Page 9 of Snapping the Ice
“Yes, I know.” I glanced at my kitchen, the silver hardware on the white cabinets and the speckled quartz countertops, my stomach grumbling. I needed to make dinner. “Thank you for the gift. I uh, I have to eat dinner now. It’s been a long day.” Would he go for it?
“Sure, I’ll let you go.” He sighed. “You should be here with me, though. Have you thought more about moving in with me?”
Fuck, he was pressing me on this again. “I…I’ve been busy. Give me some more time.” I worried my lower lip. I’d been hoping he would drop it at some point. “I have a lease?—”
“I’d buy it out. You could work less, you know? You wouldn’t have to pay rent if you lived with me.”
I took a calming breath as my pulse kicked. Not now, not ever would I live with him. Especially after today. “I know. Let me think more about it, okay?”
“Sure, baby. Will you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Let’s see how the shoot goes. I have editing to do.” Planting my elbow on the table, I rested my forehead in my hand. He always tried to draw me away from my work. Was he trying to sabotage me? Maybe. “I have to go.”
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you.” I cringed. Saying it didn’t feel right, but I had to end this call.
CHAPTER 3
LUCAS
“You’re meeting your brother and his husband tonight, right?” Evan stood in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open.
“I am.” I buttoned the top button of my blue shirt, then unbuttoned it. I didn’t want Mason to tease me at dinner for looking like a nerd. Fuck it. I unbuttoned the next one down, exposing a little more of my upper chest. I checked my flow in the hallway mirror by the front door of our apartment.
“Why are you so nervous? It’s not like you’re going on a date.” He chuckled and grabbed some leftover chicken from a glass container.
“No, but you never know when a cute little puck bunny will come around.” I ticked a brow at him. I’d been doing my best to think about women, but Ezra kept sticking in my head. I’d almost,almostclicked on a porn video with a long-haired dude in it who looked a little like him. But no, I’d been strong.
“I see. So, you think a puck bunny will be interested in two gay guys?” He set the chicken on the counter and grabbed a plate from an upper cabinet. “Anyone who knows hockey knows about your brother and Jett Jarvis.”
I shot him a quick glare. “Women love gay men. Especially hot ones.” Ew, was I calling my brother hot? “You’ve gotta always be ready, Crosby.” I tucked the front of my shirt into my designer jeans.
“Yeah, whatever.” With a soft snort, he set the chicken on a plate and slid it into the microwave. “Say hi to them for me.”
“I will.” I raked my fingers through my long bangs and strolled to the door. “See you later, man.”
“See you,” Evan called out.
Fifteen minutes later, I’d found the Thai place they’d wanted to eat at. I’d moved into downtown Scottsdale a few months ago with Evan, but between practices and travel, I hadn’t had time to venture out.
I glanced at the sign above an awning, reading Melee’s on Main. This part of town was mostly one-story plazas with fancy restaurants, kitsch gift shops and art galleries. The tourists were endless, and so were the palm trees lining the streets. I wasn’t in Minnesota anymore.
I walked under an overhang with red clay tiles held up by hand-hewn wooden poles and into the restaurant. The place was low-lit, but the walls were all painted white. Four-top tables in dark woods scattered across the narrow floor and bamboo pendent lamps hung from the ceiling. As I stepped to a hostess stand, my phone buzzed. I slid it out of my jean’s pocket.
Mason
We’re at the back patio. It’s too nice to be inside.
I glanced at the hostess, watching me.
“I’m uh, meeting someone. They’re on the patio.” I tucked my phone into my pocket and sniffed. A mixture of curry and garlic floating on the air. It smelled heavenly in here.
“Right this way.” The hostess waved behind her.
I followed her past a short bar and some booths, and then through a small archway into a fenced patio. Beyond, a glass building rose, the orange and turquoise sunset reflecting off its panes. Summers here were brutal, but the sunsets made up for it.
Mason waved to me. “Bro, over here.” His dark bangs were slicked back and his blue-eyed gaze caught mine.
