Page 15 of Game Winner
He lifts his chin in agreement. “Good idea.”
I stand and extend my hand to pull him to his feet. The momentum isn’t strong, but once he’s up, he keeps coming and wraps me in a hug. I hold on, squeezing him hard, and catch his smile in the mirror on the wall. My best friend, my bandmate, my brother, Layne’s always been a fixture in my life. “We’re good, you and me?”
“Of course,” he huffs, like he’s offended that I’d even ask that.
“Let’s go.” Gavin leads Everett to the stairs, and they troop up ahead of us. I snag Layne by the hand and pull him in front of the drum kit, then take a selfie of us.
His lips quirk into a smile. “What’s that for?”
“Good things are happening. I’m marking the moment. We’ll get one with Gav and Ev later.”
He walks toward the steps. “You coming?”
“I’ll be right there.”
I get a curious look, then a knowing smirk when he glances at my phone. “Have a good chat with your boys. Don’t take too long.” Without waiting for a response, Layne jogs up the stairs with a light gait.
In the quiet and stillness of the practice room, I send the photo to Soren and Tyler. As new as things are with us, I want to share the news and this moment with them too.
Ping.
Soren’s message appears below the photo.Looking good. Finished with practice?
The urge to see them swells up fast.
Bax: Yeah. Are you busy?
Tyler: We always have time for sexy drummers.
That makes me feel about ten feet tall.
Bax: Are you together?
Tyler: Yes. Soren just put his phone on the charger, so call mine.
Smiling like a smitten fool, I call. Then smile bigger as my screen fills with the sight of Soren and Tyler, sitting together on a bed.
“Hey.”
Soren slips his arm around Tyler, crowding in closer. “You look happy.”
“And you look cozy.” Sinking onto the stool Gavin used earlier, I take them in. The gray padded headboard, the fluffywhite pillows and blankets, and my two guys, dressed in hoodies and sweatpants, with video game controllers beside them.
Tyler tips his head against Soren’s. His eyes sparkle with his warm smile. “We are. The rest of the hotel is freezing. Everyone else is heading out to dinner, but we ordered pizza because I don’t plan on leaving this pile of blankets until I absolutely have to.”
I don’t know if they’re sleeping together. I wouldn’t mind if they were doing things without me, especially since I don’t know exactly what we all are to each other, or if either of them are seeing anyone else. But damn, I’d love to be in that bed with them. “I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t either. Are you settling in okay with your new teammates?”
“I’ve only played one game and had a couple of practices, so I haven’t gotten to know a lot of people yet, but my linemates seem nice.” He shrugs, and the discomfort in the roll of his shoulders makes me want to cuddle him. “And I’m happy Soren’s here.”
“He kicked everyone’s asses in the first round of our gaming tournament.” Pride puffs up Soren’s chest and voice. He slides his hand up and down Tyler’s biceps, and cuddles him closer. “You’ll get to know people better. We’re playing some ridiculous card game that Phil found on the bus ride home. It always helps people open up.”
Shifting to a more comfortable position, I rest my shoulder against the purple foam square. “Are you two rooming together?”
Soren shakes his head. “Pavel, our other goalie, has been my roommate since I came to the team.”
“No roommate for me.” Tyler shrugs. “I’m the odd one out right now, but I don’t mind that. My last roommate snored so loudly I had to wear earplugs.”
Soren nuzzles his nose into Tyler’s neck. “I don’t snore.”
