Page 102 of Skating to Him

“Yeah, well, we know a good D-man when we see one.” Tyler patted me on the back. “Come on, let’s eat the rest of our breakfast.” He made his way to his chair and sat.

Aaron held up his fist to Tyler. “You da bomb, man.”

“Thanks.” Tyler fist-bumped him.

“I’d like to thank you and your family, Tyler. Maybe a set of tickets to the next Blackhawks game?” Dad sipped a cup of coffee.

“I’m sure my parents would love that.” Tyler’s gaze slid tomine, and he covered my hand in his as I sat next to him. “But you don’t have to. Like I said, they know a good D-man when they see it and they wouldn’t have backed Rowan like this unless they believed in him as much as I do.”

“Well, I’ll still send them some tickets. Box seats, maybe?” Dad grinned at Tyler and then me. “I’m proud of you, son.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m sure, together, we’ll show ’em how a real D-line plays.” My chest swelled with emotion. Who’d have thought last year that I’d be in this position?

“Damn right, we will.” Tyler cut some pancakes and stuffed them into his mouth.

On New Year’s Eve,we checked into the hotel I’d booked and met Teddy on the South End at a smaller gay bar with a creative atmosphere and fancy cocktails. The place had already been popping when we got there around nine, and we’d perched ourselves on a lime-green sofa set against white subway tiles away from most of the crowd and noise. A white ceramic deer head adorned with antlers hung on the wall above us. We’d been dancing and drinking champagne most of the night. Our injuries from the fight were pretty well cleared up. We both still had some swelling and bruising, but some of Mom’s makeup had helped us look better for tonight.

As my gaze found Tyler’s, I picked up his hand and squeezed it while colored lights and the steady thump of music filled the air. “I’m pretty sure I’m about to have the best year of my life with you.” I sipped from a champagne flute.

“Yeah?” His lips quirked in a sexy smile. “Me too.” He leaned into my side, dipping his head. “After we have the best night of our lives.”

“Cheers to that.” He tapped his glass against mine, which was resting on the table. “You think Teddy’s going to hook upwith the guy he’s been dancing with all night?” He sipped his drink.

“Oh, hell yes.” I nodded. Teddy had found a bear who was just his type. We weren’t going to see him any time soon. “It’s going to be a little weird when we get back to Arizona. It feels like so much has changed since we left.”

“It has.” He pressed a soft kiss on my mouth. “I can’t wait to tell the squad about all of this.”

“Yeah…I’ve really enjoyed those guys. I’m going to miss them next year.” I slid my phone out of my pocket to check the time. “Shit, we’ve only a got a few minutes before midnight.” How had the time passed so quickly?

He twisted to face me on the couch and hooked his arms around my neck. “Rowan, I’m so happy Coach put us together and saw something in us we hadn’t.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’m glad I took a chance on you too.”

“You know you can always count on me, babe.” I kissed him softly.

The music stopped, and the whole bar erupted in counting. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…”

Gazing deeply into his eyes, I said, “Five, four, three, two, one. I love you, babe.”

The bar filled with people singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

“Love you too.” Tyler grabbed the back of my head and claimed me in a heated kiss. When he finally broke it, he said, “Let’s say our goodbyes to Teddy and get out of here. We have a hotel room to debauch.”

“That we do.” I sucked down the rest of my drink and stood, scanning the dancefloor, my gaze landing on Teddy, who was making out with his bear. “Maybe we should text him and not bother him.” I chuckled.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

TYLER

Iscampered after Rowan down the hotel hallway, laughing. This was indeed going to be my best year, and I couldn’t wait to share it with him.

Rowan stopped at our door, holding the keycard to the lock. As it clicked, he flung the door open. “God, it feels like forever since we’ve fucked.”

“Shh.” I shut the door. “The whole hotel just heard that.” I strode to him, unzipping my jacket and peeling it off.

“So? What do I care? It’s true.” He came at me, grabbed both my cheeks, and devoured my mouth in heated kisses, groaning and grinding his half-hard cock against mine through our jeans. “Who’s fucking who tonight?” With a sly grin, he released me and stepped backward to the bed.

My gaze flicked around the beige room with navy-blue accents and the city lights outside the windows beyond the bed. It was way better than most of the hotel rooms we’d stayed in on the road. He’d done well and had planned this all for me.

“Hey, Tyler, I asked you a question.” He dropped his jeans and briefs and stepped out of them, then unbuttoned his shirt and left it open. As he palmed his swollen cock, he flicked his tongue at the corner of his mouth.

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