Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)

by Rachel Reid

“It’s fucking creepy.” “Is hot, though, yes?”

“God, fuck you. Why was that so hot?” “Because you like to be bad, Shane Hollander.”

next to him and waited. “I wish I had been drafted by a Canadian team,” Ilya said. “What? Why?” “It would make things easier.”

But good god, now Ilya was imagining that. Playing together, living together, being together. It was never going to happen.

“Yes. Listen. These women, they are so sexy and fun, but is no matter. I cannot stop thinking about this short fucking hockey player with these stupid freckles and a weak backhand.”

“Yes. And he is just so boring and he drives a terrible car and...that is my problem. All of these beautiful women and I am always wishing they were him.”

“Don’t marry Svetlana,” Shane blurted out. Ilya raised an eyebrow. “Just...don’t. I know it wouldn’t be...for love or whatever. But don’t. I couldn’t—we can figure something else out, okay?” Ilya looked surprised, but he nodded. “Okay.”

Shane smiled shyly at him, and Ilya grinned back, and they both sat there, smiling stupidly at each other while they thought about the possibility of one day.

“You play for Ottawa, I play for Montreal. Those cities are two hours apart. We start a charity together, you and me. Something that benefits both cities. So now people see us working together on something. We make up some story about how I approached you with this idea, and—”

“Yes. And also we are fucking each other. Any questions?”

“I love you.” Shane froze. And then Ilya froze. “Holy shit,” Shane whispered. It wasn’t how he had meant to respond. “I...” Ilya’s eyes were so wide and so scared. “I love you too,” Shane said.

“Does it...does it feel like agony for you too?” Ilya started to nod, then stopped. He shook his head slowly instead. “Not anymore.”

“I want to be in your lap when you fuck me. Facing you. Holding you. I...ahh. Fuck, yes...”

“I was just thinking.” He propped himself up on an elbow. “The charity we start, I think we should start a hockey school. Like, we could have summer hockey camps in Ottawa and Montreal.”

“I...thought about you...fucking me. Outside. On the deck. Or...against a tree.” His face flushed bright red, but Ilya smiled. “Fuck, Hollander. You only had to ask.”

“I have been with lots of women. That was not...fake. But...” He looked at Shane, and Shane held his breath. “I have only been in love with one person.”

“Since their rookie season,” Shane heard his mother say. “I can’t believe it.” “Looking at them now, I kind of can,” his father said.

“Now? My head is racing! How can you even be thinking about sex right now?” “Because it is a beautiful day. And we are alone. And I met your parents. And I want you to calm the fuck down. And I love you.”

He was going to give it all up for this chance at something lasting. For the chance to hold the heart of the beautiful man who was exhaling Ilya’s name like it was the most important word in the world.

“And I will say, ‘Shane Hollander, will you please marry me so I can become Canadian citizen faster?’”

Ilya chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “Let’s go to bed.” “It’s four in the afternoon.” “Yes, but when I am done with you it will be bedtime.”

“Hi, Hayden,” Ilya said, grinning. “I still don’t like you, Rozanov,” Hayden said. “Oh no!” Ilya mocked him. “How can I impress Montreal’s fifteenth best player?”