Page 20 of Skating to Him

Nodding, I looked him over as if seeing him for the first time. There was so much more to him than the fluffy head of hair and adorable freckles. My gaze caught on my hand, resting on hisabs, and then my body pressed into his side. Heat prickled over my skin and shivered up my spine. I was practically on top of him. Could be if I moved just a little bit.And we were in bed together.“Um…” My cock woke and swelled. Rolling to my back, I threw my legs over the side of the bed and stood. “Hey, so we have shit to do and, uh…” I combed my bangs off my forehead.

“Oh, yeah, you’re right.” He shimmied to the end of the bed, rose, and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you all right? I mean really.”

“Yes, I’m okay. I’m over the initial shock.” I planted my hands on my hips, my gaze dashing from his bed to mine. What just happened? How had I ended up in bed with him?

“Tyler, what’s going on in your head?” He turned me to face him. “Talk to me.”

Bracing myself, I forced my gaze to his and butterflies took flight in my stomach. “I’m just processing it all.” And Iwasn’tfalling for Rowan. Just because he was there for me did not mean we were anything more than friends. But did straight guys comfort each other like we just had? “Thanks for being here.” I gave him a brief hug. “It means a lot to me.”

He rolled his lips, his gaze dragging over the dingy hotel carpet. “Anytime. I want to be there for you.” His gaze snapped to mine. “I’m okay with…you know.” He ticked his head at the bed. “If you’re sad or need to talk, I’m here.”

“Thank you.” My gaze lingered on the pout of his lips. But if we’d stayed on the bed any longer, I might have made a huge mistake. And right now, I was confused as fuck on top of trying to process my mom’s new diagnosis.

He clapped his hands. “Okay, nap then.” He bent to throw his bag off his bed and moved his suit onto a corner of it.

My gaze was glued to his round ass, only covered by thin sweats, my cock lengthening in an instant. Oh fucking hell. Didn’t want him to see my semi. Clenching my jaw, I worked my suit out of my bag, held it in front of me, and strode to the closet to hang it up. After, I ducked into the bathroom. As I shut thedoor and flicked on the light, my gaze landed on the mirror. Why was all this happening at once?

With a long exhale, I hung my head and covered my face with my palms. It was almost too much. How the hell was I going to keep my head in the game tonight? I’d have Ace and Myles out there with me. And I’d have Rowan by my side. I had to keep my feelings in check.

After a moment, I took a piss and washed my hands.

A knock sounded on the door. “Hey, you all right in there?”

“I’m good.” I popped the door open and forced a smile. There. I’d at least look like I was okay.

He eyed me. “Cool.” Holding up his toothbrush and toothpaste, he said, “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” I stepped aside and out into the room. We’d get ready for a good nap and act like everything was normal between us. Not like he’d been cuddling me on my bed after I’d lost it.

An hourbefore we had to leave for our game, I was walking through the hotel with Ace and Myles. I hadn’t told them about my mom yet and wasn’t sure when I would. After thinking about it, if I stank tonight, I didn’t want anyone blaming it on Mom’s illness. I didn’t know why, but in my head, it would be like blaming her for telling me and would only make things worse. I glanced out the glass doors of the hotel into the front courtyard and the park across the street. All the leaves were yellow, red, and orange. I missed the changing of the leaves in Chicago. But the winters could go fuck themselves. I smirked.

“You don’t seem like yourself. What’s up?” Myles grabbed my hand and stopped in the middle of the lobby.

“What do you mean?” I faced him. Of course, Myles could tell. He knew me better than anyone.

“You’ve been quiet.” He arched a brow. “Something didn’t happen between you and Mackenzie, did it?”

With an open-mouthed smirk, Ace came in close. “Did it?”

I scoffed and tore my hand free, turning around and rubbing my neck. “No, it didn’t.” Or did it?

“Then why can’t you look at us? He’s not around.” Ace grabbed my arm and twisted me to face them again. “Tyler, what the hell?”

“Nothing happened.” I opened my mouth, and my phone buzzed in my pocket. Was it Mom? “Shit.” I ripped it out and fumbled with it, almost dropping it.

The screen lit up with Dean Wilson. “It’s my agent. Hold on.” I held up a finger to them, and they both turned and looked at each other. I started the call and strolled toward the glass doors. “Hey, Dean. What’s up?” I shared Dean with my brother. My dad had set us up when we were in juniors.

“I’ve got a scout coming to see you tonight.” He huffed a laugh. “You’ll never guess who with.”

“Uh, the Coyotes?” That would be uncanny to be playing with Mason and Archer again. I gazed at the fluffy clouds throwing long shadows over the colorful fall leaves in the early evening light.

“Nope. Blackhawks. What do you think about that?”

“Really?” My favorite team? Dad would shit himself. My chest stung. My home base would be with Mom and Dad. “I love it.”

“I thought you would. I’ve already talked to the coaches, and he’s coming to your hotel for a meet and greet in about a half hour. Go put a suit on and look professional.” He chuckled. “Be the star player I know you are tonight, and we’ll see what happens.”

“Fantastic. Thanks so much.” My pulse raced along with my thoughts. Now I had even more pressure on me tonight.

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