Role Model (Game Changers, #5)

by Rachel Reid

Coach squinted at the bench, where several players were gathered and laughing animatedly. “Oh Jesus. They’ve got a puppy.” Rozanov stepped onto the ice with Chiron bundled snugly in his arms. “He wants to try out.” “Ten minutes with the puppy.” Coach’s voice was stern, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. “Then we’ve got work to do.”

He noticed a second tattoo, less famous and probably more recent, on Ilya’s arm, near his shoulder. It was a bird of some sort. A loon, maybe. Kind of a weird choice.

Maybe he should ask Ilya for Shane Hollander’s number. Shane was a fucking babe. The thought made Troy smile, and that was at least something.

“Sorry. I’m just a little, um, out of my element here.” Kyle’s eyebrows shot up. “First gay bar?” “Uh, yeah. Actually.” “Don’t worry. As long as you leave by midnight. That’s when the floor opens up to reveal the sex pit.” Troy’s laugh was a little less nervous this time. He liked this Kyle guy.

“I am not most hockey players.” There was an edge to Ilya’s tone. “And I have not ever said I was straight.” Troy stopped walking. “What?”

“So, you’re not straight?” Troy asked carefully. “I am bisexual. It is not anyone’s business, but, yes.” “I heard the rumor that Shane Hollander is gay. I don’t know if it’s true, but...that’s what I heard.” “Did you.” Something clicked in Troy’s head. “You guys are close, huh?” Ilya started walking faster. “That is enough sharing for tonight, Barrett.”

Ilya’s head shot up, eyes burning with shock and indignation. “Then Chiron would have been on the plane. What the fuck, Harris? He would have been so scared!” Harris put his hands up. “I was just saying. A puppy would be nice right now.”

“I am fucking tired of losing,” Ilya said. “Enough. We are going to win this game tonight, and we are going to keep winning. We are going to fill every seat in this fucking arena. We are going to surprise everyone and we are going to the playoffs this year. Not next year. Not in the future. This fucking year.”

“I’ve been fantasizing about taking you apart,” Troy said. There was no way any of this was real. It was too good. “You have?” “I want to give you whatever you need. Will you let me?”

Troy looked at him seriously. “I honestly don’t know how I would have dealt with anything this season without you.” Oh. Harris managed a shaky smile. “Happy to help.” “I know. It’s one of the things I love about you.” His eyes went wide. “I mean—thanks.” He jogged away before Harris could reply.

Shane Hollander shoved Ilya hard against the glass, and Troy almost laughed at the way Ilya was grinning about it. Ilya shoved Hollander back, which made Hollander’s linemate, Hayden Pike, step in.

“Fabian! I did not know he was in town.” “You know him?” Ilya stared at Troy like he was an idiot. “Yes. He is Ryan Price’s boyfriend. Ryan Price who coaches at my camps.” “Right. I forgot.” “I saw Fabian play once,” Ilya said. “In Montreal. He is very good. Very...pretty.” “Oh yeah?” Ilya grinned. “Fabian and Ryan is like Beauty and the Beast. Wait until you see.”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” Harris said dreamily, “but I’m a bit aroused.” “I noticed.” “Okay. Just making sure.” Troy’s lip curved up in one corner, then he pulled one of Harris’s hands to his lips and kissed his palm. “Little lower,” Harris quipped. Troy kissed the inside of his wrist.

“Let me get some pets in before Rozanov sees—” Wyatt was cut off by a banshee scream coming from Ilya’s stall. “What the fuck, Harris? Why is he huge?” “Dogs grow, Roz.” Ilya had already crossed the room and was kneeling next to Wyatt, bumping the goalie out of the way. “Chiron! You are such a big boy now! You are like two Chirons!”

“This is completely unfair,” he murmured. “What?” “This!” Harris waved a hand over Troy’s body. “Tell me you have a spare jock at home.” Troy smiled wickedly. “Why? You got a fetish for hockey gear?” “Uh, yeah.” Harris said it like it was obvious.