CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
Jesse glanced around and lowered his voice even more. “Maybe. It’ll depend on how the rest of the season goes.”
Luke nodded. That kinda confirmed what his agent had said.
He glanced back at the ice, wondering what it would feel like to be fully retired. Not even watching from the press box. Just a spectator and former player.
He shuddered.
It was bad enough being on IR right now. He wasn’t looking forward to being cut off from the team that way. As much as he grumbled and blustered, as much as they drove him nuts, they were the closest thing he had to a family around here.
A few moments later, Luke watched Connor go to the penalty box, arguing the whole way about the tripping penalty they’d given him.
The cameras panned to his grumpy expression as he sat in the box. Jesse let out a laugh.
“That’s my Captain Growly,” he murmured and the softness in his voice made Luke wonder what it was like to feel that way about someone.
Had he ever had that? Had he ever wanted it?
The cameras swept across the crowd and Luke saw Sebastian in his usual seat, wearing his usual vintage New York jersey and a beanie. Dark curls peeked out from under it and his stubble looked especially dark and thick tonight.
Sebastian glanced up and Luke had the oddest sensation that he was looking right at him.
Luke shifted in his seat. He hadn’t messaged Sebastian back. It was probably cowardly, but he didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what he wanted.
Maybe Sebastian was just being nice, asking about his injury, but they’d never been particularly nice to each other. It had been rough and desperate, filthy and frantic. But not nice.
And yet, Sebastian had driven him home. Had made sure he had food and his meds.
Had given him privacy when he’d dressed himself.
Had pretended like he was the one afraid of falling on the ice in Luke’s backyard when Luke knew damn well he’d done it because he’d seen him swaying on his feet, head swimming from the pills …
The goal horn sounded and Luke focused back on the ice to see that the Beavers had scored, bringing the game to 4–2 against the Harriers.
Jesse groaned. “Fuck, we need to be back out there.”
Luke held out his fist to bump in solidarity.
After the 5–3 loss, Luke headed out. He still wasn’t driving yet so he got in the back of a rideshare. Out of habit, he opened the hookup app and checked his messages.
He glanced up at the driver warily but the woman seemed more concerned about dodging the stream of foot traffic coming from the arena than paying any attention to him.
It felt … weird heading home this way and he didn’t just mean because he wasn’t the one driving.
He’d already gotten used to heading straight to Sebastian’s after every home game.
He couldn’t risk it right now, couldn’t take a chance that he’d set his recovery back.
He deleted a few messages from random guys, then hesitated when he got to Sebastian’s last message.
Maybe he should respond? But his stomach twisted oddly and he hesitated, staring at the screen until it started to dim. He tapped it with his thumb, staring at the green dot indicating Sebastian was there.
His screen dimmed one more time and he was just about to close out of the app entirely when a new message from Sebastian popped up.
Look, if I did something that made you feel uncomfortable the other night, I’m sorry. The comment I made about wanting to see your place in daylight was me wondering what the fucking landscaping was like and if you had any flowers planted. It had nothing to do with wanting more from you, okay?
Okay, Luke sent back, taking a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders loosening a little.
Another message popped up a minute later. And the only reason I asked about your leg was because I’m not a total asshole. I felt bad if you made your injury worse because of me. Besides, Harper’s been bugging me. She wants to know if Mr. Luke is okay.
Luke cracked a smile. Tell her I’ll be alright. I aggravated the injury when we hooked up and our trek through the backyard didn’t help but no permanent damage.
Good. Well, I’ll tell her the first part. Not the hookup bit.
Good choice, Luke sent back.
Luke’s phone fell silent and he stared out the front of the windshield. It wasn’t until they turned onto his street that his phone buzzed again. Another message from Sebastian.
He waited until he was inside the house to check it.
I assume you’re out of commission for a while and even if we didn’t get too athletic, the stairs at my place would be a problem.
If you hate the idea, it’s fine, but if you wanted me to come over to your place and suck your dick at some point, I’m up for it.
I feel like you’re pretty private though and if you don’t want me anywhere near your house again, it’s fine. I won’t be offended.
Surprised that Sebastian had figured that out about him, Luke leaned against his front door and typed out a reply. Tonight, I’ve got a date with an ice pack and some Toradol. If I feel like taking you up on your offer, I’ll let you know.
Sounds good. Enjoy your date.
Luke huffed out a laugh and tucked his phone in his pocket. Maybe Sebastian wasn’t so bad after all.
Then again, Luke’s mellow feelings about him at the moment might just be because he hadn’t had to listen to him yap at him through the glass tonight.
Yeah, that was probably it.