Page 14 of Snapping the Ice
“Yeah?” I drank more coffee. “What about your friends? What do they think of him?” I knew guys like that, flaunting their money everywhere. Tate was your typical douche canoe. It didn’t surprise me.
“I, uh, I don’t have time for friends.” He pinched his lips. “I had some during college. I went to Phoenix College for photography. After I graduated, I opened the studio and worked a lot. Then I met Tate and…” He drew a deep inhale. “Tate doesn’t like me hanging out with anyone but him.”
“What do you think he’d do if he knew we were hanging out like this?” Prickling wound through my chest and I tightenedmy grip on my coffee cup. I might beat the fucker to pulp if he walked in right now.
“He’d be…angry.” Choking out a laugh, his lips went slack. “He slapped me after you were in my studio the other day.”
“He what?” As burning ignited inside me, I almost crushed my cup and set it on the coffee table. “That’s not right, Ezra. Was it the first time?” Now if I saw him, I’d definitely beat him.
Hanging his head, his long bangs covered his face. “Yes, it was the first time. I’m not proud I’ve let it get to?—”
“It’s not your fault. It’s his.” Jesus, fuck. I hated guys like Tate. Throwing my arms around Ezra, I hauled him to my chest, brushing my hand down the back of his soft hair. “You have to get away from him.” I breathed him in, his scent a mix of sandalwood and vanilla. God, he smelled good. My stomach quivered and my cock twitched in my joggers. Fuck, this had escalated quickly, and what was wrong with my dick?
He rested his cheek on my shoulder. “I know, but I don’t know how.” He slid an arm around my waist and squeezed. “Thank you for your concern, but I’ll find a way.” He pushed off me and straightened, flicking his hair behind his shoulder. “I made something of myself despite my parents and I’ll find a way to leave Tate.” His hardened gaze swept to mine.
My heart broke for him. He was a strong guy. I could see it in his eyes. “But you don’t have to do it alone. I know a lot of queer guys here. Professional hockey players. My brother and his friends will help.” I clasped his hand in mine. “And me. I want to help.” But wouldn’t I be traveling for games soon? “If you need a place to stay?—”
As his gaze softened, his eyes glistened. “No one’s stood by me before.” He frowned. “I’m not one to ask for help.”
“I get it. But we all need help sometimes. Let me help you. Please.” An ache floated across my heart. I didn’tunderstand what was happening to me, but I couldn’t abandon him. There was something about him I couldn’t walk away from.
“Yeah, okay.” He ticked his shoulder, and his phone buzzed in his pocket. “Shit. It’s probably Tate.” Scoffing a sigh, he slid it out and peered at the phone. “Yep.” He tapped on the screen. “Tate’s asking why the studio is locked and where I am.”
“What are you telling him?” Fuck, were things about to go downnow? My pulse raced.
“I’m telling him I was hungry and stepped out to get some food.” He set the phone on the table, and it buzzed again. “He’ll want to know where, so he can find me.”
“Ezra, you can’t tell him where we are.” Shit, this felt like we were cheating. But we weren’t. We were…friends. That was all. No matter what sick joke my dick was playing on me. “Does he know about?—”
With a scowl, Tate pitched the door open to the coffee shop.
CHAPTER 4
EZRA
As my heart jumped into my throat, I said, “Tate, you’re here.” I had to pretend I was happy to see him. I stood with my coffee. “We were, uh, just talking about you.” I flashed a glance at Lucas.
Tate stomped to me. “Yeah? What are you doing here withhim?” He pointed a glare at Lucas.
With a sharp chuckle, I said, “I told you I was hungry. He just happened to be here when I walked in.” I gave Lucas, eyes wide and mouth hanging open, a pointed look. “Turns out he lives close by, right, Lucas?”
Lucas rose. “Yeah, I, uh, I actually do.” He cleared his throat. “I hoped I could get a preview of the photos Ezra took of me.”
“Did you now?” Tate stepped nearer to Lucas, their chests almost touching. “If he had photos, they’d be on his laptop. I don’t see his laptop in here, do you?”
“Tate, babe, settle down. They’re on my OneDrive, which is installed on my phone.” I pushed on Tate’s chest, and he tooka step back. Tate needed to leave before he asked more questions.
“Did you like what you saw?” Tate flared his nostrils.
“I did. Ezra takes great photos.” Lucas lifted his chin.
“Okay, then I guess you can go now. Right?” Pursing his lips, Tate planted his hands on his hips.
With his brows snapping together, Lucas swung his gaze at me. “Um…”
“Right?” Tate flicked his gaze from me to Lucas. “Your business is finished now, puck boy.”
Lucas opened his mouth and shut it.
