Page 35 of Riding Pine
“Were you serious about fooling around again?” I ask. He can’t just look at me like that and not flick my sex switch.
Lukas smirks and bends to kiss my neck. “I never joke about sex. Come back to bed, Ben.” Lukas’s hands ignite a series of fires on my skin, and I press my lips to his chest.
“I’m just warning you that I’m not as limber half asleep.”
“Somehow I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“Your pants are buzzing,” Lukas mumbles into the back of my neck with a laugh.
“God, what time is it?”
Reluctantly, I extract myself from his arms and root out my phone from my pants. The buzzing stops, but there’s a string of text messages that started hours ago. And they’re all from the equipment guy changing my costume.
And he needs me there ASAP in order to finish up in time for the damn booster club event today. He started calling me at 4 A.M.! Does he not sleep?
“I need to take a rain check for breakfast. I need to be somewhere.”
Lukas opens his sleep-blurred eyes.
“What could possibly be so important at,”—he swivels his head to the clock on his nightstand—“6:27 A.M.?”
“I’d like to show you once it’s finished.”
Impossibly, his lips tilt and a low rumble sounds. “Is it sexy?”
A laugh bursts from my mouth, trying to imagine a beaver suit as anything sexy. That’s a big no.
Lukas’s eyelids have already drooped closed, a small smirk still in place on his mouth.
“You’re at the booster club ticket sale thing today, aren’t you?”
Lukas groans. “Right. Yeah, I am. Me and the two assistant captains and well…I guess you since you’re the beaver.” His words are still thick with sleep, and he drifts away again.
“It’s in a few hours, big guy. Make sure your alarm is on, and I’ll see you later.”
Lukas’s breathing already deepens as he drifts into that half-asleep and half-awake land, and I gather my clothes to dress in the hallway and text George that I’m on my way.
eleven
Lukas
“Congratulations, Lukas. You must be excited for the year ahead.”
Christine, the PR manager for the team, offers her well-manicured hand in greeting. After shaking her hand, I stuff mine in my pockets.
“I’m very excited about this season. I hope we can take the team to the playoffs and beyond. We have a deep lineup.”
“That’s wonderful to hear!” Her nails click on the table as she adjusts a sign. “I’ve heard great things from the coaching staff already. Fans are getting excited for another season, and we’ve seen an uptick in season ticket sales already.” She pats my arm, lingering on my biceps. “I hope today’s event will boost the ticket sales further. Have you met Slappy yet?”
I almost laugh as I recall all the ways I’ve alreadymetSlappy. I’m pretty sure my way of meeting isn’t what she means.
“Not yet, but I’m sure the beaver will have people’s wallets out in no time.”
“Mascots are big business, Lukas. If Slappy is a hit, this could mean so much for me.”
“You?” I raise an eyebrow. “How would it mean something to you?”
She flicks her hand in the air like it’s not a big deal. “Us. I meant the team, but it was my idea.” She tucks her hair behind her ear, and I decide to just let it go.
