Chapter 03 OLLIE
“You good?“
Hudson asks from his spot next to me on the bench in our locker room. He gently places a hand on my knee, probably to get me to stop bouncing it, as he shoots me a concerned look. We’re waiting here with Adrian for confirmation on if this photoshoot will even be happening, and the wait feels endless. Lottie texted us a few minutes ago saying the guy was here, but he has to agree once they give him more information.
“Yeah. I’m fantastic. Super. Well, mostly excited. I guess a little nervous too, ya know?“
I let out a short chuckle after my rambling.
Adrian stands from Hudson’s other side to move in front of me. “Nervous? Are you having second thoughts? We don’t have to—”
“No! I want to, definitely. More like, nervous that the guy they picked won’t agree to participate, or that we won’t have any chemistry and this whole big production will have been planned for nothing.”
Hudson leans in to bump his shoulder against mine. “Not for nothing; we’ve raised a lot of money already just from the contest submissions. I’m sure we’ll raise more after they post everything, too. Even if you don’t participate, the other guys will. It’s all good.”
I let out a big sigh, trying to expel some of my nerves with it and focus on the excitement. “You’re right. I’m glad they made this a charity thing.”
Adrian makes a high-pitched shriek sound and flashes his phone at us. “He said yes!”
“Fuck yeah!“
I jump up and run a hand down my shirt in an attempt to smooth it. On the off chance that this actually does turn out to be a real date, I wanted to look nice, so I have on a light-blue button-up shirt and navy slacks. I think I look pretty hot actually, if I do say so myself. Hopefully my mystery man will agree.
“Sadie is getting him situated right now in the conference room we’ve set up as a makeshift photography studio,“
Adrian explains, still looking at his phone. “She said she’ll come get you as soon as he’s ready.”
Adrian fusses over my hair and outfit a bit more while we wait. “Just be yourself. I’m sure it’ll go great!”
“Thanks, Dad,“
I tease, but I really do appreciate how invested he and Hudson are, and that everyone else wants today to go well as much as I do. Adrian rolls his eyes, but before he can say anything further, a woman I don’t recognize with straight brown hair is knocking on the door we have propped open.
Lottie is also there, standing behind the woman I’m assuming is today’s photographer, so she must be leading her around. The photographer waves, offering us all a warm smile before her gaze locks on me. “Hey, I’m Sadie. I’m ready whenever you are, Oliver.”
I nod, hoping that my smile doesn’t look too nervous, and I follow them back toward the conference rooms. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. And I hope this works out for you. I wish it didn’t have to be a big deal, but I love that you want to do it in a way that kind of calls out how it shouldn’t have to be one.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’ve never wanted to hide anything, but I like the idea Lottie came up with and doing it on our terms. I’m excited this is finally happening.”
“But no pressure. We’ll figure something else out if this doesn’t work!“
Lottie quickly adds.
We slow down as we approach the door, and Sadie steps in front of it to stop me from entering. “Okay, we have your date in front of a plain backdrop I’ve set up in there. He’s facing away, but I’ll still ask you to close your eyes and let me lead you into place if that’s alright?”
I try to ignore the nerves in my stomach at the word date as I nod, and she takes my hand. I’ve never been on a real date before, in public with other people around and aware of me being interested in another man. I close my eyes, blindly following her as I remind myself that this isn’t something to freak out over. Sadie seems really cool, bubbly, and positive. Good vibes for sure. And I trust the team here; I know they won’t release anything that would be embarrassing or make me look bad. I’m excited to come out. It’s something I’ve wanted for years.
Still, not knowing who's waiting for me is nerve-racking.
“Eyes closed, we’re here!“
Sadie announces to my date. “Okay, right there. Perfect. You’re standing back-to-back now. Is it alright if I place your hand in his?”
“Sure,“
a male voice answers confidently from behind me, and I quickly nod my agreement.
She moves my hand back and hers is replaced by a much larger one. Our fingers intertwine, and I can’t hold back my giant smile at the reminder of what’s really happening. I’m holding hands with a man, and someone is taking pictures to post online with my team’s full support. I won’t have to hide anymore.
I get to be myself and still play hockey.
“You can open your eyes if you haven’t already, wait a moment, and then you can turn around and meet your date,“
Sadie instructs, sounding almost as excited as I feel. “If you need direction, I’ll offer some, but I want everything to be really natural, whatever you’re both comfortable with. So just do what feels right, and I’ll jump in when needed.”
I open my eyes and take a final deep breath. There’s extra lighting set up, and Sadie is darting around with a fancy-looking camera. She quickly looks between us, her lens, and what I’m assuming is the camera screen on the back as she photographs the moment from different angles, adjusting things on the camera as she does.
Still holding his hand, I turn around to face my date, and I let out an embarrassingly loud gasp when I finally see him.
He’s gorgeous. Like, so much hotter than I’d dare to hope for. Icy-blue eyes that are shining with amusement are the first thing to steal my attention, quickly followed by his dark brows and thick, dark hair. It’s longer on top, and for a moment, all I can think about is running my hands through it. Is it soft? Or is there too much product for that? I could never get mine to stay so perfectly so he must use something.
He looks like a model with his sharp, square jaw and prominent cheekbones. He’s a little taller than me, and intricate tattoos are visible on his neck and hands that give him an edgy vibe that is really doing it for me. I have no idea how old he is, maybe a little older than me if the stubble on his face is any indication because I still can’t grow a decent playoff beard to save my life.
He reaches his free hand up, and I draw in another sharp breath just before he places two fingers under my chin. I belatedly realize my jaw is hanging open, and he’s guiding me to close it. How fucking embarrassing. I snap it shut, and his smirk grows into a full-blown smile as he chuckles and shifts his hand to cup my jaw. His thumb rubs over my cheek slowly, and the path he’s tracing feels like it’s been lit on fire in the wake of his touch.
“Hi. I’m Axel.“
His voice is smooth, confident. So fucking sexy. Was I worried that I wouldn’t be attracted to whoever they chose? That is definitely not a problem. Axel is one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen. I feel like I’m trapped under some sort of spell, unable to function while surrounded by the presence of someone so utterly captivating.
He arches a brow, still smiling as he stares at me like he’s expecting… something. Fuck, I wish I knew what.
I finally remember how to smile back though, so that feels like a victory in itself with how close together we are, one of his hands holding mine and the other still stroking my face.
“Well?“
he prompts with a short laugh, confusing me even further. I search his gaze, unable to look away and hoping I’ll somehow clue in to what he wants from me. Am I supposed to tell him how hot he is or something? Maybe give my approval that he was perfect for this if I can remember how to do anything other than just stand here awkwardly. Drop to my knees maybe?
“Well, what?“
I ask apologetically when I finally remember how to speak.
He laughs again. “Weeeell… are you going to introduce yourself too, or?”
That breaks whatever tension I’d been trapped in and a surprised laugh bursts out of my throat before I can stop it. “Oh shit. Sorry. I guess I assumed you’d know my name already.”
He shrugs, not looking apologetic at all he says, “Sorry, Superstar. I’m not actually a hockey fan.”
I let out another surprised laugh before I mirror his shrug. I don’t give a shit if he likes hockey when he’s looking at me like he’s just as happy as I was with what he saw after turning around. Like I’m something he can’t wait to devour.
“Well, Axel, I’m glad you ended up here anyway. I’m Oliver.”
I don’t think I’ve ever thought of a smirk as sexy before, but the confident amusement on his face as his gaze darts down to my mouth for a long moment is sending blood straight to my dick.
He looks back up at my eyes before he responds. “It’s nice to meet you, Oliver.“
Fuuuck. The way he practically purrs my name is not helping me calm down any. “I heard you’re hoping to use these pictures to come out to the world?”
I nod. “That’s the goal.”
He bites his lip and steps even closer, leaning in and dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Should we make it really obvious then? Give people something to talk about?”
“What do you—?”
“Can I kiss you?“
he asks confidently, cutting off my confusion.
Holy shit, he’s blunt.
I fucking love it. “Hell yeah.”
The hand on my face shifts again so that my jaw is framed between his thumb and index finger, the rest of his hand possessively resting on my neck as he guides my mouth to his for a filthy kiss. There’s no hesitation; his tongue is immediately in my mouth, and his other hand drops mine to pull me by the hip closer to him. I match his enthusiasm, kissing him back just as fiercely, and thread a hand through his hair, delighted to find it soft between my fingers. I let out a moan as he shifts his hips, dragging his erection against mine.
Someone clears their throat.
I’m left panting as I pull back, breaking what was undoubtedly the best kiss of my life.