Page 26 of Finders Keepers
Nate grinned and nodded. “Every team has two goalies in case one gets hurt. PawPaw is 1A, I’m 1B.”
Wesley blushed, thankful it was probably hidden by the bruising on his face. “Right. Of course.”
“Wesley’s new to hockey,” Nate said.
“A hockey virgin, eh?” said Tommy, poking his tongue into his cheek.
Wesley refrained from rolling his eyes. Tommy definitely needed to be given a wide berth. He might act like it was all fun and games, but when push came to shove, he’d use an uppercut. “We’re all virgins at something.” Wesley put as much innuendo into his tone as he could.
“Huh.” Tommy eyed him like he wasn’t sure what Wesley knew that he didn’t, but Wesley only smiled despite the frisson of bad vibes that buzzed under his skin.
Nate and James sorted through food while they all discussed which game to play. The consensus was Mario Kart. A classic.
“Wanna play?” Nate held out a controller to Wesley.
Wesley shook his head. “Maybe another time.”
The guys alternated between eating and playing until they’d demolished the food and completed the in-game Grand Prix, Vilho coming out the winner.
* * * * *
Eventually, Wesley slid from the recliner next to the window and gathered their trash.
Nate helped and followed him to the kitchen.
“I think I’m gonna go lay down. My head’s starting to buzz a bit.” He grabbed a bottle of water from the case in the pantry.
“We’re too loud, aren’t we?”
Wesley shook his head but appreciated Nate’s concern. “It’s fine. It’s your place. Have fun with your teammates. It’s just a little headache. I probably shouldn’t have had that caffeine. I’ll lay down and listen to music or something.”
Nate trailed him into the hall. “I’m sorry.”
Wesley stopped in the bedroom doorway and placed a hand on Nate’s chest. The broad muscles were warm and firm. Wesley knew what they looked like. He remembered exactly what the skin felt like. The desire to see the pale flesh, to touch it again whispered through him, but he was here as a guest. A wounded one at that. Not a lover, not a one-night stand. Not anything in between. He had no business developing feelings of any sort for Nate. He had a secret to keep and a career to protect. They both did. “No apologies. I’m fine. Go play FIFA.”
Nate’s gaze was intense, but Wesley refused to squirm. What he wanted to do was tug Nate inside his room and close the door. Have his way with him. Bring out his Ashton persona and make Nate feel so much pleasure. But he couldn’t. Certainly not with three of Nate’s teammates in the other room.
Nate finally nodded and headed back to the living room but stopped just inside the hallway.
Wesley was about to ask what the matter was when he heard Tommy.
“... kind of fairy faggot has Nessy got staying up in here? You see that guy?”
“Shut up, Tommy. Who cares?” said James.
“I fuckin’ care. That guy’s a stain on men everywh—”
Nate barreled forward, yelling as he went. “Shut your fucking mouth and get the fuck out of my house.”
The stunned silence lasted a mere beat.
“What the hell man? Just telling it like—”
“Stop talking. Right now.” Nate’s voice had gone hard and cold. “Wesley’s my friend and a guest in my home. Which should be reason enough for you to keep your fucking mouth shut in the first place. But he’s also a person with feelings and rights, and you’re not the fucking arbiter of who’s allowed to wear what in this world. So close your mouth and get the hell out. And if I ever hear that kind of shit from you again, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Tommy’s voice was all bluster and swagger. He was probably posturing although Wesley couldn’t see him.
He was all too familiar with the type. But Nate seemed more dangerous at this point, what with his righteous anger, and Tommy didn’t even realize it.
