Page 25 of Skating to Him

He lifted his chin. “You’re confused, and I’m already feeling things I shouldn’t. This needs to stop right here.” He shifted to face the foot of the bed and crossed his arms again. “I’m sorry, Rowan, but we should keep things in the friend zone.”

An ache prickled through my heart. What if he was my chance to find out about myself? What if he was the person I’d been missing in my life? Had I ruined everything? Dipping my head, I ran my fingers over the duvet. “Yeah, okay.” Bottom line, it wasn’t fair to him if I wasn’t sure.

“Okay.” He climbed off my bed and crept onto his own. “We should get some sleep.” He threw his covers down, slipped between his sheets, and looked at me. “Do you need any more help with the ice pack?”

“No, I’m good.” Except I wasn’t. This hurt. We’d started something, and now I didn’t know how to feel. Fuck the bruise. I picked up the ice pack, dropped it to the floor, and righted my pajama bottoms. How I was going to sleep tonight, I hadn’t a clue. I was going to think about this all night. I glanced his way.

He rolled over, his back to me. “Goodnight, Rowan.”

“Goodnight.” I turned off the light on the wall between us and lay on my side, my gaze landing on the ambient light glowing off his hair and the way his breathing lifted and lowered the covers. This sucked.

I rolledto my back and a heavy weight pressed over my hips and chest.

“Rowan,” Tyler whispered. Soft lips pushed against my own and friction rubbed against my aching cock.

“Tyler,” I mumbled. Had he changed his mind? Good…I wanted him so fucking bad.

He wrapped his forearms around my head, placing heated kisses over my lips.

Slanting my mouth, I flicked my tongue at his, tasting him fully, my dick hard and throbbing as pleasure shivered over me.

A moan worked free from his throat, and he writhed over me.

Music blared in my ears.

“Fuck.” I fluttered my eyes open to sunlight streaming through the center of the blackout blinds. “What the hell is that noise?” And what had I been dreaming about? If only it had been true.

“Sorry.” Tyler threw his arm out to the nightstand between us, tapped his phone, and sat up in bed. “Shit, it’s time to meet the team for breakfast already.” He slumped and groaned, his hair sticking out at odd angles.

I rubbed my eyes and attempted to focus on the room. I’d barely slept at all. I’d need a nice long nap today, if it was possible with all the shit my brain was processing.

“I’ll shower first, okay?” He flung his covers off and strode into the bathroom.

“O…kay.” Didn’t even wait for a response. Was this how it was going to be? I combed my fingers through my hair, attempting to tame it. I’d really fucked up last night.

After showering,I met with everyone in a large conference room converted into a breakfast buffet spread out on a long table at the wall. I scanned the room and found Tyler sitting at a large round table with Ace on one side and Myles on the other. The coaches were all huddled at their own table, probably strategizing.

Would he have said anything to them about my fuckup? Pressing my lips together, I strode to the buffet, grabbed a plate, and filled it with eggs, whole grain waffles with syrup, and fruit.Do I dare sit with them?

As I turned, Ace waved to me. “Over here, Mackenzie.” He patted the open spot next to him.

With an up-nod, I made my way to him and dropped in. “How’s everyone this fine morning?” Might as well pretend like nothing was wrong.

“Great, slept like a baby after talking to Zoma last night.” Ace, all smiles, poured coffee into a cup from a carafe on the table. “Here, have some coffee.” He slid it toward me.

“Thanks.” I poured creamer and sugar into my cup and stirred. I had yet to look at Tyler. Had he even noticed? “Zoma, is that the figure skater you met when you and Tyler did the volunteer work with the kids up at the Ice Den?”

“It is. We’re working things out.” Ace threw a look at Tyler and focused on me.

Tyler must have said something. I breathed in deeply. It was going to be a long day. “I’m glad for you, Ace.” I cut into a waffle and stuffed a bite into my mouth.

After sipping his orange juice, Tyler pushed a glass and a pitcher of OJ toward me. “You want some?”

“Of course.” I gave him my best fake smile. What was this, a peace offering? My gaze caught on Myles, biting the end off a sausage. “How did you sleep last night, Cummings?”

“Good. I’m still going to nap today though.” He flashed acheeky grin at me and glanced toward the coaching table. “How long do you think our team meeting will be today?”

“Too long.” I popped a piece of melon into my mouth. In fact, the whole day was going to seem too long. “It’ll be interesting to see what the coaches come up with for tonight, seeing as how we won last night.”

---