Page 36 of Lucky Shot
And I’m falling right into it.
It’s been like two weeks, I’m getting way ahead of myself. I know that. Except that we’ve spenthourstalking. I think I’ve learned more about him in these last two weeks than I know about anyone on board this yacht that I’ve known for years. More than anyone on my team with which I spend almost every fucking day withmonths. Hell, I think I know more about Demi than I do my own parents.
Does that mean something? Is it one-sided or does he feel even a little of what I do?
It’s frustrating. Maddening. And makes my stomach flip so fucking much.
A knock on my door startles me. Max’s voice follows.
“Come on, Noah. We’re heading to shore for some ice time.”
I grin and slide from my bed. I’m actually dressed today, and it feels weird to be wearing real clothing. Almost three weeks and I’ve worn nothing but the equivalent of underwear. Fuck, most of the time my bathing suits have been less fabric than my underwear! I’m not even sorry.
Most of the paint has finally faded from my skin. The black lines are sticking around for the long haul, apparently. Now I just look like I have some strange disease. Oddly enough, it doesn’t discourage people from staring at me. I don’t even sense that it’s with disapproval or disgust.
Pretty boys are always pretty, apparently. It doesn’t matter what they have covering their bodies.
Picking up my bag, I head out of my room, this time taking my phone. It’s been nice to be mostly unplugged since getting on board. While I log into my game every night, I rarely pick up my phone to check messages or email or anything. It’s been so freeing. The weight that I’ve shed is surprising since I never considered myself as obsessed with being online as some people are.
The guys are heading toward the gangplank when I reach the deck and join them. Azure’s eerie light eyes track down my body as I move to his side, and he raises a brow when I stop by his side. “No sunscreen today?”
“We’re going to be indoors, right?” I ask.
He nods. “I suppose so.”
“I mean, if you want to rub me down with sunscreen, I’ll let you,” I tease.
There’s that beat before he responds. The one I haven’t seen much of lately. It’s like he’s deciding if I’m joking or not. I’m about to tell him I am when he answers.
“Later. I know how you look forward to it.”
While his tone isn’t what most would consider lending to humor, I grin because I know he’s teasing back. It feels like a win, though I’m not sure why.
We load into the bus waiting for us at the dock. Though the islands aren’t known for their hockey teams or many professional athletes originating here, I’ve found that the sports facilities are usually pretty nice.
“I can’t remember the last time I put skates on,” Gabe says.
I shift in my seat next to Azure to find that he’s got Roux in his arms. Literally. I grin when Roux meets my eyes, but when he rolls his, I know that it’s not the summer romance he was looking for. A fling maybe, which was the first thing he said he wanted.
Gabe seems like a nice enough guy. I haven’t talked to him a lot since I’m not the biggest fan of soccer, but he’s around here and there. While the ‘Gays Can Play’ agenda spans all sports, because of our schedules, we’re often just lumped with players from our own league. That’s not to say that we haven’t been thrown together with other sports when the occasion arises.
He has his arm around Roux’s shoulders, his forearms over Roux’s chest, where he has Roux tucked against him. Roux seems content enough as he watches everyone’s antics and discussion quietly.
I look around for Elixon, wondering what he thinks about it. He’s in the front of the bus talking to Jakub Bozik. For all appearances, he doesn’t seem to notice.
“You staying with Florida next season?” Azure asks me and I turn back around in my seat to talk to him.
“Yep. As far as I know. You staying with Vegas?”
Azure nods. “I’m kind of tired of Vegas. Not the team, but the city. The team is fine.”
“Kozlov’s on your team, right?” I ask. Azure nods. “Is he as funny as I think he is?”
Azure tilts his head. “How do you mean?”
“The few times I’ve been around him, he’s constantly poking fun at how Americans talk and our metaphors and whatever.”
“Ah. Yes, he does that. But he’s pretty quiet most of the time.” Azure glances out the window. “Which I suppose makes the times he speaks more humorous.”
