Page 93 of Skating to Him

“Angel’s Envy.” He sipped his drink. “I saw a commercial for it during a Bruins game and decided to try it.” He shrugged a shoulder.

Aaron hovered around the room and then pulled a chair from a small table in the corner and brought it over to sit.

“So, Tyler, tell us about yourself. We already know your brother is an NHL player and your dad is a coach?” She cocked her head, focusing on Tyler.

“Yep. I was home with my brother Nathan, and we got to skate a little bit.” With a glance at me and a chuckle, Tyler said, “He’s always fun to skate with. He plays defense too, so he always has new things for me to try.”

“So when he comes home, he coaches you?” Dad threw an arm over the back of the couch, loosely crossing his legs.

“I wouldn’t say he’s coaching me, but he gives me pointers. He’s always learning new things, being in the NHL, and he passes those along to me when he can.” He sipped his bourbon. “We’ve always been close.” He huffed a soft chuckle. “Well, I’ve always looked up to him.”

I glanced at Aaron. Did he look up to me? Would he if he knew the truth about Tyler and me?

“How is your mother doing, Tyler? Rowan tells me she was diagnosed with MS recently.” Mom smoothed the blanket over her legs.

“She’s doing okay with it. I won’t lie. It was hard at first for all of us. We didn’t know what it entailed.” With a heavy swallow,Tyler snuck a glance at me. “I’m sorry you had a flare-up over the holidays. That’s got to be tough.”

“It is. But we’re getting through it, aren’t we, boys?” She flicked her gaze at each of us. “I have a good support system. It’s what you need to get through it.” A soft smile floated over her mouth.

“We love you, Ma.” Aaron walked to Mom, kissed her cheek, and then headed back to his chair.

As her grin widened, she faced Tyler. “You know, Rowan was really looking forward to playing with you this year.”

“Yeah, he told me that.” As he fingered his bourbon glass, his cheeks flushed, and he peeked at me. “He’s a good D-man, and I’m sure he’ll find a home in the NHL after this season.”

“Oh, he will?” Dad lifted his brows and shifted in his seat. “You know something we don’t?”

“Uh…” He chewed his upper lip. “No, but with Dean as his agent, I’m sure something will come up.” With a knowing grin, he nodded slowly.

“Thank you for that, by the way.” Dad tipped the bourbon in his glass, eyeing it, then sipped it.

“You’re very welcome.” Tyler glanced out the picture window at the darkening yard. “What are we doing for dinner tonight?”

“We were going to order in.” With a soft snort, Aaron said, “We’re all sick of leftovers and cooking. What sort of food do you like?”

“I’ll eat just about anything.” Tyler drank the rest of his bourbon down. “But I’ve heard fried clams or lobster rolls are the thing to eat around here.”

“Oh, hell yes.” Aaron stood. “There’s a place around the corner that’s on DoorDash. We’ll order from there.” He slipped his phone out of his pocket.

“That does sound delicious.” Mom gave Tyler a warm smile.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

TYLER

After eating dinner, Sharon went back to bed while John worked, and I watched a movie with the three Mackenzie brothers. They were a really close-knit group. Around midnight, everyone went to bed. After brushing my teeth, I padded to my room in my pajama bottoms.

My phone buzzed on the dresser, and I picked it up. I knew who it was.

Rowan

You can come into my room now. No one will bother us.

My dick perked up. We hadn’t been together in so long…I opened the door to my room and peeked up and down the hallway, a soft glow coming from a couple of nightlights stuck low on the walls. Padding into the hallway, I stopped at Rowan’s room. The door gave a small creak as it opened. “Fuck,” I whispered and looked around me.

“Come here.” Rowan opened the door, stepped aside as I crept in, and then shut the door behind us, locking it. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Cupping my cheeks, he claimed my mouthin hungry kisses, his half-hard cock brushing against mine through the thin fabric of our pajamas.

Sensation shivered over my skin, and my breath quickened. Holy hell, did I want him. After seeing him with his family and how loving they all were, it only made me want him more.

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