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“I love you, Kole. I really, really love you.” “You’re only human.”
The surprising thing is, though, Asher is with some of his teammates talking. His usual snarl is missing, and he might even be smiling slightly. Holy shit, hell has frozen over. “Aww,” I can’t help saying. “He’s making friends.”
“Kole! Did you take a hit to the head, sweetie?” “Should I be offended?” Asher’s voice is dry.
He’s so attractive it should be illegal. I swear the more I see him, the hotter he gets.
“Stop staring at his ass.” Katey giggles. “There isn’t a single part of me that wants to stop doing that.”
“Do you think he’s as sadistic as his dad? Should we be scared?” “Please. Kole is a kitten.” A sexy kitten. No, wait, that’s weird.
It’s the first time since last season when Cohen and I raced each other to score a hat trick that I’ve truly had fun on the ice.
It’s already happening. Kole is prioritizing helping me instead of his studies.
Oh, I am so going to be selfish.
“Ooh, one of my hottest fantasies is about to come true.” Kole grabs the steering wheel. “Crashing a Zamboni and damaging school property is one of your fantasies?” “No, but Zamboning on ice is.” I rotate my hips a little. “Road Head On Ice? The next Disney show?”
“You. Are. A dick.” “No, you want to see my dick.” I grin. “There’s a difference.”
“Let’s start there, then.” “Or …” He sinks to his knees and buries his face into my crotch, and well, mm … “Fair argument.”
Because if we want to talk asses, Asher’s is divine. The thought of sliding my cock between those big, round cheeks makes my head spin.
Maybe this should feel weird, being so exposed to someone I know, but being friends outside of the bedroom seems to make it that much better. The pleasure is heightened, each touch is more confident, and the constant teasing and sexual tension makes it explosive when we finally move as one.
“I’m starting to forget why I like you.” “Because I’m your friend, I help you study, and I put you in really awkward situations like this one.” “You’re the bestest friend ever.”
Rhys laughs. “I think you’re getting the hang of this parenting thing.” I shudder. “Eww, dude. I’m not and never will be your parent.” My brother’s face falls slightly, and he looks disappointed. “I mean that because you’re my kid brother, and I love you. I don’t want to be your parent. I’d rather be the guy you come to if you’re ever in trouble, and I want you to trust me, okay?
Professor Fuckstain asks. His name is Eckstein, but that’s hard to remember. Fuckstain suits him more. And his personality. It’s a shame because he’s pretty hot for someone in his thirties. He looks ripped underneath his tweed jacket, a contrast of hunky covered in nerdy clothing.
“How is he?” I ask, like I haven’t heard everything. “Unfortunately, he’s still an asshole, so I think he’ll be fine,” Beck says.
“Back in the hotel room, there should be no bright lights, so he can’t be on his phone. No watching TV. And … no physical activity.” Physical activity? My gaze flies to Asher, and he smirks like yeah, not a smartass now. “So when you say physical …” “He needs to rest. No game tomorrow, no practice …” Beck eyes me. “And no sex.” “What?” “What?” he asks innocently. “I know what happens at these away games. I was a player too, remember?”
“Lucky, you say.” Asher nudges me. “You’re a pain in my ass.” “I will be.” I bounce my eyebrows, and it makes him laugh. He also doesn’t deny it which is interesting.
Was it frustrating our sex plans went to shit because of a stupid nonexistent head injury? Yes. But at the same time, the way he slept next to me … took care of me … my chest warms, and I know I should hate that feeling, but I strangely don’t.
“Fuck, thank you. Thank you so much.” Without thinking, I lean forward and press my lips to his.
“What happens if I get them all right again?” His hazel eyes turn my way. “What were you thinking?” I lean in and whisper, “Really awkward anal in the back of my car.”
Still not going to look up. It’s not my business. None at all. Nope. My gaze flickers upward. Damn it.
“You can go out with whoever you want.” As long as their name starts with A and ends in sher.
Kole wraps his long fingers around my cock while I go for his belt buckle, but he shakes his head. “I don’t need it. You’re so fucking hot.” He ruts against my hip.
“This weekend can’t come fast enough.” “Unlike me, right? That was pretty fast.” “That’s not something you should be bragging about, but sure, buddy. Good job.”
He launches himself into Asher’s arms and knocks him straight over. Hades is barking like a madman at all the attention, and Asher’s having a hard time keeping the dog’s tongue off his face. “He’s a terrible judge of character,” I say when I finally walk up the path. “Like his owner?”
A whine comes from Hades, and I glance down as he starts to hump Asher’s leg. “Aw, another thing he gets from his daddy,” Asher says, pulling away.
Right before she puts her headphones back on, she looks back up at me and says softly, “I like that he has a friend.”
“Could you save annoying her for when West is here? Please.” Rhys scowls. “I was bored.”
“Tomorrow. Away game. Condoms.” “Still have the box packed.” He hesitates. “The whole box?” His tone reminds me of that growly little voice he had when Tray was talking to me at the library. I think I like it.
But as I meet his gaze, and those hazel eyes fill with heat, there’s no doubt in my mind that Kole’s only in this for the sex. He’s too smart to fall for someone so … damaged. It’s a shame, really, because our chemistry is on fire, and I actually like him. I don’t like many people. Sure as shit don’t get along with a lot.
Too late now. He’s already got me hooked.
“If this is how you are at fitting things into holes designed for that purpose, we’re gonna have some problems.” I burst out laughing, but then I realize I’m nervous. Why the fuck am I nervous?
I’d never underestimated how good it would feel with Asher inside me, but I didn’t realize how quickly I’d become addicted to it.
Seeing Asher like this, open and relaxed, really highlights how far we’ve come as friends. And sure, the sex has something to do with it, but beyond that, it feels like we’ve actually connected. He’s not a pet project, and I’m not a means to pass his tests and stay on the team. We actually enjoy each other’s company. Not that Asher makes it easy sometimes.
“So what is this, then?” “You’re there and convenient. And hooking up with you is obviously helping me win games.”
Asher said himself no one wants to look out for him, but I do, and screw him if he thinks I’m not going to be there for him after something like that.
“Maybe you should become a shrink instead of an MD.” “Nah, why listen to people whining all day when I have you for that?”
I try for a laugh. I really do. In fact, I think it starts as a laugh, but then all at once, it collapses into uncontrollable sobs. Kole doesn’t hesitate. He steps into my arms, which only breaks the dam, and buckets of tears fall from my eyes. “I’m here,” he whispers. “We can talk, I can just hold you … whatever. Just let it all out.”
I know we can’t stay like this forever, but fuck, I want to. Right here and now, there’s only Kole, me, and a whole mountain of baggage I can’t let anyone else see. If Kole wasn’t so … Kole, he wouldn’t see it either.
Being in his arms is the safest place I’ve felt in a really long time. As long as he keeps touching me, I think I’ll be okay.
“I wished it was me,” I mumble. “What?” “When Dad and June died, I wished it was me.”
“It sounds like you’re suffering from a very complicated and rare disorder.” I turn my head. “What?” His lips turn up at the edges. “Grief.”
“Like I said, two sides, one coin. You do know why he’s like that, right?” “Because he thinks he’s better than me?” Kole full-on laughs now. “Why do you act the way that you do? Why do you act like a dick to your own teammates?” I don’t want to admit it aloud. Because I don’t want them to see I’m broken and fragile. “They see you the exact way you see West. He acts strong because he feels he needs to so your family can grieve and move on without falling apart. He’s trying to hold it together for all of you even if he’s broken up inside.”
“Because you’re not this big tough no emotions guy. I’ve known that from the first night I met you and you were freaking out over your missing little brother. You’re not an asshole no matter how much you want people to believe you are.” I didn’t know I needed to hear that until this moment. Kole sees me. Really sees me.
I cross the room and throw my arms around my stupid big brother. “I love you. You’re a great brother, and you’re doing a great job.”
“And he pointed out how much you and I are alike, and well, I thought you might need to hear that you’re not alone and you aren’t screwing it all up.” I see the moment all the tension and stress leaves West’s stance.
West comes closer and hugs me this time. “And I love you too.”
