Page 64 of Skating to Him

The next morning,after a round of satisfying blowjobs, I hit the shower first and started my morning routine.

His phone buzzed in the room.

“Hello?” Tyler asked.

After wrapping a towel around my hips, I spread hair paste on my palms and worked it into my hair as I stepped out of the bathroom. Who was calling him now? Was his mother all right?

“Hey, Dean. Good to hear from you. What’s up?” He flicked his gaze to mine, and a smile spread over his lips. “Yeah? That works.”

I watched him. He must be hearing from the Blackhawks. Anache played over my heart. What would our future look like? Did we have one? How the hell did other hockey players make this shit work?

With a frown, I ambled into the bathroom. Other hockey players were not dating hockey players. That’s how it worked. One of the parties involved ended up sacrificing for the hockey player and following them to whatever home base they played in.

Setting my hands on either side of the sink, I leaned in and looked at myself. Would I make a sacrifice for Tyler? He was the sure bet for the NHL, not me. How was it I was even entertaining these thoughts? I was not the same guy who came out here. That guy came here to be noticed by scouts, to be a better player.

Tyler rounded the corner into the bathroom with an open-mouthed smile. “Hey, babe. Guess what?” He threw his arms around my waist from behind and nuzzled behind my ear.

I put on a happy face. “Was that more info on Chicago?” I primped my hair.

“Yep. We’re working out the logistics for me seeing them over the Christmas break.” He met my gaze in the mirror. “I can’t believe I might play for the team I’ve been rooting for since I was a kid.”

“I can.” I grabbed his cheek, turned his head, and planted a quick kiss on his mouth. “I’m proud of you, babe. You’ve worked hard for this.” I parted my lips. When had we started calling each otherbabeoutside of sex? I’d never felt like calling someone that before. It felt natural with him. Holy fuck, I was in for it. Decisions to make and all that.

“Anyway, I’ll get in the shower now and we can hit the breakfast buffet.” He freed me, started the shower, and dropped his sweats to the floor.

At breakfast,I sat with Hodge on one side and Ace on the other at a large round table in a conference room. As I stuffed my fork into a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs, my gaze caught on Burns, eyeing me from the other side of the table, his curly brown hair falling over his blue eyes. After swallowing my eggs down with a gulp of orange juice, I said, “What?”

Ace stopped eating and looked from me to Burns.

“You and Tyler get any sleep?” He wiped his hand on a napkin and sniggered.

Hodge’s gaze cut to Burns. “Of course we did. Why wouldn’t we?” He pressed his lips together and scanned the room.

All the guys were minding their own business, eating and talking about the game to come. The coaches were seated way off in a corner, probably strategizing what game footage we’d watch today.

Cummings dropped in between Hodge and Burns with a full plate of pancakes and bacon. “Hey, guys. How did everyone sleep?” He threw a smile around the table.

“Great.” Hodge fixated on Burns. “Best sleep ever.” He set his fork on his plate, only a mound of fruit left on it.

Ace straightened his shoulders and set his fork on his plate of eggs and toast. “What’s going on here? We need a good D-line today, no bullshit.” He fixated on Burns.

“Nothing.” Burns pushed his eggs around his plate with his fork. “I don’t care, you know.” His gaze snapped to Hodge’s.

“Don’t care about what?” Hodge lifted his brows.

Did the guy know? How the hell would he though? We hadn’t made it obvious we were together, had we? I stared at Burns and then Hodge.

Burns slid his plate and chair closer to Hodge and leaned in. In a soft voice, he said, “I have the room next to you guys. Do you really think I didn’t hear what was going on over there?” A lopsided grin played over his mouth. “More power to ya for getting some on the road, but you better not let this thing”—he pointed his fork between us—“cause problems forthe team when Mackenzie gets back on the ice.” He snuck a glance toward the coaches’ table and leaned back into his seat.

Had we really been that loud? “Shit, what about Neuman?” I glanced his way.

“Naw, the guy fell asleep as soon as we were back in the room and could sleep through a freight train. You get me?” As his grin widened, he lifted his brows. “Just…don’t fucking lie to me.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “We have to be partners through tonight and next week’s game, right?”

“Yeah, we do.” Hodge hung his head and snuck a peek at me. He was waiting for me to say it.

“Yes, we’ve got something going on. Don’t worry. It won’t interfere with our game when I’m back on the ice.” I inhaled deeply. “I’m, uh, I’m bisexual.” There, I’d admitted it to a straight guy now. Or was he? I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did you like the show?” I chuckled.

“No.” As his cheeks flushed, he looked away for a beat, scoffing a laugh. “I had a feeling you two were getting cozy off the ice.”

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