Page 31 of Scoring Slater
After Slater dressed in his navy blue suit, they stopped at Noah's room for him to change. He felt Slater's gaze as he pulled on the twin version in black. Having the same tailor made some of their styling choices easy. Even the bold pattern on the inside lining of their jackets matched. "Ready to go?"
Slater linked their hands together. "Let's do it."
Entering the arena and locker room with Slater was everything he'd wished his previous evening had been. They were side by side, laughing, talking, and all felt right with the world.
Until the whistles and a call of "Big spender," came from the far side of the room.
He stiffened. His mind raced as he tried to place the voice. Everything got too loud and too bright.
Beside him, Slater laughed and waved in the voice's direction. His hand on Noah's shoulder propelled him forward, and Slater drew to a stop just outside the home team's logo on the floor. He pitched his voice over the other conversations. "That's right. I'm an expensive date. Twenty-five grand, boys. I promised I'd match the winning bid, and if any of you want to do that too, well,maybeI'll let you win the next fight we have on the ice."
Laughter and cheers rang out, and Slater squeezed Noah's shoulder and led him to their stalls.
Max was already there. He hugged Slater and then glanced between him and Noah. "You two together now?"
Tension radiated through Noah's body like he was about to deliver a body check into the boards. "We are. But it's not public."
"Yet," Slater added, emphasizing the word as he held Noah's gaze. "It's not public yet."
"With those videos circulating? I think it is." Max's expression was pure happiness and mischief. "But anyway, congratulations. And Noah, don't hurt my boy here."
Noah accepted the warning and the clap on the back from Slater's oldest friend. In a way, Max reminded him of Leo. They both shared that protective instinct.
"I want to get a photo of our jerseys hanging side by side." Slater's hand skated across the center of his back. He melted into the touch as his tense muscles loosened.
He moved to the side, out of the photo's range. The jerseys looked good together. Like they belonged together. "Sure."
After they pulled on their gear and jerseys, Slater held up his phone. "Take a photo with me?"
Desire to commemorate that moment won out over his anxiety. "Only if you send it to me too."
"Hell, I'll print it, frame it, and hang it over the TV." Slater wrapped an arm around Noah's shoulder and pulled him closer. "Smile."
He gazed at Slater's reflection in the selfie and grinned. In the corner of his vision, the cameraman who'd taken their photo on the ice the previous night came into the room. There would be several photos, all different arrangements of players—same team, same division, same conference—before the night was through.
Slater's hand slid to the back of his neck. The gentle brush of fingers on the sensitive skin raised goosebumps all over Noah's body and sparked a slow burn at the base of his spine.
"Slater." The whispered word was lost in the loud room. He shifted until the teasing hand fell away.
One of the sports network's reporters came over with her cameraman. "Slater Knox and Noah Alzado. Just the two guys I wanted to see. How excited are you to be here representing the Bedlam?"
While Noah shrank back, Slater stepped forward. "We're happy to be here. Got to meet a lot of fans this weekend, and it's been fun hanging out with the guys. We'd like to thank Chicago's organization and the city for welcoming us."
"Last night, Slater participated in a charity bachelor auction. And Noah, you bid on him. Can you talk to me about that?" She thrust the microphone in his face.
Panic pulsed through him. The room's temperature seemed to increase by ninety degrees. Sweat broke out, bathing his skin. He dug his nails into his palms and pasted on his professional smile. "This weekend isn't about us. It's about the fans and celebrating the game of hockey. We're honored to represent the Bedlam and all our fans back home."
Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second, then she moved the microphone back to Slater. "Anything to add?"
A muscle in his jaw ticked as he spoke. "The Hockey Allies charity does important work. Please check them out and donate if you can."
"Well, thanks guys." With a nod, she moved on to Anderson and Matthews.
Awkwardness followed in her wake. Noah sat and readjusted the laces on his skates. Slater sat beside him, thumbing through his phone. There was a tightness in his eyes and expression.
Noah wracked his brain for something to say. "You hear from your parents today?"
"They texted earlier. I’m surprised they remembered."
