Page 50 of Hooking the Captain
“Wow,” I breathed. “I had no idea.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Not into announcing it, seeing as some guys might get the wrong idea. Some might think I was into them just because we change in the locker room in front of each other.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” I really did, given I had the same fear. “But why tell me then?”
He shrugged again. “I don’t know. Something tells me I can trust you.”
I smiled warmly at him. “Yeah, you can.”
I wasn’t exactly sure why he told me other than maybe he knew that blowing up his personal life would affect our team and neither one of us wanted that. I was so close to returning to the ice, and since I’d been out on the IR, the Bruins had been going strong with a 14-4 win/loss record. I would never do something that would jeopardize the team or one of my teammates.
“Thanks. I might slip out of here and go to the nightclub, Chrome.That’smore my style.”
I knew of Chrome because that was where Hayden had met his late boyfriend and former teammate of mine, Jonah. Since I was too scared to come out, I’d never been to a gay nightclub before.
“Oh, nice.”
“You should come with me.” He smirked. My eyes grew wide and before I could respond, he said, “I’m just teasing, but yeah, I’m gonna head out.”
“Oh, okay. Well, have a great night then.”
“I plan to.” He winked and then downed his cocktail. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Yep. I’ll be there for some time with the trainers.”
“Cool. Catch you later then.”
“See ya.” I watched Kingston start to walk away, and as he did, I caught myself looking at his perfect ass. A thought hit me, and I hurried to catch up to him. “Hey, give me your number so I can make sure you made it home.”
He smiled widely. “You want to make sure I make it home?”
“I’m the captain. I need to make sure all my guys are safe.” It was a lie, of course, but knowing Kingston was gay too, I thought maybe it would be good for me to have him as a friend rather than only a teammate.
Jonah and I had been super close before he died, and I missed having a close teammate I could hang out with. I’d never told Jonah I was gay because once I found out he was dating Hayden, I didn’t feel as though it was the right time to tell him. Then he died. But maybe I could eventually open up to Kingston and see what might happen.
Okay, and he was hot too with his blond hair and blue eyes. His sexy smile made me think he couldn’t hurt a fly, let alone my heart.
I handed him my phone, and he put his number in before giving it back to me.
“How about, if I don’t show up tomorrow, then you call in the cavalry? Don’t need you cock blocking me tonight.”
I burst into laughter. “All right. Deal.”
He turned and made his way to the exit. With the phone still in my hand, I went to my text messages without thinking.
I miss you
Knowing Kingston was likely to hook up with someone made me remember the nights I had spent with Ford. Before I could talk myself out of it, I replied:
I miss you too
I’d expected him not to reply or at least take some time, since it was after five in the morning in London, but he wrote back quickly.
I didn’t think you’d respond
Out at a club with the guys and your “I miss you” text hit me hard
I didn’t mean to mess with your head but I’ve been thinking a lot lately
