Page 5 of Snapping the Ice
I still wore hockey gear on my lower half. “I’ll uh, put my clothes back on too.”
Toward the end of Evan’s shoot, I doom scrolled on my phone while seated at the makeup station. I had to get my mind off Ezra, and I definitely needed to stop watching him and the way he moved. Why was I so fascinated by Ezra? As I swiped through Instagram photos of some of my old teammates in Minnesota, a clap rang through the studio. I swung my head.
In the doorway stood a man with short, dark hair, scanning the area and holding the door open against the wall with one hand. “Ezra.” He released the door, ripped his expensive-looking sunglasses from his face and stomped toward him,wearing an impeccably tailored white silk shirt and dark slacks. He didn’t own the studio, did he? Maybe Ezra was late on rent?
Ezra stopped in his tracks, turned, and stiffened. “I’m almost done, Tate.” His lips pressed together.
As Tate strode past me, he threw me a glare. “Who are you? Another one of those fucking hockey players?”
What the fuck? I stood and puffed out my chest. I was bigger than this asshole.
“Tate, they’re my clients. If you’re going to act like that, I’ll need you to wait outside.” Ezra pointed at the door.
“I’ll do no such thing.” Tate walked to Ezra and snatched his hand. “A word.” He yanked him away from the lights and toward the desk.
“What are you doing?” With my chest heating and a glance at Evan, who watched with his jaw dropped open, I stomped to Ezra and Tate. I knew Evan would have my back if this asshole started something with me.
“None of your business, kid.” Tate glared at me, his dark eyes mean and calculating.
Ezra darted his gaze to me. “Lucas, please sit down. It’s okay.” As he focused on Tate, in a pleading voice, he said, “Come on, baby, you know I have to finish this job.” He brushed his fingers over Tate’s stomach.
“But it’s taking so long, and these guys are…you’ve beenlookingat them?” He swung his gaze at me. “Get out of my space.” He shoved me.
I stumbled backward, and Evan appeared at my side.
“Dude, you better watch yourself.” Evan sneered at Tate.
“Please, everyone, settle down.” Ezra stepped between us and his asshole boyfriend. With his palms raised to us, he said, “Leave us for a few minutes.”
“Okay.” I dipped my head, keeping my gazefixed on Ezra. This wasn’t cool. Tate was obviously abusive. Didn’t Ezra see that?
“Come on.” Evan tagged me in the arm. “You can’t help people who don’t want to be helped.”
“He doesn’t need any help. Especially from you,” Tate said through his teeth.
I strolled to the makeup stations with Evan. “What do you think is going on?”
With a shrug, he said, “No idea, but I don’t like that guy. Are they together? I mean, Ezra is gay, right?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s his boyfriend.” I glanced behind me. I wanted to help Ezra. He deserved better. He hadn’t smiled the whole time he’d been working with Evan and now? There was something darker in his eyes.
“Do gay guys deal with domestic violence?” Evan rubbed his chin, tossing a look behind me. “I mean, your brother is gay, so I guess I thought you’d know.”
“Sure, I guess so. I’ve never heard about it from Mason, but I’m sure it happens.” Planting my hands on my hips, my gaze darted over the floor. I’d have to talk to Mason about it. We were supposed to have dinner together tomorrow. But fuck, how could I help Ezra now?
Ezra and Tate spoke in hushed voices and after a minute, Tate grabbed Ezra’s shoulders and gave him a hard kiss. Ezra’s body tensed and his hands fisted at his sides.
“I’ll just wait here until you’re done.” Tate fell into the desk chair.
“Yeah, sure.” Ezra raked his fingers through his hair and strode to us. “Come on, let’s finish this shoot.”
CHAPTER 2
EZRA
This time, fucking Tate had gone too far. With a glance at him, I walked Evan and Lucas to the door of my studio, my gaze landing on Lucas’s swaying ass. Damn, I liked the way he was built. But he was obviously straight, and I had…a possessive jerk for a boyfriend. “After I go through and edit the images, I’ll send them along to you. I have all your contact info already.” I’d had to send confirmation emails to all the players, after all.
“Sounds good.” Evan strode into the late afternoon sunshine.
