Page 36 of Breakaway Goals
“You mean I could’ve flirted with him, too?” Morgan hadn’t meant the words to leave his mouth, because there was no question they exposed him—his jealousy, his soft, vulnerable underbelly, hisfeelings.
Hayes flushed again. “I wasn’t.Hewas flirting with me.”
“Smart man,” Morgan said.
“I wondered if . . .” Hayes trailed off.
Finn had told him specifically that if he wanted a tournament-long fling, he should say so. He hadn’t been explicit last night, but maybe he should be.
“Any time I can have you, I’m going to take it,” Morgan admitted in a low voice.I’d take it and probably beg you for more.
“Oh.” Hayes looked surprised and then thrilled. “Why didn’t you just say? I kinda assumed or rather I didn’twantto assume. . .”
“Because I’m stupid.”
Hayes laughed and then nudged him with his elbow. “Not stupid. Well, alittlestupid.”
“Stupid to not walk over here half an hour ago and tell you that I wanted to go back to the hotel.”
“Ah, but then you wouldn’t be all cute and jealous,” Hayes teased. “And it would’ve been a damn shame to miss that.”
Morgan thought of how just a few days ago, Hayes had still seemed half-afraid of him, definitely worried about saying or doing the wrong thing. And now he was gently puncturing his ego one softly pointed joke at a time. If you’d asked Morgan a week ago if he’d like that, if it wouldturn him on, he’d have said no, that was crazy.
But he’d have been wrong. So wrong.
Because Finn had gotten it the first time; Hayes really cranked his motor. Everything about him from his hockey to his sly sense of humor to the way he filled out those jeans.
How had they started out with Hayes worshipping him and then ended up here? Morgan didn’t know, but he’d clearly lost the lead somewhere.
“Do you want to?” Morgan asked gruffly.
Hayes’ gaze heated up. “Yeah,” he said.
“Come on, let’s go,” Morgan said.
“Do we need to . . .I don’t know . . .say goodbye?” Hayes looked around the bar where the team was spread out at multiple tables and a handful even strung along the other side of the bar.
Morgan caught Danny’s eye and nodded once.
“No,” Morgan said. “Danny’s got this.” He pressed his palm to the small of Hayes’ back, turning him towards the exit.
“Danny? You mean Matthew Daniels?Hehas this?” Hayes laughed awkwardly. “Are you serious?”
“Braun’s here too, somewhere. As shitty as he is, he’s not going to let anyone do anything stupid.”
They grabbed their coats from the booth and headed towards the front door, Hayes pushing it open.
“God, it’s cold,” Hayes complained as soon as they were outside, on the way to the hotel. It was only a few blocks away, but it was still way fucking cold, and it made sense, considering how they were bundled up, to knock their shoulders together and then for Morgan to wrap his arm around him.
Nobody was going to know it was them, not with the snow swirling around the dark, and all the layers they were wearing.
“Better?” Morgan asked under his breath as they paused under an awning, the snow starting to come down harder.
Hayes’ smile was brilliant as he glanced over at Morgan. “Maybe we should’ve taken an Uber.”
“Afraid of a little snow, Monty?” Morgan asked, nudging him.
Hayes tipped his head back. “No. Just not used to it, I guess.”
