Page 52 of Snapping the Ice
I threw him a glance. Fuck, I’d been worrying nonstop about him. In a game, I didn’t have my phone. What if something happened, and he’d texted or called? “Yeah, maybe.” And then I needed to have the conversation about sex.
“He’s a grown ass man. You’re not doing him any favors by blowing this game. He’ll probably blame himself.” He glared at me. “Focus on what’s important. There’s not a damn thing you can do about Ezra’s situation right now.”
“Fuck.” He was right. Worrying about the unknown was stupid. All I could control was my hockey for now. “I’m sorry, Crosby. I’ll do better next time out.”
“I know you will.” He patted my shoulder with his gloved hand and then glanced at Coach standing behind us. “Time to get out there.”
CHAPTER 12
EZRA
Lucas wasn’t playing well, according to the announcers. Did my situation play a role? Or was it just an off night? I bit my thumbnail, watching the game from his sofa. Maybe I shouldn’t lean on him as much as I was? I pursed my lips.
Lucas jumped the boards and hit the ice, following a Vegas player to the net. As the other player swung his stick back, Lucas hit him, throwing him to the ice. Evan skated by and high-fived him.
If I saw Tate while Lucas was traveling, I wouldn’t tell him about it. I shifted on the sofa, tucking my legs underneath me. But wasn’t that lying to him? Fuck, Tate better not show up after I file the order of protection. I sighed. I’d spend the latter part of the evening learning what I had to do, so I’d be ready first thing tomorrow.
Skating toward the Vegas goal, Lucas batted the puck between his blades. Only a few seconds remained in the period. With a flick of his wrist, he shot the puck at a Firebird player coasting by the goalie. The Firebird tossed the puck into the air.
The Vegas goalie dropped and lifted his netted glove. Hitting the goal pipe, the puck fell inside. The red lamp lit, and Firebirds piled onto Lucas and the other Firebird, patting his back and side-hugging him.
The announcer said, “An assist for Hopkins. There’s the player we usually see. Guess he’s got his game back.”
My heart swelled. “Way to go, Lucas.” I’d deal with Tate’s behavior privately if it continued to be a problem this week.
After the game ended, my phone hummed on the coffee table. I picked it up and peered at the screen. Was it Lucas? Nope, Maddy. I answered. “Hey, Maddy.” It was a little late for her to call.
“Hi, Ezra. I’m just checking in.” Crying carried through the phone. “Sorry, Hannah’s got a nasty cold, so we’re giving her a nebulizer treatment.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know what the hell that was. Could it be serious? My chest grew tight. “Will she be okay?”
“She will. It just makes for some sleepless nights.” She chuckled. “Oh, she’s quiet now, so we can talk. What’s up with the hockey player and Tate?”
I rolled my eyes. I was sick of thinking about Tate, but Lucas? I could talk about him all day. “I’m staying at Lucas’s apartment right now. He’s out of town for some games.”
“Woah, what the hell?” She giggled. “Did it turn out I was right?”
“Yes.” My cheeks flamed, and I plucked my water glass from the table and sipped it. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t talked to her since the night I broke up with Tate.
“Oh my God, Ezra. Tell me more.”
“Well, he has a gay brother, Mason Hopkins, who’s in theNAPH and married to another player named Jett Jarvis.” She wouldn’t know who they were. She didn’t follow hockey. I tucked my water glass between my thighs.
“Wow, NAPH players. So, is Lucas bisexual or something? How did it go down?”
“He is. We’re taking things slow. He’s never been with a man before.” Should I be worried? He’d seemed so confident with his feelings for me. I rimmed the lip of my glass with my index finger.
“Okay, but his brother is gay, so it’s not totally new for him.”
“Correct.” I nodded once. “He played tonight in Vegas and his team won.” I held my phone away from my ear, peering at it. Would he call soon?
“So, is Tate leaving you alone now? What happened?”
Huffing a sigh, I said, “No, he’s not. He’s been showing up at my place and the studio. I’m filing an order of protection tomorrow.” I hoped it stopped him.
“That’s serious, Ezra. And I gather you’re staying at Lucas’s place to stay away from Tate?”
“Exactly. But we’re afraid Tate might get Lucas’s address and if he knows when Lucas is on the road, he might come here.” I glanced behind me at the front door. If he showed up and I didn’t answer, would he go away? At least at my apartment, I had my neighbor watching out for me. “Hey, I met the neighbor across the courtyard from me. She’s been scaring Tate away and called the police on him once.” I chuckled. A little old lady had scared him off.
