Square to the Puck (Offsides #2)

by J.J. Mulder

Part of me wonders if something is going on between them; this is also the part of me that wants to run Lawson over with my truck, so I do my best to ignore it.

“Take advantage of me, literally, any time.” He smiles, and I commit it to memory.

He clears his throat and I tear my eyes away, ashamed that he caught me staring. At his ankle, no less, like some Victorian era creep.

“And just to put it out there, I’d like to spend more time with you outside of work. So, I’ll be here as much or as little as you want me to be.”

“Here, my place, wherever. You’re the important part in that equation, not the location.”

“Nothing, I just like to look at you. I don’t know how you managed it, but somehow you got more handsome in the past six years, which is saying something because you were already beautiful back then.”

I smile against him. If I had my way, he’d have enough of his things here to never have to go back to the apartment, and then one day he’d realize that he’s been living here all along.

I don’t want you to regret me, tomorrow. “I wouldn’t regret anything. Not with you,” he says confidently.

“None of what you just said was a hardship for me, and you are worth it. I love you, you fucking idiot.”

I want to touch you in public, without wondering if it looks platonic enough. I want the freedom to kiss you anytime, anyplace. I want to marry you and invite the entire goddamn team to the ceremony.