Page 18 of Snapping the Ice
“No, you’re the guest.” I held his wrist, stopping him. He’d already done so much for me. Just having someone listen lifted a heavy weight off me.
“Okay, but I don’t want to go home yet.” His cheeks flushed. “I want to talk with you some more.”
“Sure. I don’t have to be at the studio until ten tomorrow.” I rose and cleared the table. I’d been working so much, it would be nice to sleep in and frankly, I wanted to spend more time with him, too.
After cleaning up dinner, I met him on the couch, sitting beside him, and raked my gaze over him.
Bent forward with his elbows resting on his thighs, he twisted his beer can in his hands. “Do you love Tate?” His gaze snapped to mine, his brows creasing.
“I…” When Tate was an ass, I didn’t think so. But then, when things were good between us, I felt something for him. “I don’t know.” I sipped my beer.
He winced and blew out a long breath. “Okay.” He shifted on the couch to face me. “If he wasn’t in your life anymore, how do you think you’d feel?”
“Relieved.” My gut churned. Didn’t even have to think about it. “I guess that means maybe I don’t love him.”
“I think you can still love someone and be relieved when they’re gone.” He rested his arm across the back of the couch behind me. “Maybe you’re in love with what could have been?” He focused on my mouth for a beat and licked his lips.
“Maybe. When things were good between us, I enjoyed being with him.” I edged toward him. Although he wasn’t hugging me, feeling this close to him made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. I gazed deeply into his bright blue eyes, then focused on his lips.
He leaned in, closing his eyes.
Losing myself, I closed the gap. What the hell was I doing? I halted and drew back.
His eyes opened wide, and he cleared his throat. “Uh, sorry. I don’t know what…” As his cheeks pinked, he shook his head and chuckled. “You know, when I first saw you, I thought you were a hot chick.” He lifted the edge of his lips.
“You did?” I let my mouth tug in a grin. “It’s not the first time.” Fuck it. He felt too good. I shimmied in next to him and leaned against his large frame, my heart pattering. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah, this is nice, actually.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “It’s not weird for guy friends to comfort each other, right?” He sighed.
“No, and it shouldn’t be. I think most straight men are too scared of being labeled as gay if they show emotion or hug their friends too long, you know?” But Lucas wasn’t. Was it because he grew up with a gay brother? He didn’t have issues with who he was. His body heat warmed me.
“Who else mistook you for a hot chick?” With a soft grin, he sipped his beer.
I shrugged. “Oh, various people. I guess it’s because I wear my hair on the longer side.” As my cheeks heated, I dipped my head with a smile. “I was in a gay bar one time and asked this guy to dance with me. He declined at first, telling me he was gay and not interested.” I chuckled. “I grabbed his hand and put it on my dick. Boy, was he surprised.” And drunk. It probably hadn’t been a great idea to dance with a super drunk guy, anyway.
“Seriously?” His gaze dipped to my groin, and he scraped his teeth over his lower lip. “I think it’s more than your hair.” He tucked his can between his thighs and brushed my bangs from my face. “You’re, uh, pretty.” His breath deepened and his eyes grew dark. “Ezra, you are…fucking with my head a little.”
“I am?” Shit, maybe he was bi and just now realizing it? Could I be so lucky?But Tate. As heat built low in my belly, I focused on his lips, so close to mine. I shouldn’t kiss him. I had a boyfriend, even if he was a complete ass.
“Yeah. I’ve never met a guy I found so attractive before.” His throat bobbed with a hard swallow. “But then I’ve always hung around jocks.” He trailed his gaze over my body. “Not guys built like you are.”
“Lucas, what are you saying?” Warmth flooded my insides, and my dick plumped. Would he be able to admit it to himself if he was bisexual? He had a gay brother, for fuck’s sake.
“I don’t know. Shit.” Sucking in a breath, he drew away from me, unwrapping his arm from my shoulders. “I should go.” He stood.
“Sure.” I rose beside him. “It’s getting late and I’m sure you have practice in the morning?” Whatever was happening to him, he wasn’t ready to face it.And I have a boyfriend.Would he still want to be there for me, or would he disappear?
He strode into the kitchen, downed his beer and threw the can into the trash bin, resting next to the island.
I followed and set my beer on the kitchen counter. “So, guess I’ll see you around?” Tucking my hands into my jeans, I studied him. Was he freaking out?
“Yes, give me your number.” He tugged his phone out of his jean’s pocket. “I play games next week, but I’ll be around this weekend.”
I gave him my number, and he texted me his.
“Okay. I’m usually with Tate on the weekends.” My heart dropped. I didn’t want to spend another minute with Tate.
Flinching, he tucked his phone into his pocket. “Ezra, you’re going to break up with him, right?”
