Page 102 of Hockey Halloween
When Felix grinned, Brock answered with a smile of his own. Then he made a point of scowling.
“I'msupposedto be grumpy today. You're going to ruin my costume.”
Felix huffed in faux indignation. “I guess I did give you the perfect excuse to have your usual dour expression. Though you're just as cute when you smile, so feel free to keep it up.”
“So that’s why you picked this for me? Because I'm a moody grump?”
“I've seen you on the ice. You'd make a great devil…but you're a softie underneath. I picked it to show that I see what you put out there, but I also see you're loveable and huggable underneath the tough guy exterior.”
Brock couldn't remember the last time he'd blushed. He hadn't even been all that embarrassed walking around in a light blue onesie in front of his teammates, coaches, and dozens of fans. But hearing Felix say all that sweet stuff about him…his cheeks were on fire and it felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest.
He coughed to clear the lump in his throat. “And what did you think it meant when you thought that costume was for me?”
“That you saw beneath the sweet daycare teacher and knew I'dbe able to keep you on your toes. Or you thought I was a devil in the sheets and was maybe hinting at that.”
There was no containing the peal of laughter that bubbled up before Brock could stop it, so once it did, he let himself feel the full force of his joy at having this moment with Felix and the many more to come. Because yes, he knew Felix was kind and sweet, and he was definitely beginning to learn how he'd keep Brock guessing in all the best ways.
And he was absolutely prepared to challenge who was more of a devil in bed…later. He had to do something else first.
Looking around, he grabbed Felix’s hand and pulled him behind a pillar so there was at least some semblance of privacy. He took both of Felix's hands in his, momentarily thankful the costume didn't include giant paws over his hands, and gazed into Felix’s eyes.
“I really like you, Felix,” he said. “I've had a crush on you ever since I moved into the building, and I'm glad you tricked me into helping you set up your Halloween decorations —”
“Tricked!?” Felix looked affronted, then bit his bottom lip to stop himself. “Sorry, sorry. You're being amazing, and I'm focusing on the wrong thing. Please continue.”
“As I was saying.” Brock brought Felix’s hands to his lips and kissed the back of his hand, right by the knuckle of his thumb. “I’m glad you came into my life.“ He kissed another knuckle, pleased that now Felix was the one with pink coloring his cheeks. “I’m glad you’re more outgoing than I am, or we’d never have gotten here.” Another, lingering kiss. “I’m glad you came to the party with me.” He placed one more kiss, then held their entwined hands to his heart. “And I’m really glad I get to go home with you tonight.”
“So presumptuous,” Felix teased, though the way he batted his eyelashes showed he had no problems with that idea. “I’m glad it worked out this way too. You’re the real deal, Number Nine. Handsome, sweet, and you don’t take yourself too seriously.” He went up on his tiptoes and brushed his lips against Brock’s, the kiss so chaste but affectionate Brock wished he could skip this whole party.
He couldn’t, though, so he kissed back and let Felix step away to put some much needed space between them.
“C’mon.” Felix pulled him away from the pillar. “Can you introduce me to your teammates?”
Instead of the nerves he’d expected, Brock was excited at the prospect of showing Felix off. This was the start of something fantastic in his life, and he wanted to share it.
“Sure,” Brock said, happy and settled in a way he hadn’t felt in years. “Anyone in particular you want to meet?”
“Is your defense…buddy…person…here?” He burst into giggles at Brock’s horrified look. “Sorry, I don’t know the word. Your partner for defense.”
Brock couldn’t help it: he laughed with Felix. “I’m going to have so much fun teaching you about hockey. Yes, he’s here. Somewhere.”
“Let’s start with him, then,” Felix said. “Lead the way.”
With a devil at his side, Brock took them back to the concourse for what would be the best Halloween party ever.
About the Author
A.L. Heardis a romance author whose debut hockey romance novel,Hockey Bois, was released in 2021. A longtime fanfiction writer turned indie author, she currently lives in Pittsburgh. Between writing projects, she teaches languages. She’s a hockey player, hockey mom, and spends her weekends exploring local breweries.
Social Media Links: Instagram: @ashheardwrites https://www.instagram.com/ashheardwrites/
BlueSky: @ashheardwrites https://bsky.app/profile/ashheardwrites.bsky.social
Guardian Uber by Katie Kenyhercz
Guardian Uber
KATIE KENYHERCZ
