More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Asher wears a stoic scowl, and I can’t tell if it’s just his face or if he’s mad at something.
I’ve done comfortable. I want … zing.
Clothing is clothing. None of it should be feminine or masculine.”
He doesn’t look away. Just stares. And this shivery sort of awareness runs through me. “Zing,” he whispers before passing out.
Everyone is great and professional. They’re all cordial. And maybe it’s because I’m used to having friends like Oskar and Ezra, where insults are how they show affection, but this whole respectful encouragement I’m getting from everyone is freaking me out. There are drugs in the water in Seattle, aren’t there? Only explanation it could be. Actually, it’s probably because they’re so close to the Canadian border. All that politeness filters through.
I’m sure I want to have your babies is not something you’re supposed to yell at hot people.” “To be fair, you’re not supposed to yell that at ugly people either.”
Aleks … fuck. One kiss from him was enough to rearrange gravity,
Around Aleks, I’m completely out of fucking control. I hate it because when he fucks with me again, it’s gonna hurt. But watch me walk right into the fire anyway.
“Wait … are we … are hockey players not attractive in queer circles? Why does this feel like an abomination on society as a whole?” “Are you sure you want to go with queer people are an abomination?” I ask. “Anyone who doesn’t find me attractive, then yes.” Bilson pouts. “Only Bilson could be offended for not being attractive to someone he’s not even interested in,”
“I guess this means once we’re married with all those hypothetical babies, we won’t be getting them a cat.” “My house will be a dog zone only.” “Damn. But I’m a cat man.” “Oh no,” I wail. “I can’t believe you hid that from me. The betrayal. The shock. It’s like I don’t know who you are anymore.” “Our relationship is already doomed.” All of my self-control is going toward not rubbing my eyes, that the words come out before I can stop them. “For you, I could make an exception.” And I don’t even think I’m joking.
“How did that beautiful man’s face get so messed up?” “Cats. Also, you think he’s beautiful?” “I have eyes. Even as a straight man, I can appreciate a hunk.” Give me things baby bisexuals say for five hundred!
I let the dog come to me and sniff the air. He moves closer, and then closer again, until he’s close enough to lick my face. I gently pat him. “You remind me of my friend Tripp with your red hair. Though there’s only one man he licks.”
“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.”
I’d give Aleks whatever he wants at this point, and that’s the problem. I really am falling for him. I want to convince myself that this is fresh and new and that we have plenty of time to learn who the other is, but my heart is racing ahead of that. I’m not in control. There’s nothing calm and careful about the way my feelings are full speed ahead for him. It scares me. I should be smarter than that. I’m not.
never realized how much having this deep connection with someone could make every experience heightened. Like life on steroids.
“Everyone fucks up. It’s what makes us human. It’s how you handle the fallout that matters.”
“If there’s one thing you can always count on, it’s that I will never appreciate hockey the way you do.” Aleks pouts. “Every time you say that, a Zamboni somewhere dies.” “Good. Fewer machines to rise up against us.” “Those poor, widdle zam bams.” I pat his hand that’s holding my other one. “They’re in a better place. The big ice rink in the sky.”
“Me too. Which is why I’ll use everything at my disposal to try and come to Buffalo with you.” “You will?” The way his face lights up makes me realize I’ll call off sick if I have to. I’m going. I don’t give a shit. “After the last time you were all together, I think it’d be smart to have emergency response on-site at all gatherings.”
I just kiss him. Like we’re two men. Falling. Happy. Together.
“I’m sitting here, right now, with you … and I already miss you.”
His head tilts forward, and he rests his forehead against mine. He’s warm, solid, dependable. And I’m fucking screwed. Because I mean it. I already miss him, just knowing I have to work and he has to travel. If Aleks ever decides I’m not who he wants … that’s going to wreck me.
But if it’s shitty—and there will be shitty things because people can’t goddamn help themselves—then I don’t want to know. It’ll only make me feel like crap, and no offense to all those strangers on the internet, but … they have no right to have that effect on me.”
the more time Gabe and I spend together, the more he fits into that perfect-for-me box. He’s everything I want and everything I didn’t expect.
Little D’s partner, Kole, slashes at his throat. “Dude. Never let them know how much you hate the sport.” Little D lifts his head. “What?” “I love hockey, almost as much as I love you.” Kole wraps Little D in a hug and glances over at us with an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
Oh how I miss the Asher and Kole dynamic
“I take it back.” “Take what back?” “That I love you.” His lips purse, and he steps toward me, running his hands up my arms, from my wrists to my shoulders. “I’m pretty sure the I love you confession is a no-backsies kind of situation.”
You’re everything to me. What … what if I lose you?” “Then I also lose you. And that’s not something I’m going to let happen.”
“Are you a hockey player, or are you a hockey player?” He frowns at me, clearly confused. “I thought you guys played to win?” My lips brush his. “So play to win, Aleks.”
relationship that was supposed to be forever. And after all that, I imagine forever would be hard to promise someone again. So I’ll promise it for us both.
“Fuck, you’re perfect.” He pushes up so he can see me properly. The compliment bubbles in my postorgasm love haze. “Speak for yourself, little hockey player.” I lean in and whisper, “Zing.” His soft laugh brushes my lips. “How didn’t you run that night?” “I did.” Our eyes clash. “Right to you.”
I don’t need the piece of paper to tell everyone who I belong to.” He leans in and kisses my lips softly. “Because it will always be you.” And I will always belong to him.
