CHAPTER TEN
Thad’s head was reeling as he stepped out of Graham’s room a short while later.
It hadn’t been easy to leave, not with Graham sprawled out on the bed, hard in his jeans and looking completely fuckable.
But it had been the right choice. That he was sure of.
Now, Thad blinked at the brightness of the hallway lights, then blinked again when he saw his brother walking down the hall. Any remnants of Thad’s hard-on shriveled at the sight of Gavin and he was suddenly glad he’d taken the time to smooth down his hair and be sure he didn’t look too disheveled.
Their gazes met and Gavin frowned. “Hey. What are you doing down here?”
Guilt crawled across Thad’s skin. Fuck, this was totally payback for the time last year he’d caught Gavin and Dakota coming out of the elevator after what they’d gotten up to on the rooftop deck.
Thad deeply regretted that now.
Well, he’d regretted it for a while because he’d been an ass to them both. It had struck him as wildly hypocritical of Gavin to get involved with someone who worked for him when he’d been the one lecturing Thad about his behavior.
And okay, maybe Thad had kinda pushed his luck flirting with everyone in the organization when he first started working for the Harriers but that had been when he’d been feeling shitty and off-kilter about having to beg for a job and uncomfortable with the idea of everyone in the organization knowing about his past.
Or, at least, the official party line about his past.
It was better now, now that Dakota and the O’Sheas, and the board of directors knew the truth. Better now that Thad was invested in staying here in Boston working for the Harriers.
“Thad?” Gavin prompted.
Thad snapped back to reality. “Uh, um. I was, uh, watching a movie with Graham. What are you doing here?” he countered.
“Checking on a rookie. He got very drunk, and Connor was a little worried about him. He texted Graham, but he didn’t answer. Which isn’t at all like him. I was coming to check on him too but if you say he’s okay …”
“Yep. He’s totally fine. He must’ve had his phone on silent or something,” Thad said, silently praying Gavin wouldn’t knock on Graham’s door. The leftover movie food wouldn’t look too suspicious, but the bed was pretty rumpled and with the candles …
“Guess so,” Gavin said, studying Thad’s face.
“So, uh, the rookie’s okay?” Thad asked.
Gavin nodded, suddenly looking tired as he dragged a hand through his hair. He was braver than Thad was, not trying to hide the silver in his hair and beard the way Thad did.
But he supposed it helped give Gavin a stamp of authority in a league where most general managers were a decade older. Or more.
“Yeah, the kid’ll be okay. He just made a bad choice tonight.
He was puking his guts up in the toilet when I left.
Dr. Pope checked him over and other than a nasty hangover, he should recover.
We gave him something with electrolytes and one of the trainers said he’d stay in there and keep an eye on him overnight. Connor offered—”
Thad scoffed, because of course he had. Connor was quiet about it for the most part, but he looked out for his guys like a hawk—no pun intended.
“I know, right?” Gavin said. “But I told him to get some sleep. No point in starting the season with an exhausted captain and first line center if we can help it.”
“Good call.”
“I’m okay at my job, I think,” Gavin said.
Thad gave him a half-hearted smile. “Better than that.”
Gavin let out a rueful laugh. “Only time will tell.”
“True enough. But, c’mon,” Thad said, nodding toward the elevators. “Let’s head up to our floor.”
“Yeah, okay.”
They walked to the elevator in silence but once they were on it, Gavin jabbed at the button, then leaned against the wall. “So, what movie did you and Graham watch?”
Thad’s mind suddenly went blank. Honestly, he hadn’t been paying much attention to it. It took a moment before the title popped into his head, and he gratefully blurted it out.
Gavin nodded. “How was it?”
“Uhh, nothing special?” Thad hedged as the doors opened. “You know the type. Lots of explosions and car chases.”
Gavin chuckled, holding the door open so Thad could step out ahead of him. “Yeah, they are kinda formulaic. I heard this one had a twist at the end though.”
Panic filled Thad’s body as Gavin joined him in the corridor.
Shit. He’d had his tongue in Graham’s mouth when the movie ended. He certainly hadn’t been paying attention to any plot twists. “I guess. Nothing we haven’t seen before.”
“Hmm,” Gavin said with a frown.
Thad wondered if he was suspicious and trying to catch Thad in a lie or if he was trying to make small talk.
He held his breath, not sure what he’d do if Gavin called him out.
But his brother shrugged and dragged a hand over his face. “Well, even if the movie wasn’t great, I’m glad you had a better night than I did.”
Thad let out a startled laugh. Well, that was one way to put it. “Anything’s better than a kid puking in a toilet, I suppose.”
“Tell me about it.” Gavin clapped him on the shoulder. “Well, go get some sleep. We’re about to kick off a new season of hockey tomorrow.”
Relieved, Thad grinned. “Looking forward to it!”
A few minutes later, when he was back in his room, he pulled out his phone and sat heavily on the bed.
He found a text from Graham waiting. I had a great time tonight.
Shit, Thad hoped Graham didn’t think he was ignoring him. I did too, he fired off hastily. Thanks for the movie date.
It wasn’t too dorky?
Thad smiled. Baby, I told you, it was dorky, and I loved it anyway.
Baby?
Grimacing, Thad wondered if he’d made a mistake there. Do you hate it?
No. I think I liked dirty boy better though.
A flash of heat went across Thad’s body. Good to know.
Hey, I missed some texts from Gavin earlier about a sick rookie. You think I should text him now? I don’t know what to do.
Nah. I told him we watched a movie, and you had your phone on silent. He bought it.
Shit, thanks.
Sure. You should get some sleep though.
You expect me to sleep after what we did earlier?
Thad raised an eyebrow, not sure what he meant. He sent a couple of question marks in response.
I’m hard as hell still. I don’t think I’ve gotten that worked up from making out since I was sixteen.
Thad chuckled. Good thing my brother didn’t knock on the door then.
Eww. Boner killer.
Tell me about it. Thad hesitated, knowing he was pushing his luck but unable to resist. Are you going to do anything about it?
Your brother?
No! Your hard cock.
Thought about taking a shower and picturing you in it with me.
Thad let out a shaky breath.
Graham might look innocent and still be getting his feet wet with men, but Thad had a feeling he was going to massively test his restraint. Especially since Graham had been right about Thad being into the idea of feeling like he was corrupting him.
You’re gonna be a problem, aren’t you? he sent back.
You asked!
Guess I did.
You mad?
No. But I’m not going to talk dirty to you tonight either. Go take your shower.
It would be better with you in it.
Thad swallowed thickly, thinking about his fantasy on the plane. Guess it wasn’t quite so far out of reach now, was it? Even if it would have to be in a hotel room or Graham’s condo, since Thad’s dinky apartment bathroom was never gonna work.
Someday, he said. G’night.
Night.