Chapter Four #2
“I knew of him,” Bryan responded. “And when he joined the team at the start of the season he remembered me from when we played against each other in college. He’s such a nice guy.
He’ll let me bounce ideas off him when something from class comes into play here.
He’s even added a few exercises I recommended into his routine. ”
It didn’t surprise Luka that Gem was willing to help the trainer. It was something that Luka’s Dom would do.
They had to be the same person.
Had to be.
“Will you stand up for me. I want to get your weight and the rest of your measurements,” Bryan asked.
Luka rose as Gem started performing his sets on the opposite side of the room.
“You wouldn’t mind running on a treadmill for a while, would you?” Bryan asked. “I’d love to get as much information as I can.”
He shrugged. “Fine with me. I’m here for whatever you need.” And to watch Gem of course. There also just happened to be a treadmill right across from the weight bench where Gem and Tomas were working. It would put Luka in the perfect position to get his fill of the little goalie.
“That’s great, man,” Bryan replied. “I appreciate this.”
“Anytime.” Luka allowed his gaze to drift back to Gem.
Damn that little shifter was strong. Yes, most shifters had strength that was not comparable to humans but Gem was as strong as some of the larger predator shifters that Luka had played with.
There was a lot of power in that smaller body. Luka knew that firsthand.
* * * * *
Gem
His newest teammate was staring at him again.
The moment that Luka had stepped into the weight room, Gem had felt his presence.
The trainer must have been waiting for Luka’s arrival as Bryan had grabbed the man the moment that Luka arrived.
Which was probably a good thing as Tomas had been talking about Luka for the first twenty minutes of their workout.
Tomas had insisted that Luka had nothing to do with the asshole ex-teammates and their cheap shots at Gem while he’d played in Seattle.
It was true that Gem hadn’t had any trouble with Luka, yet the defenseman had never stopped his teammates either.
Not that it mattered. Gem didn’t need anyone to fight his battles for him.
He could handle himself and watch out for his brothers.
Okay, if Gem was fair, he also had Aries’s and Nix’s partners to watch out for them.
By the end of the season, Gem was going to prove to every fan, player, teammate, coach, and owner that being a smaller shifter did not mean they were less capable than anyone else.
Gem appreciated Luka fighting Crowly for him. It was not something he wanted to make a habit out of though. And the intense interested looks that Luka kept sending his way was not how Gem wanted to get to know his newest teammate. Especially when he had reconnected with his precious sub.
Was there attraction there between Gem and Luka? Yeah. Would anything ever come of it? Hell no. Gem didn’t date teammates. And he already had a boy that had claimed his heart. It might not be love but Gem was all in with Ty for as long as his boy wanted him.
Once Bryan had put Luka on the treadmill across from them, the heaviness of Luka’s gaze had been near suffocating. Gem had tried to concentrate on what he was doing, on being a good spotter for Tomas, but Luka’s presence was just so strong. Nearly screaming for Gem’s attention.
Ignoring the antics of his rambunctious teammates, Gem wrapped a towel around his waist and headed for the showers. It had been a pretty easy practice since they’d had a late-night game and would be traveling to Texas early the next morning.
He’d slept better than he had the previous three nights after talking to his boy.
Gem had truly thought that Ty was just going to ghost him and end their short relationship.
He was relieved that Ty had reached out.
The disappointment in himself that he hadn’t gained enough of Ty’s trust for the boy to reach out to him when he’d been in need ate at Gem.
Once they got through the season, after the playoffs, where Gem hoped to carry the team to a championship, Gem was going to broach the subject of moving the relationship with Ty out into the open.
He hadn’t wanted to push his boy out of his comfort zone, but what they were doing wasn’t working completely if Ty hadn’t been able to call Gem when he should have.
There would be plenty of time between fixing up his new townhouse and the vacation with his brothers when Gem could go and visit Ty.
Wherever the boy ended up settling down.
Gem didn’t ask where Ty had moved and Ty hadn’t volunteered the information.
It didn’t matter. Gem would go to his boy no matter where Ty ended up in the world.
Since his teammates were still playing around and joking with one another, the showers were empty as Gem stepped inside. He’d never minded the big open tiled space with dozens of showerheads but Gem appreciated the quietness for the moment.
His muscles felt good and warm even if he’d pushed too hard on the weights and aggravated his sore ribs.
Okay, that was mostly Gem’s fault as he might have been showing off a bit.
With Luka watching him so closely, Gem refused to show any sign of weakness.
If the trainer or his coach knew how much his ribs were bothering him, Gem might get pulled from the next game.
That was not going to happen. He’d worked too hard.
There was plenty of time for his ribs to feel better.
Gem would even make it a point to shift later that night to give his body an extra push to heal. There was a bowl of grapes sitting in his fridge just waiting to be gobbled up. And since Gem would be heading out of town, he hated to leave fruit in the fridge.
Yanking off his towel, Gem hung it on the hook before turning on the water beside it.
Glancing down at the bruises that covered his torso and sides had him wincing.
They looked like Gem had acquired the marks days ago instead of just the night before.
Shifter healing really was amazing. A human probably would not be able to walk or breathe right.
Although if Gem was honest his ribs hurt more than he thought they should. Hopefully the hot water would help.
It always took a minute for the heat to come through the pipes so Gem waited before stepping under the spray.
Beside the towel hook, two plastic containers were filled.
One with shampoo and one with body wash.
Gem wasn’t a huge fan of either scent but it was just too much effort to bring in his own shower supplies when he could do a quick wash now and re-shower at home.
Gem quickly soaped up his front, then turned his back to the spray as Luka and Tomas entered the area. He hid his left side from his teammates, not wanting anyone else to notice or ask about them. Gem didn’t lie. He just didn’t always share everything.
Growing up as one of the smallest hockey players on ice, including the humans, any sign of weakness was often used to try to hold him back.
Aries was usually too fast to catch and avoided most injuries.
Nix was a scrappy little thing who usually gave as good as he got while still avoiding outright fights.
Gem… Gem was stuck in front of his net, unable to get away from trouble.
Still, usually no one messed with a goalie unless they wanted an entire team on their ass.
Crowly had been brave going after Gem. And Gem’s newest teammate had done what any good defenseman would…give it back to Crowly. Full fucking force.
“Yo! Gem, how’s it going?”
Gem turned his head enough to see his teammates from the corner of his eye. “Fine.”
Luka’s steps faltered but Tomas was still talking to him, appearing to be making plans for lunch, before Tomas noticed Gem.
“How about it, Gem? Want to join us for lunch? I’m taking Luka to that bistro down the street from your old apartment,” Tomas said. “I told him you used to eat there almost daily.”
Luka was back to staring at him. Of course Gem was standing there completely naked and soapy as Luka’s gaze traveled up and down his body.
Not that Gem usually noticed whether or not his teammates checked him out.
It was common curiosity in the locker room and showers to not check out the other guys.
Maybe Luka hadn’t gotten that memo. Although Gem doubted it.
It was almost like Luka couldn’t help it.
Gem liked having his newest teammate’s attention a little too much. Which cemented that keeping his distance was Gem’s best option.
“Sorry, can’t make it,” Gem replied, turning to start washing the soap away.
“Come on, man!” Tomas said. “You love that place. I doubt you’ve been back since you moved across town.”
He did love the bistro and Gem hadn’t been back.
Still Gem needed to stay far away from Luka.
Nothing good would come from the heated looks that Gem was receiving.
He’d have to make it clear that he wasn’t interested.
They needed to be alone for Gem to do that, as he didn’t want to embarrass Luka.
Luka seemed like a nice enough guy and they would hopefully be playing on the same team for many years.
Gem didn’t want any bad blood between them.
“Aries is playing this afternoon and I promised Nix I’d watch with him over video chat.” Gem was glad for the excuse.
Tomas hummed. “I forgot that Vegas had an early game.”
Gem was grateful that Tomas let it go. He turned again to finish rinsing off as Luka stepped under a showerhead three down from him. Close to the door.
Fuck!
Luka had his back to Gem, which might be even worse than Gem being stared at. He had a love for nice asses and Luka had a gorgeous round muscular ass that looked high and tight. Perfect.
Damn it! Gem didn’t have the right to check out a teammate, especially when he had someone he was already committed to.
Gem quickly looked away and faced the tile.
His brief lapse in control had his cock growing half hard.
Not that big of a deal in the locker room except Gem didn’t want it to be because of a nice ass.
He yanked the knob of the temperature to the right, taking a cold stream of water right to his face.
Shit! That was cold.
Gem turned off the shower and grabbed his towel, hoping that he got most of the soap off. He wiped his face before drying his body. Usually he’d also attempt to get the water out of his hair. Instead Gem wrapped the towel around his waist.
Across the room, Tomas was singing loudly off-key to some new pop song as he scrubbed at his hair with his fingers. Seeing Tomas naked did nothing for Gem’s libido.
Trying to keep his gaze down, Gem really didn’t want to check Luka out again. He really didn’t want to. Gem had a perfect boy of his own.
Just as he was about to pass Luka, who still faced the tiled wall, Gem looked.
He was a weak man. What could he say?
Water ran from Luka’s broad shoulders and down his wide back to his tapered waist then over the high round cheeks of his ass. Gem had to bite back a moan as his cock took immediate notice and wanted in on the party.
Gem shook his head before forcing himself to keep walking.
He took a step before Luka shifted enough that their gazes locked. There was a small smile playing around Luka’s mouth. Then Luka licked his lips.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Gem had to push the need away. This was not happening. Would never happen.
Luka arched his back while lifting his head.
Gem practically ran out of the shower room and to his cubbie. Loud rock music blared from the speakers as someone had put their playlist on. Half-naked men stood or sat around as they talked and laughed but none of them had ever caught Gem’s attention like their newest teammates.
Guilt flooded him as Gem reached his clothes.
Luka was an attractive man, big just like Gem liked his men, but Gem had been around good-looking men in the past. He’d never reacted like this. Especially not when Gem was interested in someone else. Was committed to someone else.
Determined to be dressed and out of the locker room before Luka exited the shower, Gem rushed to pull his shirt on over his damn skin.
“Hey! What’s the hurry? Hot date?” one of his teammates teased.
“Running behind,” he lied. Gem needed to get out of there. To get far away from Luka and that amazing ass.