Page 28 of Snapping the Ice
“I do, but I’m sure we can work something out.” He scanned the apartment. “I, uh, can sleep on your couch tonight.”
I pushed out a long breath. “You don’t have to?—”
“I want to, and I will.” He leaned in close, skimming his fingertips over my cheek as he brushed the hair from my face, his gaze locking on mine. “I’m not leaving here when that asshole could show up any minute and hurt you.” His gaze fell to my lips. “I won’t let that happen.” He leaned in closer, his eyes shutting.
My eyes widened. Was he going to kiss me?
The door rattled with a knock.
“Fuck. The pizza.” I clambered from the couch, stood, and smoothed my jeans down my thighs. But what if it was Tate?
“Ezra, let me get this.” He rose and stomped to the door, his gaze hardening. “If it’s Tate, he’s going to meet my fist.”
We’d been thinking the same thing. With a hard swallow, I nodded once.
He hurled the door open.
The pizza guy startled. “Oh, shit. Sorry, wasn’t expecting that.” He held the pizza box to Lucas. “Here you go, man. Thanks for the generous tip.”
“You’re welcome.” Lucas grabbed the pizza and, as the delivery guy left, looked around the area outside the apartment.
“He’s not out there, right?” I rubbed my hands over mychest as my skin prickled. Here I’d left Tate, and he still made me fearful.
“Nope, I don’t see him.” Lucas shut the door and set the pizza on the coffee table. “Sorry, but I’m starved.” He dropped onto the couch and opened the box. “If I don’t eat every few hours, I get shaky.” Pulling a slice from the box, he stuffed the end into his mouth.
“Here, I’ll grab napkins and plates.” I ambled into my kitchen, grabbed a few plates and paper towels, and then set them next to the box. “I suppose you have to eat a lot since you’re a professional athlete.”
“Yeah.” He ate more pizza, set the slice on a plate, and patted the couch next to him. “Please, sit down.”
“Okay.” I fell in beside him and eyed the pizza. Fuck Tate. The comment still pissed me off. Leaning forward, I slid a slice on a plate and took a bite, the melted cheese mixing with the tang of the pepperoni and sauce. “This is good, Lucas.”
“You like it? It’s a place I order from a lot. You were right. I don’t live very far from you.” He snuck his tongue out and licked a sauce blob from the corner of his mouth.
My gaze chased his tongue. What would it feel like?—?
“You said you didn’t love Tate, right?” He picked up a fresh slice of pizza, glancing at me.
“No, I don’t. I don’t think I ever did.” Tonight, Tate had been ugly. Why had I stayed with him so long? I slowly chewed my food.
“You don’t seem very upset. Like, you’re not sad. Are you?” He wiped his mouth with a paper towel.
“I’m…numb.” He was right. If I had loved Tate, I’d be upset right now. “I’m not sure what to feel. Maybe stupid.”
“You’re not stupid, Ezra.” He planted his plate on the table and twisted to me, resting his forearm on the back of the couch behind me. “People like him manipulate others.”
“Guess I’m easily manipulated, then.” I hung my head. What did Lucas think of me? I’d always wondered why people stayed in abusive relationships. Now I knew why.
“No, well, maybe at first. You said he alienated you from all your friends. Maybe you became lonely?” He creased his brows. “Ezra, are you lonely?”
I gazed deeply into his stark blue eyes, full of obvious concern for me. Setting my plate in my lap, I said, “I guess so. I have my business, but I don’t have anyone to?—”
“You have me.” He leaned in, his lips so close to mine. His gaze dipped and came back. “We can do things together.” He bit his lip. “I have a few games next week, but when I’m home, we can hang out.”
As friends? Of course, as friends. “Okay.” I’d never met a straight guy so interested in hanging out with a gay man before. But then, his brother was gay.
He covered my hand with his. “I...like you, Ezra. You’re the kind of person I want to know better.”
Staring at him, my lips parted, and I nodded. I felt safe with him. I should stop questioning this and just go with it.
