Page 10 of Heart of Ice

“You’re lucky it didn’t do more damage to the ligament. I’m almost positive it’s just bruised, but it will be painful for a while. And just so you know, if there was an alternative for tomorrow’s game, I’d suggest you take the night off. But we both know that’s not going to happen.”

“I have to play,” I whispered knowing how weak it sounded. I’d worked to get to this point for years, and I wasn’t going to let the chance go without a fight. “It’s really not that bad.”

“Max, if you’re not careful it could cause you more pain in the future. It’s your choice to play or not, but if it’s still as painful tomorrow I’d suggest you take a night off.” He stood then and shoved his hands in his pockets as the heat that had simmered between us died. Drawing in a deep breath, he started to speak, but I cut him off.

“Don’t go. Please stay here with me. We don’t have to do anything. But I would appreciate it if you did whatever will make my leg better by tomorrow,” I said and reached for him.

He stood a moment and seemed to consider my words before sitting next to me on the bed. “Well, since I know for a fact you won’t take care of yourself, I guess it is my duty to make sure you’re doing what you need to do. Part of which is to get a good night’s sleep.” He reached across to me and took a pillow from the other side of the bed before pulling the blankets down. “Put this under your knee, it’ll help.”

I snuggled into his side when he sat next to me. “Thank you. Sorry if I came on a little strong earlier.”

He crossed his legs while he stretched out on the bed, before smoothing my hair back. “You didn’t do anything I didn’t want you to, and please don’t think I’m not interested. But I’d feel like shit if I didn’t make sure I did all could to help you recover.”

“Maybe we can put a pin in it and come back to it?” I asked, repeating something my dad used to say.

He smirked at me before leaning in for a soft kiss. “I like that idea.” He slipped off his shoes I hadn’t realized he still had on and relaxed a little more.

“You have to be tired too,” I said.

“A little. Tonight was intense. It’s so different being the one making all the decisions instead of the one carrying them out,” Ruben said.

“It looked like you’d done it before. You seemed very comfortable.”

“Nah, I’m good at faking it. When I told you I’d been an intern for the last team I wasn’t kidding. I was there to learn, and it wasn’t hockey, it was a local soccer team, and nothing like this. Plus, I’m still learning what injuries will be common in hockey.”

“We both had firsts tonight. This was the first time I’ve played in a semi-pro hockey game, and that was only because the other two goalies were out with injuries.” I thought back on the day and how it had all been hectic and intense, but also exciting and new. “It’s also the first time I tried to hit on the team doctor.”

“Well, it’s also the first time I’ve had a hockey player hit on me. Lots of firsts.”

“Lots of firsts,” I repeated and snuggled in even closer to him while being careful not to hurt my leg.

Ten

Ruben

I awoke just beforedawn with a neck ache and the press of another body wedged against me in a room I didn’t recognize. “Good morning,” Max mumbled next to me. He was sleep rumpled, his hair all over the place, but still just as cute as he’d been last night.

“How’s the knee?” I asked and was happy to see his leg was still on the pillow I’d placed under it and the latest ice pack was in place. He stretched it before bending it and looking at me.

“Better. I guess you were right,” he said.

“I guess I was. Hey, Max, about last night—” I’d never been one to shy away from tough conversations, but I wasn’t sure where we were going with this, and I didn’t want either of us to make a choice that would cost one of us his career.

“Ruben, it’s okay. If we’re meant to hook up it’ll happen,” he said, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes, and I hoped he really did understand.

“It’s not—”

He gripped the hair at the back of my head and kissed me. His tongue swirled with mine and he groaned. A noise I didn’t think I would ever get enough of and could never forget. “I know it’s not ideal that you’re the team doctor,” he said as soon as he pulled his lips away from mine. “But I want to try. I don’t want to just fuck. I mean I want to fuck, but—”

Now it was me who gripped his hair and pulled him in for another kiss. “We can try.” I shouldn’t have said it, but every part of me forced the words out of my mouth.

“I’d really like that,” he whispered.

“I want to fuck too,” I said, making him laugh. “But I’d also like to wait until you’re healed.”

“That’s probably a good idea. It feels great now, but I’m not sure how it’ll be after tonight’s game,” he said, and bent it again to test it.

“I’ll wrap it tonight and pad it more on that side. If you get hit again tonight at least you’ll have a little protection.”

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