7. Gabe
7 /
gabe
Sunday
I woke early, the ache in my muscles a sharp reminder of last night’s battle on the ice. Our first preseason game had been a bloody fight, with the Montreal Lynx—rebuilt at last—bringing everything they had. We managed to eke out a 4–3 victory, but it came at a high cost. The Lynx exploded out of the first faceoff and came at us like a freight train, tearing through our lineup with a ferocity I hadn’t seen from them in years. Playing like a team with something to prove, they held nothing back.
Although I stopped thirty-three of their thirty-six shots, I probably wound up with twice as many bruises. I was clobbered three times by players barreling into the crease, each hit knocking the net off its posts and rattling my bones. Logan had to leave the ice during the second period to get a nasty cut beside his eye stitched up. Aidan Riley racked up an incredible fourteen minutes in the sin bin, some of them after he fought two of the Lynx at the same time. Early in the third period, Jax Wyatt drew a game misconduct for beating the shit out of a Montreal defenseman who had boarded Harpy and then punched him square in the nose.
Our win came near the end of the third when the Lynx captain Fox Painter, trying to prevent a goal, tripped Holky. The refs awarded Holky a penalty shot, and with forty seconds left to play, he scored the winning goal. After the game, we celebrated with a quick drink before I went home and crawled into bed, exhausted.
This morning, with the cookout a few hours away, I walked to Riboldi’s Bakery for breakfast. Thanks to training camp’s crazy schedule, I still hadn’t met my new neighbors, so I bought a box of pastries to take them as a welcome gift. I stopped by their house on the way home and rang the bell. No one answered, but when a dog started barking inside, I knocked.
The lock clicked a moment later, and when the door opened, my heart kicked me in the ribs. Brody was standing there, dressed in gym shorts and a T-shirt, staring back at me. His hair was a mess, and I tried to figure out why he would be visiting my neighbors on a Sunday morning. Had he hooked up with someone who happened to live here? Even if he had, why would he answer their door? Confused, I couldn’t find a single word to say.
“Gabe?” He drew his brows together and blinked, clearly as surprised as I was. “How did you… Hi.”
He seemed as rattled as he’d been the day we met on the trail, and for a second, I was afraid he might shut the door in my face. Swallowing my surprise, I took a breath. “Hi, Brody. Um… what are you doing here?”
He glanced around like he wanted to bolt, then mumbled, “I… live here.”
The words took a moment to sink in, and then I laughed. “I live next door, so you’re my new neighbor? Small world, huh?”
He rubbed his cheek, looking like he was afraid I might start yelling. “I moved in a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t really had time to meet anyone yet.”
“Welcome to the neighborhood.” I held up the box of pastries. “These are from an amazing place over in the village, a little howdy-neighbor gift. I didn’t expect to be saying hello to someone I already knew.”
His eyes darted to the box, then back to me. After pressing his lips together, making me wonder what was coming, he simply said, “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s no trouble.” I kept my tone light. “Plus, Riboldi’s makes the best pastries in town. Figured it was a good excuse to introduce myself.” I offered him a grin, hoping it might cut through the tension that had him stiff all over. “You hungry?”
He hesitated, rubbing his stubbly jaw, and I wondered if he was trying to think of an excuse to beg off. After a moment, he shrugged and stepped back, opening the door wider. “Yeah, I could eat.”
“Great.” I followed him inside, instantly mesmerized by the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee. “Ah, you’re speaking my language. Coffee’s already on, I see.”
“Can’t start my day without it.” His voice was steadier as he led me into the kitchen, a bright room with gleaming granite counters and stainless-steel appliances.
I set the pastry box on a counter and held it open. “Take your pick. Trust me, there’s no bad choice.”
He hesitated before reaching for a sfogliatella, his thick fingers brushing mine in the process. The thrill of his touch shot up my arm, kicking my pulse up a notch. I wanted to hold his hand, maybe even lift it to my lips, kiss his knuckles, and place it against the side of my face.
“Thanks,” he said, then bit into the pastry. Closing his eyes, he hummed out a quiet moan that went straight to my balls. Unable to look away, I watched his lips while he chewed, almost moaning myself when I thought about how they’d feel if he was sucking me.
Needing a distraction, I grabbed a bombolone and cleared my throat. “How are you settling in? Like it here so far?”
“As much as I can tell. I’m still getting used to everything. New place, new team.”
“That’s a lot of change all at once. But the Warriors are a solid organization, and this is a good neighborhood—quiet and friendly.” I nodded in the direction of my house. “Well, except for the guy who hosts loud cookouts next door.”
A small smile finally broke through, and Brody chuckled. “Yes, I think I heard about him.”
“He’s a bit of a troublemaker.” I gave Brody a teasing grin of my own. “You probably remember he’s planning another one today. You’re definitely invited—again. Steaks, chicken, the works. It’ll be a great time.”
His lips turned downward. “Thanks, but I’ve been thinking. I haven’t done big gatherings for a while.”
I caught the uncertainty in his voice and realized he was holding back. Beneath his strong exterior and aggressive style on the ice, Brody was shy. More than that, he seemed fragile. Whatever happened in Boston, it had been big. I wanted him at the cookout, but pushing him beyond his comfort level would be dishonorable. It would also be counterproductive in trying to get him to trust me. “Hey, no pressure,” I said, then leaned a little closer like we were sharing a secret. “But so you know, I’m really hoping you’ll come. It’s not every day I get to hang out with my favorite new neighbor.”
He swallowed, his hesitation clear. After a moment, our eyes met, and I smiled. “I have it on good authority you’ll know some people there. And there’s this one guy… let’s just say he’s planning to save you a seat.” I raised an eyebrow, leaving the invitation open so he could decide.
His smile widened, spreading into nothing less than a flirty grin. A new light sparked in his eyes, and he snickered. “You may be the biggest charmer I’ve ever met. As it happens, I’d like to sit next to that guy who might save me a seat.”
“Okay, then.” I bounced my eyebrows. “I’ll tell him to keep his hands to himself, but I can’t make any promises.”
This time, Brody laughed out loud. “Fuck off. I can take care of myself if he gets out of control.”
We settled into an easy silence while we ate. Brody’s shoulders relaxed, and when he reached for a second pastry, I couldn’t help watching him take a slow, indulgent bite. His eyes fluttered shut again, and he let out a quiet, almost lustful hum as he savored it. The sound sent a rush of heat through me, filling my mind with a dozen other ways I wanted to make him moan like that.
Before I did something to spook him again, I glanced down at Otto, who was watching us. “How’s this little guy doing? He’s a dachshund, right?”
“Yes, a miniature. A bit of a barker, but he’s a good boy.”
Right on cue, Otto gave an enthusiastic “arf,” and I couldn’t help chuckling. “Has he adjusted to the move okay?”
“For sure. He’s always been a happy dog, so it wasn’t a big deal.” Brody tossed the last bite of his pastry to Otto, who devoured it and then licked the floor in case he’d missed anything. “He’s my best friend,” Brody added softly. The tenderness in his voice was a surprising contrast to the tough-as-nails defenseman image he projected on the ice. “Much better than a lot of people I’ve known.”
A shadow flickered across his face as the brightness in his eyes dimmed into a haunted look. The unexpected change made my chest tighten, and I felt an overwhelming urge to pull him out of it.
“My grandma had a doxie when I was young,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “I’ve always wanted one myself, but with my schedule, it would be tough. How do you manage it?”
“It’s a challenge, but he’s worth it.” Brody helped himself to a third pastry and broke off another piece for Otto. “I didn’t get him until after I stopped playing in Boston. He’s been great company, and I have a friend here who’s offered to keep him while we’re on roadies.”
My stomach dropped, and before I could think better of it, I asked, “Friend? Someone you’ve known long?”
Brody popped the last of the pastry into his mouth and took his time chewing it, clearly enjoying making me wait. Finally, he twisted his lips into a knowing smile. “She’s been my best friend since college.” Otto barked in protest, making Brody laugh. “Best human friend, anyway.”
I needed more information about this woman because “best friend” could mean different things. Was she a girlfriend or a normal friend? He watched me as I tried to find the words to ask, his puckish smile growing by the second. I cleared my throat. “Your best friend?”
His eyes glinted with mischief as his smile broke into a small grin. “Her name’s Emma, and she’s a platonic friend. I don’t have any other kind right now.”
“Good to know.” I leaned back slightly, trying not to let my shoulders slump in relief. “Just in case I need to.”
He tilted his head, obviously turning something over in his mind. “So, do you…?” His voice trailed off, leaving the question open.
“Nothing but platonic friends for me, either.”
His grin widened. “Good info to have.” He nudged my leg with his socked foot—not a kick, but a deliberate touch that made my heart skip a beat. “In case it comes up in conversation.”
My pulse quickened as we looked into each other’s eyes. This wasn’t simple flirting; it was territory marking, a dance of implications and possibilities. I leaned forward, keeping my voice low. “Do you think it might?”
The gleam in his eyes was not from mere amusement. His teeth briefly caught his lower lip, and as he tilted his head, he gently bobbed his eyebrows. “It might. You never know.”
We leaned on the counter, our gazes locked, sharing a silent conversation neither of us was ready to speak aloud. Otto flopped down and rested his head on my shoe. We might have stood there all morning if a car hadn’t roared by outside, honking its horn as if to remind the world it was there. We exchanged a grin but still didn’t move apart.
Out of the blue, Brody said, “It’s a nice day for it.”
“For what?” I almost added declaring our interest , but I thought better of it.
He laughed. “The cookout, dumbass. It’s supposed to stay pretty warm until Tuesday and turn cold then.”
“Oh, right.” My brain kicked into gear. “Speaking of the cookout, I should probably go set up. I really hope you come, Brody. I’d love to spend time with you.”
A flush crept across his cheeks, and he gave me a knowing smile. “Like I said, you’re a charmer. I’ll probably stop by.”
“Makes me happy to hear that.” Although I wasn’t in the mood to go, I needed to be at home when the caterers arrived. “I guess I should head out.”
He nodded, and when I turned and headed for the door, he fell in step beside me.
“Thanks again for the pastries,” he said. “ If I come over later, should I bring anything?”
“Only yourself. You’re still getting settled, so don’t worry about it.”
He looked nervous again. “All right. Well, thank you.”
We stopped at the door, our eyes meeting in a way that made it clear neither of us was ready to say goodbye. Wanting to keep the connection alive, I said, “If you need anything—advice on the best pizza in town, a friendly face, whatever—you know where to find me.”
A small smile graced his lips as he placed a hand on my side. “Actually, I do need something.”
His scent enveloped me as he stepped closer—clean and earthy, laced with the faint musk of sleep. It was intoxicating, pulling me forward as I instinctively sought more.
The air pulsed with the same charge I’d felt in the locker room, a spark that now flared into a wildfire, igniting a burst of desire that swept away every ounce of restraint. He narrowed his eyes, an invitation that had my heart hammering. I caught his gaze and licked my lips: Are you sure this is what you want?
He swallowed hard but didn’t step back. “Gabe.”
“Yes?” My voice dropped to a murmur, thick with need. Every nerve in my body seemed to hum with excitement. “You’re gorgeous, Brody. You make me imagine all kinds of things.”
“Fuck.” The curse escaped him, and his lips crashed against mine, fierce and insistent, like a storm that had been building for weeks.
A low growl rumbled in my chest as I wrapped him in my arms and pulled him close. He melted into the kiss, sliding his hands up my back and tangling his fingers in my hair. The sweetness of the pastries lingered, mingling with the heady tang of desire to send my senses reeling.
Our bodies pressed together, chest to chest, and his low moan vibrated against my lips when I deepened the kiss. My pulse hammered as our tongues met and his heat merged with mine. The moment turned raw, its primal intensity making me feel like I’d never kissed anyone until now. I ground my hard cock against his as he moved his hips. The electric pleasure was so powerful it wouldn’t have taken me long to come like that.
When we finally broke the kiss, we were gasping for breath, and neither of us moved. He remained pressed against me, one hand firmly behind my head and the other caressing my nape. Our eyes locked, and we held on, not ready to break the spell we’d cast.
“Gabe…”
“I want you.”
“Want you too, but…”
I was in no mood to hear a but , and my voice came out a low grumble. “What?”
“Let’s spend time together at the cookout, get to know each other a little before we pull that trigger. I don’t want…”
Since most of my blood was still in my dick, I was more confused than I should have been. “I thought you said you do want me.”
“Yes, but not like this. I don’t want to make a mistake and do something quick.”
He eased his grip on my head, and I couldn’t resist grinning. “Don’t want it quick, huh? I’ll take my time with you then.”
His cheeks, already flushed, turned crimson. “I… I… Fuck. ”
“Oh, you like that, I see.” I brushed my lips against his. “I won’t push you, but when you’re ready, I will be too.”
He nodded, and we reluctantly let each other go.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to lead you on. I want you. Please don’t doubt that.”
“Don’t be sorry. I have a feeling you’re worth waiting for.”
He grunted nervously. “You too.”
“See you at the cookout.” I gave him a nod, opened the door, and stepped into the sunlight. I hoped he’d show up for the party. He’d been as turned on as I was, but if I wanted a chance with him, I had to give him time to figure things out in his own way.
The evening sun cast a mellow glow over the backyard. The party was in full swing, and since it was a warm evening, everyone was outside. Warriors and their significant others were spread out across the lawn, some relaxing in chairs while others gathered near the grill, beer and wine in hand. The aroma of barbecued meat filled the air, and since I hadn’t eaten yet, my stomach growled.
Harper and Luca were over by the cornhole setup, bantering as they played against Logan and his date—a guy named Chaz I hadn’t met before. He seemed to be enjoying himself, laughing at Logan’s jokes and looking at him like he’d hung the moon. Harper’s easy grin and Luca’s playful nudges, along with their taunting gibes, told me they were as competitive in backyard games as they were in their respective sports.
I’d used the same caterers before, and they worked unobtrusively in the background, relieving me of the need to man the grill and take care of the hundreds of details of entertaining forty people. Jax’s wife Erica, along with some of the significant others, made the rounds, ensuring everyone had what they needed. It was exactly the kind of relaxed, laid-back event I’d hoped for.
I stood near the pool, half-listening as Holky told me about his latest adventure in serial dating—a dramatic reenactment of a woman’s over-the-top crying fit when she asked if they were exclusive and he told her no. Normally, I’d have been laughing my ass off, but tonight, my attention was elsewhere. I scanned the crowd, looking for Brody. He’d shown up late, slipping in quietly like he didn’t want to be noticed, and then promptly disappeared.
As Holky continued his story, I spotted Brody again, standing off to the side, near the edge of the pool deck. He was looking at me, but unlike at the rink, he didn’t glance away when I smiled. I pretended to listen to Holky and tried to think of a reason to escape.
I was relieved when Holky wrapped things up, and I excused myself with a pat on his back. Grabbing two beers, I headed toward Brody. He was looking the other way now, and I got close enough to catch the scent of his citrusy cologne without him noticing. “Hey, stranger,” I said, my pulse drumming as he jumped and turned toward me. I handed him the beer I’d brought for him. “Glad you could make it.”
He smiled, looking more comfortable. “Hi. Sorry I was late.”
“No worries. The party didn’t really start until you got here.” I leaned in and bumped his shoulder. “True confessions, I was hoping you hadn’t changed your mind about coming.”
“Not a chance.” He gave me a quick once-over, and his eyes were gleaming when he met mine. “You look awesome.”
I was glad I’d chosen the fitted jeans and slim-fit button-up shirt that made me look jacked. “You too. I love the way your blue shirt makes your eyes pop.”
He leaned closer, this time bumping my shoulder with his and making my breath hitch.
“Had anything to eat yet?” I asked.
He took a long pull at his beer and glanced at the food table after he swallowed. “No. I was kind of waiting for you.”
“Good deal. I was waiting for you too. What do you say we stick together?”
He released a long breath, and his shoulders relaxed. “I’d like that.”
“Let’s get some food then. I’m hungry.”
At the serving table, I pointed at some jerk chicken and gave him a mischievous look. “This has a kick to it. Up for something spicy?”
He blushed and gave me a sideways look. “I’m not afraid of a little heat.”
“Good to know,” I said. “Just in case.”
I watched him out of the corner of my eye while we filled our plates. His movements were small and deliberate, like he was trying not to attract attention, and I had a crazy compulsion to grab his hand and yell at everyone to be sure they knew he was here. He didn’t need to hide, not here and not with me.
“What?” he asked, brushing my arm with his. “Do I have something on my face?”
“Nothing but your whiskers.” Leaning closer, I whispered, “Can I kiss you? I’d like to see how they feel.”
He nearly dropped the steak he was moving to his plate and glanced at me. “Yes. No. Not now.”
“That’s a yes, then? For later?”
He snorted. “We’ll see.”
When I reached for a steak, Brody took his revenge and whispered, “You’d like a kiss somewhere, wouldn’t you?”
The steak fell out of the tongs and back onto the serving platter, making a big noise. He laughed, a low, happy sound that made me smile. “I can think of several places I’d like a kiss,” I said. “You have somewhere in mind?”
He snorted. “You’ll have to wait and find out.”
Is this the same man who’s been so shy and jumpy the last few weeks? I raised my eyebrows. “Looking forward to it.”
We turned our attention back to the food, and when we stepped away from the table, Logan appeared out of nowhere and tapped Brody’s arm. “Glad you made it, Tanner. Gabe behaving himself?”
Brody snickered and shot me a quick sideways look. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
“I hear that,” Logan said.
Fortunately, his date Chaz arrived and handed him a beer. After a sip of his pink drink, Chaz asked, “Ready to get dessert?”
The sweets table was on the other side of the yard, and I was glad they’d be out of our hair. “Try some of everything.” I looked at Logan, hoping he got the message. “It’s all delicious.”
Logan flashed a crooked smile and reached for Chaz’s hand. “Let’s go find some chocolate.”
I grinned at Brody, then nodded toward a quiet spot by the pool. “Should we take over that table?”
As suddenly as he’d started flirting, he hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude. You have a lot of people here.”
The doubt in his eyes hurt my heart. Brody was a young man in his prime, ridiculously handsome and a dominant athlete in his sport. He should be the center of attention, not standing here offering me an out so I wouldn’t have to eat with him. It was a painful reminder that even the strongest-looking men can carry deep scars.
“There are a lot of people,” I said, “and they’re perfectly happy taking care of themselves.” I brushed the toe of my shoe against his. “I invited you so we could spend time together. Will you please keep me company?”
He showed me a beautiful smile. “Okay. Let’s go.”
I placed a hand on his back while we walked, and a few guys glanced our way. I’d heard talk about Brody being standoffish, and they were probably wondering how I’d gotten through.
When we reached the table, we sat side by side. “Prime real estate,” I said. “Good view, close to the pool, and the best neighbor you could have.”
He chuckled. “I have to agree.”
A caterer brought us fresh beers, and Brody cut into his steak. My hands trembled as I picked up my knife and fork. I was more nervous than when I’d been on dates in high school, so I’d have to be careful not to spill my food while I ate. Under the table, our knees accidentally touched, and we left them where they were.
We fell into a back-and-forth of jokes and chirps, our smiles widening with each one. Gradually, the tension in his shoulders melted, and every shared laugh drew us closer together. His eyes found mine, then drifted to my lips.
I wanted to kiss him but thought better of it. I didn’t want to risk frightening him again, so it would be better to save that for when we were alone. “How long were you in Boston?” I asked.
“Two years. The Beanies drafted me when I was eighteen, but I spent two years at Michigan before I signed with them.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I didn’t like Boston.”
“Is Buffalo better?”
“Seems to be a big improvement. I’m catching on to Criswell’s system, and everyone has been friendly.” He twisted his mouth into a crooked smile. “Well, everyone except you.”
“The fuck?” I put a hand to my chest in mock offense. “I’ve been very nice.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, sure. Watching me all the time, randomly showing up at my house.”
“It wasn’t like I planned it. I didn’t know you lived next door.”
He tilted his head, looking unimpressed. “So you say.”
Refusing to back down, I matched his expression. “You already knew we were neighbors, didn’t you?”
He froze, and it took him a second or two to recover. “I’d figured it out. I was planning to come over and tell you today.”
Part of me was annoyed, but then I considered the demons he was dealing with. Though I didn’t know all the details, some of what I’d heard must have been true. I couldn’t imagine what I’d be feeling if the situation were reversed, but I’d certainly act strange too. Being understanding was definitely the right thing to do. “No sweat,” I said. “We’ve both been busy. Plus, you seemed to like it when I dropped by.”
His face relaxed, and he smiled again. “You had on some kind of magic potion. Smelled like trouble.”
“It’s called Essence of Gabe.” I couldn’t help grinning. “You liked it, eh?”
His smile didn’t fade, and I wondered if he might lean in for another sniff.
“As for watching you at practice…” I lowered my voice. “I only look because I can feel your eyes boring into me.”
Brody laughed, and his face brightened to a shade of red that accented his blue eyes. “Have to keep an eye on you so you don’t sneak up on me.”
“You can see me now.” I tapped his knee with mine. “What do you think? Want to go somewhere more private?”
He widened his eyes, not disguising the flash of interest. He made a crash-and-burn gesture with his hand. “Does that line ever actually work?”
I shrugged and played it cool. “You’d be surprised. I think you do want to disappear with me for a while.”
He bit back a grin before answering. “In your dreams, maybe.”
“Mm-hmm. Thought so.” I waited a few seconds before asking, “Are you usually this hard to convince?”
“Fuck off.” Snickering, he jabbed me with his elbow. “I’m definitely not that easy.”
“Aha!” I leaned closer. “So, you admit you’re easy. We’re debating over the degree of your accessibility.”
He laughed hard, rolling his eyes and elbowing me again. “No, no. If anyone here is easy, it’s you. You’d be happy to do it behind your goal, wouldn’t you?”
I gave him a deadpan look and shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”
He shook his head. “No shame, huh?”
“None.” I chuckled. “And it’s not like I’m the only one at this table thinking about things they’d like to do.” I leaned my knee against his again. “You’re very hot, you know?”
His cheeks flushed as he glanced away. When he looked back at me, our gazes locked. “You’re pretty distracting yourself.”
“Glad we’re on the same page.”
I touched his hand and rubbed it lightly. Electricity crackled between us, charged with everything we weren’t saying.
He shifted in his chair but didn’t lean away. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re different.”
“Different how?” I asked. “Good or bad?”
The color in his cheeks deepened. “I think you know the answer to that. I’d made up my mind to focus on hockey here, but you’re making it hard.”
The devil inside me reared his head, and I grinned. “I hope so. Pretty sure I did this morning. Want to do it again?”
He licked his lips, his eyes sparkling with a mischief I hadn’t seen before. “Unfinished business, I think.”
“Yep. I’ve been wanting to finish it all day.”
He took a shallow breath and held my gaze. “Me too. Maybe soon.”
“How soon?”
I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. After a moment, he cleared his throat and pulled his hand back, his voice a little unsteady. “Maybe we could find a quieter spot now.” Despite his obvious nervousness, his smile was soft and genuine. “Would you want to?—”
“Let’s go.” I stood, nodding toward the house. He walked beside me, and I focused on getting us inside before I touched him again.