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“Call me Quinn,” Ayri says. Asher adds, “He hates being called Ayri because his name rhymes with fairy.” “And thanks for bringing that up,” Quinn says. “I’m an orphan. You should revel in your childhood trauma like meeeee.” Okay, I really don’t know how to take Asher.
None of us want to do this—okay, Dex, the big puppy dog, does, and he jumps in to go next—but the rest of us are over it before we even pick our outfits.
“It’s a slapper dress,” Dex says excitedly. We all glance around at each other, trying to silently decide who’s gonna tell him. “It’s flapper,” Tripp says. “Good try though.”
He blinks up at me. “You’ve got the … the things.” He jabs at his cheeks. “Anton, quick, look. The stripper has the face things.” I share a bewildered look with Sanden. “Ah, dimples?” Sanden asks. “Dimples!” Ezra throws his hands in the air like he’s won the jackpot and staggers into the backyard, leaving the gate open for us to follow.
“You.” He points, and I’ll give him props, his finger is almost aimed in my direction. “You’re so hot. Why don’t the supermodels I look date like you?”
Aleks, now planted in his chair, turns and looks up at me with big eyes. “I’d have your babies.” And I’m assuming that was meant to be quiet, but he fucking shouts it.
He doesn’t look away. Just stares. And this shivery sort of awareness runs through me. “Zing,” he whispers before passing out.
Their smiles widen. “I’m Sanden. This is Gabe.” Gabe. My dream man has a name.
A loud thump breaks me out of my search, and when I glance up, my nerves shoot into my throat. There, on the other side of the glass, is Aleks, shit-eating grin in place. “What? We’re not interesting enough for you?” he taunts.
He swings his hockey stick around, scoops something up, and then flings. What feels like a snowball hits my head as shards of ice slip down the back of my shirt. My neck practically turtles into the jersey, and when I glance back up at Aleks, jaw hanging open, I’m a mixture of amused and in shock. He holds his arms out to the side. “Do I have your attention now?”
“Damn.” Aleks slaps his helmet, bright eyes fixed on me, and only snaps out of it when his team starts to leave the ice. “I gotta go. You better watch me.” “Why the fuck do you think I’m here?”
“Did I see the firemen guys in the stands?” he asks. “Yep.” “Ah. Is that why you’re playing so shit? Because your future husband is watching?” “Excuse me, it’s future father of my babies. I’m never getting married again. Get it right.”
“You are an abomination to the manwhore crown I gave you! I bestowed greatness upon you, and you … you … For shame.”
But as I walk into that club, my gaze ping-ponging all over to find my guy, my eyes finally land on a booth where he’s sitting there watching me. His muscles, his cocky smile, the nest of mess that is his hair … Suddenly, this type of adrenaline rush is all worth it.
Before I can say a thing, Oskar dives off his seat and onto the floor beside us. “Jesus.” I jump up to help him to his feet. “Aleks,” Oskar snaps. “If you wanted to sit next to Gabe, you could have said—you didn’t need to manhandle me. Only Lane gets to do that.” Then before I have a chance to catch up, Oskar shoves me into his vacated chair and drops into mine, looking entirely too proud of himself. I glance over at Sanden. “And you said I’m not subtle.”
He’s so fucking hot. Cute. Jumping from confident to uncertain and back again in a way that’s got my interest.
Aleks … fuck. One kiss from him was enough to rearrange gravity, and it kinda sucks to know I couldn’t do that for him.
I’m not a small guy, but compared to Gabe, who’s taller and wider, he eclipses me. If I had my skates on, we’d be the same height, but I think I like this. He lowers his head, touching his forehead to mine, and yeah, I really like that he’s bigger than me.
Slow and steady. Slow. And. Steady. “I’m going to turn you inside out, wreck you, and still have you begging for more.” I throw my head back. “Fuck, please kiss me again.”
“I’m more than happy with this arrangement. You know why?” “Why?” Gabe leans in, touching his soft lips to mine. “Because if we knock off all the bases in one night, I’ll have to come up with a different excuse to see you again.” Best answer ever.
“Wait … are we … are hockey players not attractive in queer circles? Why does this feel like an abomination on society as a whole?”
I’m working. There’s absolutely no chance of orgasms here. Hell, we won’t even get to make out like we did at the station, but I called him anyway. Because he’s leaving for eight days, and this is my last desperate chance to see him before he goes.
My hand closes over his thigh. “Hey, Aleks?” “Yeah?” “Eat fast.”
I want more. More of him. More of us. I just want … more.
“You know the great thing about agreements? They can change. Communication, man. It’s important.”
He has his hand on my thigh while I drive, and I fucking love it. It’s possessive and affectionate, and it might be my newest favorite thing he does.
“Come to every game.” “You like showing off for me or something?” “Or something. You could cheer a little harder for your guy though.” Your guy. Fuck. Butterflies. I press into the kiss to avoid having to answer him, caught off guard by what those words are doing to me.
I pinch his side and make him squirm. “I’m sorry I caught feelings for you.”
“He and his boyfriend said that I’d fall for the first guy I slept with.” Aleks makes a buzzing noise. “You’re it.” “You’re falling for me?” His gorgeous bluish-green eyes meet mine. “I’m trying really hard not to think about it, if I’m honest.” My voice drops to a whisper. “Think about it.” “I have, and I’m scared.” That’s all I need to know. “So am I, but the fear outweighs how good it could be.”
Then I’m looking up into the murderous face of my boyfriend. He pounds the glass again, then points at Madden. “Don’t you dare!” The side of his fist hits the glass, and after a moment, he turns his stare on me. “Touch my boyfriend and see what happens!”
“I want you.” He smiles. “Then go tell them you have me.” I have him. And I intend to keep him.
“I’m sitting here, right now, with you … and I already miss you.” Aleks turns, those gorgeous green eyes finding mine. “Yeah. Exactly like that.” My thumb strokes his stubble. “I know.”
“Okay, so you’re ending it, then. Got it.” Gabe turns to walk away, but he pauses when I yell out to him. “I’m in love with you!” Okay, that got everyone’s attention. He slowly turns back but doesn’t make a move to come back closer to me.
