Spinning to the Goal (Desert Ice Hockey #4)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ACE

A lmost a week had passed since the big upset that had brought me closer to Zoma, and I stood at my stall in the locker room, sliding my slacks up my legs. We’d had a hell of a game and won in a shootout tonight. I’d let two goals slip by me. I had to do better if I was asking the Coyotes to take a look at me when they already had a second for Sampson.

Myles shrugged into a deep-blue suit jacket. “Hey, have you heard anything from Archer about…you know?” He looked around us.

“No.” I buttoned my shirt and slipped into my jacket.

“Hey, Ace, can you come with me?” Coach Meadows stood at the entrance to the locker room.

“Yeah, sure.” I flicked a glance at Myles and then at Tyler, who’d turned from his stall. “Be right back.” I stalked off with Coach and followed him into the small conference room. Shit, not again. If this wasn’t the Coyotes scout, my answer would be no. And why the hell hadn’t Todd called me about this already?

A man with salt-and-pepper hair sat in a chair at the head of the table, his gray suit fitted to his slender body. He leaned forward and laid his forearms on the table, threading his fingers together.

“Mr. Keller, this is Ace McAdams.” Coach pulled a chair out for me and closed the door behind us.

With an extended hand, Mr. Keller said, “Ace, nice to meet you.”

Shaking his hand, I said, “Same.” Who the hell was this guy? I dropped into my chair.

“Mr. Keller is with the Coyotes.” Coach turned a wide smile on me. “What he’s here to talk to you about is sensitive, so we need to keep this between us.”

As my heart flip-flopped, I said, “Does my agent know about this?” Or were they orchestrating this behind his back?

“He does. I spoke to him earlier today. He didn’t want you to be distracted at the game tonight and knew I’d be here, so he didn’t feel the need to talk to you first.” Mr. Keller opened a laptop resting on the table in front of him. “I know Archer Carlson and Mason Hopkins are close friends of yours.” Studying the screen, he rubbed his chin. “You all played very well together when you were here at ASU.” His gaze flicked to mine. “And now you still have Tyler Hodge on defense.”

He sat back in his chair. “Tell me, Ace. Detroit is interested in you and would pay you top dollar. They’re a good team, even a contender for the Stanley Cup this year. And yet you’re looking to stay in Arizona to play with your old teammates?”

My pulse hammered out of control. Shit, I wasn’t prepared for this. Fucking Todd should have warned me, but he had a point. Would I have given up more goals tonight if I’d known this was coming? I straightened my shoulders and cleared my throat. “Yes, I want to stay here. Not everything is about money, and I believe with all of us playing together again, next year, the Coyotes would have a good chance at winning The Cup.” I locked my gaze on his. Maybe I sounded a little too cocky, but it was what I believed.

With a slow nod, Mr. Keller said, “Okay.” He pursed his lips. “I know you’ve been told about Sampson. He’s…” He fingered the edge of his laptop. “We think he’s going to need surgery, but we’re trying to get him to play out the season first.” He tsked. “It’s a shame, really, but the second we contracted last year, Stoll, hasn’t hit his stride, and the coaches are concerned.” His attention drew to me. “What if we took you on as Stoll’s second next year? Is it something you’d consider?”

My chest squeezed. Fucking hell, take a salary hit and not be the starter next year? What the fuck? When Stoll was in college, the guy was a mess. He was either on it or a fucking sieve. I fisted my hand over my thigh and tensed my mouth. “Yes, I’d accept that.” I’d find a way around it. I’d prove to them they had to play me.

“Okay then. I guess we’ve got some things to consider. I’ll be getting back to your agent, Mr. Daniels, if we decide to go with you.” Mr. Keller looked me up and down. “You’re a good goalie, Ace. We’ll see how things play out.”

“Thank you, sir.” I’d be calling Todd as soon as I got into the parking lot. I stood and held out my hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Leaning over the table, Mr. Keller shook my hand. “Likewise.”

“I’ll walk you out, Ace.” Coach Meadows rose and opened the door for me.

I stepped into the hallway, my head spinning. What the hell had I just agreed to? Did I really want it? I breathed in deeply. I could stay here, but what if Stoll pulled his head out of his ass and I ended up being a duster and watching the games from the fucking bench?

“Ace.” Coach strolled next to me through the hallway and stopped. “Hey.” He pulled on my arm. “Is this something you really want to do? Detroit will play you. They’re a great team with a winning history.”

With a huff, I hung my head. “I know.” I planted my hands on my hips. Why couldn’t this be easy? Why did life always have to be so complicated? “Let’s see what they come up with. I haven’t signed an offer yet.” I’d be taking a much closer look at Detroit. Even if I didn’t get to stay here and play with my best friends, at least I’d have Zoma by my side.

After getting my duffel and waving off Tyler and Myles, I strode to the parking lot, climbed into my truck, and slid my phone out of the breast pocket of my jacket. I was supposed to be meeting with Zoma at his place, but I had to talk to Todd first. I called his number.

The phone rang once and picked up. “Ace. I knew you’d be calling me.”

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I dropped my wrist over the top of my steering wheel, blowing out a breath.

“If I’d told you the Coyotes were interested in you as a second for Stoll, how the hell would you have focused on the game tonight? As it was, ASU barely pulled out the W.”

“It wasn’t all my fault. Fucking Neuman was off. The guy didn’t even score tonight, except for the shootout.” I gazed at the nearly empty parking lot, the moon lighting up the spindly desert trees. Now, I was fully in a foul mood, but I knew Zoma would lighten my spirits.

“Anyway, what did you tell Mr. Keller? Did you agree to what they had to offer?” he asked.

“Yeah, fuck, I did.” I shook my head. God, this sucked. “It didn’t feel like I had a choice. I want to stay here, but…” I slumped in my seat.

“You don’t have to make any decisions right now. Just let it all sink in, and you’ll be in Detroit next weekend. See what their organization is all about. You never know. You might just like it,” he said.

“Yeah, guess you’re right.” As a soft ache crept through my chest, I pinched my lips. I had to get used to the fact that I very well may be living in Detroit next year. And if I was, maybe I’d be in the finals? Maybe I’d be on a winning team? “I’ll think about it, and let me know if you hear anything, anything at all.” I didn’t want to be blindsided again. But yeah, he was right about tonight.

“Sure. As long as it’s good news or not a game night.” He chuckled. “You have fun tonight, Ace, and don’t get too drunk.”

“I won’t. I’m going to my boyfriend’s house.” I smiled. Yeah, Zoma would make it all better.

“All right. Talk to you soon,” he said and ended the call.

I parked in the lot at Zoma’s apartment complex and strolled to his door. What was he making me for dinner tonight?

The door flew open and Zoma, dressed in my jersey and skinny jeans with holes at the knees, came running at me. “Hey, baby.” He jumped into my arms and hooked his legs around my waist, planting a hard kiss on my lips. “You won tonight.”

I held him up by his gorgeous ass. This is how it was between us now, both all in, both on the same page. “We did, but not by much.” I glanced over his beautiful face, his gelled messy brown hair surrounding his pretty blue eyes with a hint of eyeliner. “You look so good, Zoma.”

“Yeah? It’s all for you.” He shifted, and I let him down. Snatching my hand, he tugged on me. “Come on, I’ve got steaks and baked potatoes cooking.”

“Damn, that sounds great.” I let him guide me into his place and noted the open beer can on the table. “That for me?”

“It is.” He picked it up and handed it to me. “You’re a little later than I expected…” He sauntered into the kitchen and opened the oven door.

The scent of steak filled the room, and my stomach grumbled. I’d barely eaten any of the post-game snacks before I’d hit the showers. I wanted to be hungry for this. “I had a meeting with a scout before I left.” I sipped the beer.

“A scout? Did the guy from Detroit come back to see you?” He plated the steaks and potatoes and brought everything to the dinette, already set with silverware and an open bottle of red wine.

“No, this was a scout from the Coyotes.” I still didn’t know how to feel about the situation. Dropping into a chair, I said, “They’re interested, but I might not be starting next year if I sign with them.” My chest wound tight. It didn’t sit right with me.

“What?” Zoma poured wine into his glass. “Are they keeping their current goalie?”

“No, it sounds like he’s going to need surgery after this season, so he may be out for a while.” I picked up my knife and fork and cut into my steak. I didn’t need to remind Zoma that the conversation was confidential. “So, they want to play their current backup, Stoll, and sign me to back him up.” I stuffed a bite of steak into my mouth. It was tender and juicy with a hint of garlic, maybe Worcestershire? “I don’t know what to do, Zoma.”

He buttered his baked potato and set his silverware on his plate. “If you’re backing up this other goalie, will they play you?” He furrowed his brows.

“Not much. Only if his game’s off or if he’s injured.” I twisted my lips. “But knowing this guy, his game might be off as much as it’s on. At least when he played in college, he was hit or miss.” I drank more beer and then dressed my potato with butter and sour cream.

After drinking some wine, he said, “Ace, you need to go where you’ll be happy, and I don’t think sitting on the bench and watching Mason and Archer play from the sidelines is going to make you happy.” He hooked a brow. “Right? And what would that do to your career? You have to think long-term.” Raising his chin, he said, “As a figure skater, if you’re out of competition too long, you get forgotten, and it can be a death sentence for your career.”

“You have a point.” I sighed through a long breath. “Fuck, this is bullshit. Why aren’t they seeing I can outplay Stoll any day of the week? My college stats way outperformed his.” I took a few gulps of beer. I needed to calm down. “Maybe I’ll give Archer a call and see if he can find anything out. I wonder if they’ve done something with Stoll to improve his game?”

“Talk to Archer.” He placed his hand on my forearm, resting next to my plate. “But talk to him in the morning after you’ve slept on this.” He ticked his brows at me. “I know how to make you forget all about it tonight.”

My dick twitched in my slacks. “Yeah?” Shit, I should have changed as soon as I walked in the door, but dinner had distracted me.

“Yeah.” He stood, unfastened his jeans, and kicked them off, exposing a sexy and thin jock underneath. As he dropped my jersey to his thighs, he said, “How’s that?” He sat in his chair with his legs spread wide and the jersey barely covering his junk.

“Holy fuck.” My dick lengthened and pulsed behind my zipper, and I swallowed hard and adjusted it. “I think you made me come a little bit.”

“Good, eat up.” He flicked his tongue around his lips and focused on my mouth.

“Yeah.” No more talking. I cut more steak and ate as fast as I could.

After dinner, I changed into my sweats and watched Zoma pad around his kitchen, cleaning the dishes. I stepped behind him at the sink and pressed my swelling cock into his ass, my hands roaming around his hips to find his silk-covered balls. Fondling them, I nuzzled into his neck and brushed my thumb over his hardening dick.

“Fuck, Ace…” He dipped his head to the side, exposing more soft skin, as he rinsed the last dish and set it on a drying rack. He rocked his hips, thrusting into the air. “Keep doing that.”

As I lifted the jersey, I lowered the band of my sweats down to my thighs and rubbed my shaft between his ass cheeks. “Yeah? You want it from behind tonight?” I slid a hand to the front and stroked his cock through the thin fabric of the jock.

With his mouth dropping open, he groaned and said, “Maybe.” He clutched the edge of the counter and pushed his bare ass back.

I fingered the tip of his cock and wetness seeped through the jock. Yeah, he was hot and ready for me. Hockey contracts? What hockey contracts? I nibbled on the column of his neck, our bodies moving slowly against each other. Tension coiled inside me and a shock of pleasure pulsed my dick. Precum dribbled down my shaft, slicking his crack. With one hand stroking his cock, I skimmed the other under the jersey to tease his nipple.

His breath caught, his knees buckled and then straightened. “More, Ace, just like this.” Turning his head, his mouth met mine, and he flicked his tongue over my lips.

I quickened the pace of my hand on his shaft, rolling my thumb over the slit and milking his precum from him. He was getting so fucking wet already. As I thrust into his crack, pleasure tingled my balls. Fucking hell, I might come. “Baby, I’m close already. What do you want to do?”

“Pull the plug out and fuck me.” He twisted in my hold and jumped, wrapping his legs around my hips and his arms around my neck. “I’ve been planning this since I got home.”

As I held him by his ass, I stared at him for a beat. He was a dirty little fucker, and I loved it. “Yeah? Where’s the lube?”

With a smirk, he ticked his head. “There by the couch.”

My gaze flew to the side table, the bottle of lube resting next to the lamp. I hadn’t even seen it. I’d been too distracted by bullshit. “Look at you, my filthy boy.”

Biting his lower lip and releasing it, he said, “Oh, hell yes.”

I walked him to the couch and sat with him on my lap. I already knew how flexible he was. This was going to feel so good. “Go ahead, fuck yourself on me.”

Reaching behind him, he slipped the plug out with a whimper, then threw it to the floor and grabbed the lube. Squirting it on his fingers, he dropped his hand to my aching cock and stroked.

“Fucking hell.” As sensation swirled inside me, I grabbed the back of his head and crushed our mouths together, our tongues lapping at each other.

He lifted onto his knees, aligned my cock with his hole, and slowly sat down. A low moan erupted from his throat and his brows tensed. Our kisses grew hungrier, needier.

As his hot, tight hole enveloped my cock, a pulse shook through my body. “Go, Zoma, fast and hard,” I said in a husky voice.

He bounced on my dick, fucking himself, his hard cock bobbing in the jock strap in front of him. “Oh God, oh fuck…” With his hand wrapped around the back of my head, he pressed his forehead to mine and panted, his mouth hanging open.

Spreading my hand between his shoulder blades, I freed his weeping cock and jerked it.

After a few minutes, my body shuddered with pleasure and my balls drew up. “Gonna come. Come with me, baby.” I collided my mouth with his again, swallowing his whimpers and kissing him deeply.

As his body shook and trembled, his dick grew in my fist, and then hot cum painted the chest of my hoodie.

I plunged over the edge, my orgasm raging through me in waves of sensation, unloading my cum inside him in mind-blowing pulses. “Oh fuck…” I rode it out, slanting my mouth over his and keeping our connection.

As it slowed, he slumped over me, wrapping his arms around my neck and resting his cheek on my shoulder. “Ace, that was something else. I’m starting to like bottoming for you.” He lifted his head, a soft smirk gracing his lips.

“Yeah?” I planted a quick kiss on his mouth. “Good, because I like it too.” I gave him a squeeze and let him go. “Better clean up before we mess up your nice couch.”

“Agreed.” With a sigh, he climbed off me, my spent dick sliding out of his ass. “Come on.” He grabbed my hand and pulled. “Let’s take a quick shower together. Then we can cuddle on the couch and watch a movie.”

“That sounds wonderful.” I stood and followed him into his bathroom. I’d have time to make some phone calls in the morning while he was at the rink with his kids.

The next morning, after making Zoma a healthy breakfast of egg whites, fruit, and bagels, I kissed him goodbye and sat on his couch to call Archer. He had to have some inside information on this deal the Coyotes were giving me. I’d had weird dreams all night and was pretty sure they had to do with this situation. I called Archer and set the phone on speaker, watching a couple walk across the courtyard past the picture window.

“Hey, man, how you doing?” He made a slurping sound.

Shit, had I interrupted his breakfast with Leo? “Uh, okay. Are you busy?” I rubbed my palm over my sweats.

“Not really, just finishing up breakfast. What’s up?” he asked.

“Who is it?” Leo’s voice carried through the phone along with clanking.

“It’s Ace,” he said. “Did the scout come to see you?”

“He did.” I tightened my lips. Archer had stuck his neck out for me, and I didn’t want to sound like a dick. “The offer he gave me was…interesting.”

“Yeah? Interesting how?” He slurped some more.

“Like, he was talking about me backing up Stoll. Has Stoll improved that much from when he played in college?” Okay, dick thing to say. Of course, he would have gotten better having an NHL organization behind him. I huffed a sigh. “I mean, fuck, you know what I mean.”

“He’s definitely gotten better. But better than you? I don’t think so. I think you could eat him for dinner, you know?” He chuckled. “And I’m not saying that because I’m your friend. I’ve watched you play this year. You’re playing even better than last year. I’m sure it’s why Detroit is looking at you.”

“Then why in the hell would the Coyotes bench me for Stoll?” I inhaled deeply, calming a knot forming in my stomach. It didn’t make any sense.

“Ace, maybe they don’t want to upset any balance on the team this year. If word gets out they’re looking to trade Sampson for you and starting you, the organization might have problems with Stoll when he’s playing and who knows what that’ll lead to.” He huffed. “You know how things can change at training camp.”

“You’re starting to think like your father, and I don’t mean the one in Minnesota.” I freed a sharp laugh. Maybe Archer would end up being a defensive coach someday. It wouldn’t surprise me.

“Yeah, well, we’re blood,” he said. “Anyway, maybe it’s not exactly what you wanted, but I think you can make it work.”

“Shit, I just wish they’d made it an easy decision. If it was a lower salary and they were playing tandem with the goaltending position, at least I’d feel better about it.” I shook my head. The league was heading that way, and it was probably what I’d be looking at in Detroit since the Bruins started trading out goalies every other game or so. Shit, another thing I had to find out when I got there.

“How do you know they’re not?” Archer asked.

“Are they?” I narrowed my eyes. I hadn’t seen it in any of the Coyote games to date. But then, with Sampson’s injury, maybe it hadn’t been possible. “Archer?”

“I’m not positive, but I know the coaching staff is looking to mix things up next year,” he said.

“Shit, what should I do, Archer?” I forced out a breath. It would be so much easier if someone would just tell me what to do.

“Ace, I think you’d do well here, but the decision is up to you. Go to Detroit, see what they have to offer, then think it through. Even if you go back east, you’re not going to lose any of us. Okay?” He barked out a laugh. “If you go to Detroit, though, you can bet Mason is going to chirp you to death and slap as many shots at your goal as humanly possible.”

“He’ll never get it past me. I know all his shitty moves.” A low chuckle rumbled through my chest. God, it would be fun to play with these guys again, even if we were on opposing teams. I glanced at the time in the corner of my phone. Shit, I should call Mom. “Anyway, thanks for taking my call and telling me what you know.”

“Anytime, man.”

“Okay, talk to you soon.” I ended the call and rested the phone on my thigh for a moment. Archer had a point. Things changed in training camp. If I showed my worth there, maybe Stoll would be my backup, or maybe they’d go for tandem and play us both next year. I tipped my head back, staring at the ceiling. Or maybe I’d be a duster.

With a long sigh, I found Mom’s number and tapped it. Church would be over by now and she’d be done gathering eggs from the chicken coup.

The phone rang a few times before she answered. “Ace, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Hi, Mom.” I smiled at the phone, set on speaker on my thigh. “Got the eggs yet?”

“I just put them away.” She chuckled. “Old habits never die.”

“Guess not.” I fingered the edge of my phone. What should I tell her first? About hockey contracts or Zoma? “Mom, I have a guy I want to bring home.” He was more important.

“You have? Are you talking about Christmas?” Her voice raised.

“I am. I’m visiting his family over Thanksgiving. I’m letting the squad fend for themselves, but I think Archer’s boyfriend is going to cook the turkey this year.” A smile tugged at my lips. She’d never liked that I didn’t come home for Thanksgiving, but she also knew how important it had been for me to spend it with my hockey family.

“Really.” She sucked in a breath. “This must be serious. Tell me everything. I’m sitting down at the table, and the damn horse stalls can wait to be cleaned.”

“Make Eli do it. He’s not at school today.” I worried my lower lip. Eli wasn’t used to manual labor like the rest of us, but he was the oldest after me.

“I think I will. Take the day off so I can talk to my handsome son with a boyfriend.” She giggled and stopped. “Go on, tell me about him. How long have you been datin’? What does he do for a livin’? All of it.”

Where do I start? “Zoma, his name is Zoma, something his mom made up. He’s from Colorado Springs and getting his master’s degree in physical education. He wants to coach figure skaters. He’s a figure skater, Mom.” Did I say too much at once? I pressed my lips together.

“A figure skater, like in the Olympics?” she asked.

“Like that, but he competes for the college. He’s too old now to compete at the Olympics.” I took a deep breath. I wouldn’t mention his Olympic trial failures.

“Oh, how old is he?”

“Twenty-four. A year older than me.” I gazed at the late morning sun, starting to throw shadows over the windowpane. How different Montana was from here. It had to be cold enough for a heavy jacket by now. I’d stumped Mom. “Figure skaters end their careers early. It’s hard on the body. But Zoma gives lessons to these kids at a rink in Scottsdale, and you should see him with them. He’s great, and the kids love him.”

“Yeah? Well, kids have a way of testing the best of us, so if he’s able to handle other people’s children and be happy, he must be a special man.”

“You’re right. He is special. I love him, Mom. We’re making plans for our future.” Time to segue into hockey. I scanned the room, taking in his things. This time next year, we’d be blending our things together.

“Oh, that’s so good to hear, darlin’,” she said. “Have you heard anything from any scouts yet?”

“I have.” As a grin stretched over my mouth, I nodded. “I have two prospects right now. The Detroit Red Wings and the Arizona Coyotes.” Would she understand the details if I got into them with her?

“Oh? You wanted to play with the Coyotes to be with your friends, didn’t you?” she asked. “Why are you even entertaining the Red Wings?”

“It’s a long story, Mom. Which one I pick could make or break the rest of my hockey career.” Tightness wound through my chest. Yeah, I wasn’t going to go into details with her. “I’ll be visiting the Red Wings for part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and I’ll know more after that.”

“Okay, well, you can tell us all about it at Christmas.” She squealed. “Ace, I’m so happy for you, and I can’t wait to meet Zoma. He sounds like a fine young man.”

She got his name right on the first try… “He is. I’m sure he’ll get along great with everyone.” With warmth threading through my heart, I smiled into my phone. “So, be ready for both of us this year, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Of course. I’ll prepare your father.” She chuckled. “He’ll be fine with it, don’t you worry. I’ll talk to you soon,” she said. “And I love you, son.”

“Love you too, Mom.” I ended the call. I knew what she’d do next. Run around and tell the whole family about Zoma. She was like the town crier of the family, and she loved it.