Chapter Five
Kason
We have a string of away games—Columbus, Florida, Detroit, North Carolina.
I like the traveling. I can’t pretend it doesn’t get exhausting, but before hockey, my family hadn’t done much traveling.
In the midst of hockey as a kid, we did, but that was always my parents working their asses off and saving money for me to participate, and so it came with stress and guilt too.
It’s different now. I’ve seen most of the country, and I’m thankful for that every day, only this time, I’m itching to get home so I can see where Anthony is going to take me.
He excites me, but he’s also skittish—and I can’t say I blame him—so even if I didn’t want to go slow for me, I would for him. I don’t ever want him to think I’m anything like Malcolm, don’t ever want him to feel used or abused in any way.
It had been really hard to keep my hands to myself when we fell asleep together the other night—not in a gross, non-consenting way, but once we woke up, I wanted to ask if I could kiss him, wanted to touch him and hug him, and yes, the bulge he sported beneath his shorts had been mouthwatering, but I’d been good, and I’m glad I was.
We’ve been texting all week, and it’s clear from the conversations that he’s been watching my games.
The man seems to know my stats better than me.
I also started following both him and Lush on social media, and fuck, the man can dance, knows what to do with his body, and I go to sleep every night wanting to feel it again, wanting to explore every inch of him with my tongue until the only word he can remember is my name.
And now my dick is getting hard in the shower.
Rylan showered first, and I’m sure he’s already out there on the phone with Hayes, so I peek out of the curtain, fumble my waterproof lube from my bag, and stroke my cock.
I moan at the friction, the tight grip of my hand sliding up and down my dick.
What would it feel like to touch Anthony like this?
What sounds does he make when he comes? I love spending hours discovering what a lover likes in bed, and I know it would be a million times better with him.
Something about him is so fun, and it just gets better the more I talk to him.
I speed up my movements, play with my balls. It doesn’t take long before light flashes in my vision and pleasure washes over me, my nuts pulling up as I spurt my load all over the shower floor. God, that felt good, but it somehow wasn’t enough. It’ll have to be, though.
I clean up, and a few minutes later, I’m in bed, the lights off, Rylan’s phone glowing one mattress over as I pull up my text messages with Anthony. There’s already one waiting for me.
Anthony: Sorry about the loss. How are you feeling? That was a hard hit you took.
Their left winger had collided with me at full force and knocked me on my ass.
Me: Thanks. I’m sore but not too bad. How was your day? You’re at work, right?
I know he is because he told me earlier he works today. A response doesn’t come through right away, and I figure it’s because he’s busy, so I flip over to one of the social media pages for Lush.
The most recent video is Anthony on one of the dancing platforms. He’s wearing a skimpy, royal-blue Speedo that pops against his tanned skin.
Like the night we went to watch him dance, his body is glittery and has some kind of sheen.
His nails are painted the same color as his Speedo, his body tight and toned, moving sinuously with the music.
The second time it plays, I turn the volume off so Rylan doesn’t know I’m watching the same thing over and over.
Anthony’s brown hair is sweaty, his lips with a sultry grin.
He looks like he’s in another world, one that’s made just for him, or hell, maybe one he created himself.
He’s…so fucking hot, and there’s no denying how much I want him—the point proven by how much of a creepy stalker I’m being right now.
I close the page and return to the texts.
Me: You’re a beautiful dancer.
Three dots pop up, so I wait.
Anthony: I was gyrating on a pole and shaking my ass. LOL.
I quite like it when he does that. Still, I feel like he’s minimizing what he does.
Me: So? That doesn’t make it any less beautiful and any less dancing. Does that make sense? Any less dancing?
Anthony: I know what you mean…and thanks. You’re a nice guy, Kason.
Me: Ugh. Stop it. Don’t ever call me that again. We’ve already talked about nice guys finishing last.
Anthony: And I already told you that you never will. Are you trying to get compliments out of me?
Me: I mean, I wouldn’t complain. *wink emoji*
Anthony: I’m beginning to think you’re naughtier than you let on, Mr. I-wouldn’t-complain.
I smile. Everything about this man makes me do that.
Me: Is that my new nickname?
Anthony: For tonight. I should go, though. Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot…and you’re a beautiful goalie.
A beautiful goalie. That’s not one I’ve heard before, but it’s definitely a good compliment. My chest floods with warmth.
Me: Thank you. See you when I get home.
Anthony: Good night, Kason.
I’m still grinning when I reach over and put my phone on the charger.
“Okay, Madsies. Spill,” Rylan says, shocking me out of my Anthony trance.
“Spill what?”
“Who you’ve been talking to so much. I saw you smiling like an idiot, your face glowing from the light on your phone.”
For a second, I play with the idea of trying to deny what I’m sure was a goofy grin, but that doesn’t feel true to me.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him.
I’m not the kind of guy who tries to keep shit like this a secret.
I’ve done it once, and that didn’t turn out good for me in the end, but I also don’t know what’s going on here.
Anthony and I have only been on one official date.
At this point we really are just friends getting to know each other, and from what I can tell, he hasn’t mentioned us spending time together to Hayes or Donovan.
If Hayes knew, Rylan would know, and he would be asking me a lot more specific questions and teasing me about dating Anthony.
I don’t want to say anything if he’s not ready or before we figure out what’s even going on—if anything—between us. “Just a friend,” I say.
Rylan laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“Remember that time I was crushing on Hayes and didn’t know it? I always thought you were smarter and more emotionally aware than me. Weird.”
I can’t help but chuckle. He’s not wrong.
It took Rylan’s parents opening his eyes for him to see he had feelings for Hayes, but this is different.
“I do have a crush, and I can admit I have one, asshole. I’m not saying I’m in love with the guy or even ready to be boyfriends, but I’m interested. I’m trying to get to know him better.”
“So it’s a guy, huh? Must be someone we know since you won’t tell me…please don’t tell me it’s someone on our team. Madsies, that would be a huge mistake but also kinda hot if you’re giving someone their bi-awakening.”
Another chuckle slips past my lips. “You’re an idiot.”
“But an adorable one.”
“I beg to differ,” I lie. “And what the hell is a bi-awakening?”
“Geez, keep up with current terms. It’s someone realizing they’re bisexual.”
Interesting.
“You didn’t say he’s not a hockey player.”
Been there. Done that. Not going there again. “He’s not a hockey player.”
“I can’t believe you’re not telling me your secret crush.”
I roll my eyes, though he can’t see it in the semidarkness of the room. “You’re so dramatic.”
“I’m having a crisis over here. You could be a little more understanding.”
“Because it’s all about you,” I joke.
“You said it, not me.” He tosses a pillow at me. “I’m giving you shit. You know I’m always here if you need me, right? I can be lost in my own world, but you’re my buddy and I have your back. If you need me to sell you to this guy, I can, but if he doesn’t see your worth, then fuck him.”
“You’re sweet, Pierce, but I’m good. It was one date. I’m just seeing what happens.”
“Well, see what happens faster. Being in love is fucking awesome.”
“Slow your roll over there. No one is talking about love.” But I wouldn’t mind being in love. It’s not something I’m against, unlike a lot of other people I know. It’ll be nice to have a person one day.
“Your loss,” Rylan teases before plugging his phone into the charger. “I wonder if your boyfriend has magic cum like mine.”
“Oh my God. Shut up. And he’s not my boyfriend.”
I roll over to go to sleep, but I can’t stop thinking about what he said. Boyfriend. I haven’t had one of those in a long time.
*
When I get back to LA, Anthony and I go out to dinner, this time heading to my place to hang out afterward. There’s no falling asleep like before, but there are innocent touches, good conversation, and lots of laughs.
It’s on a Tuesday after that, when I wake up feeling antsy, that I’m hoping he wants to hang out again. I don’t want to call him too early because he was at work the night before, so I wait until ten, then text him, hoping it won’t wake him up.
Me: So…I’m bored. Beach? We can do yoga.
I don’t expect him to reply right away, but he does.
Anthony: I’m down.
My pulse jumps with a sort of excitement it shouldn’t for something so small.
Me: I’ll come get you. I know a place we can go in Orange County that’s not very busy.
Anthony agrees, and I pack a quick bag of supplies and head out.
He’s waiting outside his building when I arrive, in shorts and a tank top.
I love Southern California weather, love that it’s seventy degrees in winter, and while the water will freeze your balls off, we can still spend a day at the beach comfortably.
“Hey, you,” he says, climbing into the car. “You could have brought the SUV. I swear I wouldn’t give you too much of a hard time.”
“Liar.”
“Aw, I’m not that mean, am I?” he asks as I pull away.
“Not mean, but you do like to give me shit.”
“In an annoying way or a fun way?”
I look over, expecting to see him smiling, but there’s a seriousness to his questioning gaze I didn’t expect. “In a fun way. I wouldn’t keep spending time with you if it wasn’t. I have a good time with you.”
Now I get a grin from him, one that’s a little cocky but slightly unsure too. “I have a good time with you as well.”
“Hmm? I can’t hear you. Can you repeat that?”
“You’re a brat.”
“But a fun brat,” I flirt. “Maybe a sexy one?”
“I mean, come on. You’ve seen you. A person would have to have zero taste not to see that.”
“Wow. A ringing endorsement. Good to know you’ve seen me, though, and you apparently have good taste.”
“Someone is in a mood. You’re being Mr. Flirty today.”
I am and enjoying it. I’m still good with taking things slowly, of course. I know Anthony has been through a lot, but I want to make sure he understands I’m interested. “If I was Mr. Flirty, I would tell you I’ve seen you too…and I would have to have zero taste not to see how sexy you are as well.”
He fans himself. “Hmm. Not bad, Kason Maddox. Not bad at all.”
“Did I get another infinity point?”
He throws a glance my way but gives a simple shrug. “Maybe.”
All I can think is, God, he’s so much fucking fun.