Page 66 of Skating to Him

He scanned the menu, rubbing his chin. “What do you want to get? Do you want to share something?”

“Sure.” I peered at his menu over his shoulder. “There are a few crazy things on here. Like, who would eat macaroni and cheese on a pizza?” I chuckled. “Talk about carb loading.”

“We should try that the night before a game.” He wagged his brows. “But how about this one with the mozzarella, basil, and tomato?”

“Yeah, looks almost healthy.” I watched the bartender drop off our drinks, and then we ordered.

I sipped my lemonade. “So, tell me what to expect tomorrow.” I was having Thanksgiving with NHL players. I was still a little starstruck over it, especially meeting Jett Jarvis.

“I think Leo and Archer are coming over early in the morning to get the bird in the oven and start on the other food.” He drank some beer. “Do you…want to stay the night at my place?” He faced me.

“Do they all know about us already?” I worried my lower lip. Would he have told them?

“No, and Ace and Zoma left for Colorado Springs already. So, it’ll only be us and Myles at the house tonight. How do you want to handle this?” He grabbed my hand, resting on the bar.

“Let’s tell them as they arrive.” My heart filled with warmth. He’d been so patient with me. “I’m proud to be your boyfriend, Tyler.” And we’d have even more to celebrate.

“Good.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

My phone buzzed in the pocket of my backpack. “Hold on.” I fished it out and held it to my face. I didn’t recognize the number. “Student Health Services, maybe?” I let my lips curl and started the call. “Hello?”

“Hi, is this Rowan Mackenzie?” a female voice asked.

“It is.” My heart pattered into my throat. This was it. What if I had something? The weekend might be ruined.

“I’m Patty with ASU’s Student Health Services, and I have the results of the tests we did for you on Monday,” she said.

“Okay. Go ahead.” My gaze locked on Tyler’s, and I tensed my lips.

“Everything came back negative.”

Puffing out a breath, I smiled. “Okay, thanks so much.” Holy hell, was I relieved. I don’t know why though. It wasn’t like I was expecting to have picked up something. I’d been careful.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Nope. Thanks so much. Goodbye.” I hung up the call. I couldn’t wait to tell Tyler.

“Well?” He fixated on me. His phone rang on the bar top. “Fuck.” He answered the call. “Hello?”

I freed a soft snort. They were making their rounds and probably trying to get through it before the holiday. I picked up Tyler’s beer and sipped it. I needed a little something after that.

“Yeah.” Tyler peeked at me. “That’s great. Thank you.” A sly grin worked over his lips. “No questions. Goodbye.” He hung up his call. “Are we barebacking tonight?” He beamed at me.

“Looks like we are.” I lifted my lemonade to him. “I’ll pick up some champagne for us.”

“Oh, you’re going to make it romantic?” He tapped his glass on mine.

“I sure as hell am.” I drank my lemonade and set it down as the bartender brought us our pizza. This was going to be the best Thanksgiving I’d ever had.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m so glad we’re going to be together this weekend.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

TYLER

Isprinkled rose petals over my bed and readied a scented candle on my nightstand to be lit later on tonight. Yeah, I could be romantic too. And tonight would be the first time I’d ever made love—yes, we were making love—without a condom. I’d also prepped myself earlier, so I’d be ready.

Myles stopped in my doorway. “What in the world are you doing?” He stepped inside my room, covering his mouth with the back of his hand and sniggering.

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