Page 42 of Skating to Him

After showingthe bouncer our IDs and strolling into the crowded bar, I scanned the area for my friends. Myles had texted to tell me they’d been waiting for us to do our celly shot. My gaze landed on Myles’s blond head of hair, and he was chatting up a dark-haired man who stood next to him. Leaning into Rowan, I pointed in his direction. “Myles is over there.”

“Oh.” He weaved through mostly men, the flashing lights lighting up his fluffy hair, and stopped beside Myles. Tagging Myles’s shoulder, he said, “Hey, man.”

With a wide grin, Myles twisted around. “Hey, you both made it. I was starting to wonder.” He arched a brow at me.

“Where are Ace and Zoma?” I swayed my head as I perused the place, the dancing men, some shirtless, others in crop tops and tight shorts. Funny, normally, I’d be scoping the guys out. Not tonight. My gaze wound to Rowan. No, tonight I had a guy who held my full attention.

“On the dancefloor.” Myles waved and lifted his chin. “I think they saw me. They’re coming back.” He dropped his arm. “We have to do our Fuck U of A shot.”

Rowan chuckled. “But we played Providence tonight.”

Giving Rowan’s shoulder a gentle slap, Myles said, “Doesn’t matter who we play, we always do this shot.”

As a grin crept over his lips, Rowan said, “Okay. Fuck U of A then.”

Ace and Zoma stepped up from behind us, and Ace said, “What did I miss?” Wrapping his arm around Zoma’s shoulder, his gaze darted from me to Rowan. “Hey, Rowan, this is my boyfriend Zoma.”

“Oh hi. You’re a figure skater, right?” Rowen held out his hand.

“I am. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve only heard good things.” Zoma shook Rowan’s hand.

Myles flagged down a burly and bare-chested bartender and ordered our shots.

“I’m thinking we should stick with a few beers tonight and not get those drinks we had last time.” I cocked a brow at Rowan. Because they’d fucked me up last time.

“Yeah, sure. Did you know having a beer or two the night before can be good for your game?” Rowan looked at each of us in turn.

“No, where’d you hear that?” Ace sniggered. “Is it some Boston hockey magic shit?”

“It’s true. As long as you hydrate properly.” He lifted his chin. “Beer has carbs and electrolytes and shit. Some runners I know have a beer or two the night before a big race, and they swear by it.”

“I don’t know about that.” Myles handed out our shots as the bartender dropped them off. “Here.”

I grabbed my shot from Myles, and Rowan did the same. One shot and one beer and then Gatorade when I got home.

We all held up our shots and, in unison, said, “Fuck U of A.”

I downed my shot, the sweet, cold liquid gliding down my throat, and planted my empty glass on the counter. “Okay, I’m ready for a beer now.” I made to wrap my arm around Rowan, then stopped. Shit, I had to watch myself.

“We’re going back to the dancefloor now.” Ace planted a kiss on Zoma’s lips and sauntered off with him.

“I ordered us each a beer.” Myles threw a shit-eating grin at me and then Rowan. “The hot guy you hooked up with a few weeks ago is here, Ty.”

“Yeah?” Fuck, why now? As I peeked at Rowan, who was watching me, I tensed my jaw. I had to pretend to be interested. “Where?”

The bartender set down our beers, and we paid for them.

Rowan picked up his drink. “Yeah, Myles, where is this hot guy Tyler hooked up with?” He took a step away from me.

“Over there.” He ticked his head. “Looks like he’s coming this way.”

My gaze caught on the guy, tall, dark hair, and muscled. Fuck, what was his name again? I’d never gotten his number. It was only a hookup, and neither of us had wanted more.

As a sly grin stretched over his mouth, Tall and Handsome stopped at me. “Hey, Tyler, wasn’t it?” He looked Myles and Rowan over. “Joel.” He shook each of their hands.

“Hi, Joel.” Rowan gave him a thin-lipped smile. “I’m Rowan.”

“And I’m Myles. I don’t think we actually met when we were all here last.” Myles picked up a beer as the bartender set them all down and slid one to Myles and one to me.

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