Goal Lines & First Times (CU Hockey, #3)

by Eden Finley

“And it’s a fact that queer people tend to gravitate toward each other even before they figure themselves out.

“Okay, hockey time is over now. I want to hear all about Vermont.” “I dunno. It’s Vermont. The foliage is great.”

“How come I can’t call myself dumb, but you can?” “Because I’m joking when I do it. You’re not.”

@confused96: Ah. You want to turn a bad boy good, huh? @scientistguy: Nah, I’d rather be corrupted.

Einstein: I saw a squirrel today. I think they’re my spirit animal. Richie: Eating nuts all day? Einstein: You wish. I meant because they seem so scattery and lost. Richie: That’s deep.

Einstein: I get the impression you’re a total dork. I like it.

“Thanks for the chat.” “Thanks for not hitting on me!” I laugh. “You’re welcome.”

Can you be possessive over someone you’ve never met? Apparently I can.

And now that I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s him, I’m going to be so fucking disappointed if it isn’t. Because Cohen? Oh, yeah, the attraction’s there.

What we have … what we could have, I’d face a firing squad if it meant I could be with him in this way.

My patience, even though it was tested, has come down to this—sucking off my friend’s brother in a hotel room.

“Are you gonna let me kiss you while I do it?” He brings his mouth to mine, just a breath away. “After. I told you I have a thing for watching.”

“I don’t understand,” Zach says. “Did he hit his head while we weren’t watching?”

“You look so fucking wrecked,” he whispers as he scrubs at the tears on my cheek with the side of his thumb.

What the hell is it about me that apparently screams queer?

“Should I be concerned that hearing you choke gives me an instant boner?” “Might be the weirdest Pavlovian response I’ve heard yet.”

“We might’ve found it entertaining that you had no idea kissing a guy is not hetero behavior, but actually acknowledging your sexuality? There’s nothing to mock about that. That only deserves support.”

“Are you going to play the dead parent card every time?” “While it works.” He smirks.

That’s when I hear, “Is everyone on this team fucking gay?” I break away from Seth and turn to Henrikson. “If we want to get technical, Jacobs is the only gay one.” Jacobs calls out as he walks past, “Nope. I’m bi again! I think.”

“I love him, but sometimes I really don’t like him.”

“It’s not as if I like resenting him. I still love him. It’s just … hard sometimes.”

“I don’t want to hold you back.” “Loving you could never hold me back.”

I can’t give him the world. But I can maybe give him this.

My future has arrived, and I’m not fucking ready.

“I lived for so long thinking I was broken, and then you came along and showed me that I’m valid, my identity is valid, and proved that with the right person, the right connection, I could have everything I was missing. I crave love and want to feel needed.”