Page 64 of Snapping the Ice
“I don’t know.” My gaze fell to my wine, resting on my thighs. “I do because I never felt I could trust Tate.” In fact, before him, I’d always used condoms. He’d insisted on not using them.
His eyes widened. “Oh, and he always topped.” He nodded slowly, squeezing his lips. “But it means we don’t need condoms, right?” He cocked his head. “Do you want to stay on the medication?”
I shrugged. I was over the side-effects I’d had when I started it. “Yes, might as well.” I grabbed his hand. It was nice of him to ask. How different being with him was. “And no condoms needed. Unless you want them. There are other things?—”
“I get tested regularly with the team. I don’t have anything.” He lowered his brows. “When was your last test?”
“A few months ago.” I hung my head. “I should probably get tested before we do this.” Fucking Tate. I tightened my grip on my wine glass. Who knew where his dick had been when we’d been together? I wouldn’t put it past him to have been unfaithful.
“Okay, get tested and in the meantime, we play.” He gave me an assuring smile as he threaded his fingers in mine.
“Oh my God, what time is it?” Evan ambled from his bedroom, his chiseled chest bare and his hair sticking up in odd places.
“It’s almost six.” With a smirk, Lucas glanced at Evan.
“Really? Damn, I was tired.” Evan opened the refrigerator, pulled out a Gatorade, and guzzled it. “By the way, guys, condoms suck. Get tested.” He hung his hand on the refrigerator door.
My jaw dropped. What portion of our conversation had he heard? My gaze crept to Lucas’s, and we both snorted.
“What’s for dinner? I’m starved.” Evan closed the door and turned around.
“Uh, we ordered food from Olive and Ivy.” Lucas rolled his lips. “Maybe we can order more still?”
“Naw, I’m in the mood for sushi. I’ll order some of that.” Sliding his phone from his athletic shorts, he tapped on the screen. “Hope you guys don’t mind a little company.” He strolled to the loveseat and fell into it. His gaze roamed over us. “How’s the order of protection working out?” He drank more Gatorade.
“Good.” I snuck a peek at Lucas. I should come clean with him.
“Yeah? So, you haven’t seen the guy at all since you filed it?” Evan flopped his arm onto the armrest.
“Well…” I drew a deep breath. “I have, actually.” As my gut clamped tight, I cut my gaze to Lucas.
“What?” He shifted to face me. “When, today?”
“No. It was the day I filed the order, I think.” What days had he come around exactly? He’d left me alone the last few days. I gnawed my lower lip.
“Ezra, you didn’t tell me that. What happened?” Lucas lifted my chin, forcing our gazes to meet. “Talk to me.”
“Uh-oh.” Evan drank more Gatorade.
“I’m sorry, Lucas. I didn’t want to worry you. I thought it would be better for your game if I didn’t tell you.” I watched him. I’d lied to him. Would he ever trust me again?
Knitting his brows, he said, “I can handle it.”
“No, you can’t.” With a huff, Evan said, “Lucas was a fucking mess in our first game. It’s a good thing you kept that information to yourself.”
“Evan.” Lucas threw him a glare. “Stay out of this.”
“Am I wrong?” Evan snickered. “Come on, man. Give the guy a break. He was thinking about what was best for you. Right, Ezra?” He lifted his chin.
“I…” I stared at the glass in my lap. I hadn’t wanted to start a rift between Evan and Lucas.
Under his breath, Lucas said, “But I don’t want him?—”
“There’s nothing you could have done about it, anyway. What the hell? You were like, three-hundred miles away. Did you think you were going to fly home really quick and save him? Leave it to the cops.” Evan scowled and shook his head.
Evan was defending me, but I still felt like a shit. “I’m sorry, Lucas.” Facing him, I straightened my spine. I had to own my decision.
He slumped and blew out a breath. “Fuck, Evan is right. I suppose we should make a plan in case you see him again.”
