at this bar. He’s here, and he’s real. That famousCasablancaquote unexpectedly pops into my head.“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world…”

Another bout of laughter escapes my lips, and I clap my hand over my mouth. Damn. He really is going to think I’m high.

Theo arches a thick, sexy brow. “What’s so funny?” His intense stare completely shatters my fleeting confidence. In an instant, I go from feeling like a self-assured twenty-two-year-old hockey player to feeling like a shy thirteen-year-old meeting his idol for the first time.

“What’s funny?” I wave a hand in the air. “Oh, nothing. I blame Felix for making me watchCasablancawith him last week. He’s into the classics. But then you were here in front of me. At this bar.” I stare at his hands while I ramble on.

It’s only then do I realize I’m still kneeling in front of him like a freaking weirdo.Oh fuck.My face flushes with nerves and embarrassment.

“Casablanca.” Theo clears his throat. “Right. I’d better get back inside. My break’s over.” He walks away before I can say anything else to embarrass myself.

Damn. He’s even sexier now than he was five years ago. He might look a little different, but I’ve been following him and his career since he was a rookie. I’d recognize Theo anywhere. Wavy red curls and all.

Rizzo detaches himself from the redhead’s side. What was her name again? Judy?

“Well, that was awkward, to say the least,” Rizzo snickers.

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