Chapter 15 Lukas
fifteen
Lukas
When the bus finally rolls into our first stop in Winnipeg, I’m tired, cranky, and already missing Ben.
The internet connection was shit for many parts of the trip, and I couldn’t even text him to pass the time. Instead, I kept replaying how we left my place before this road trip.
I passed him the spare key to my apartment on the keychain that said, ‘Number One Fan.’ He smiled in that way that always makes me feel special before asking me if I was truly confident that he was a fan.
I kissed him breathless against the door instead of using words. Actions speak louder than words after all.
Until then, I truly didn’t think I was falling for him. I thought we were just dating and in the getting-to-know-you phase when sex happened alongside the learning. We fell into this all backwards, and that shouldn’t surprise me, but I don’t think this is one of those honeymoon-phase things.
This is something different with Ben, and I meant it when I told him I wanted him to stay.
When he stood in the bathroom as I drew his bath, I caught the change in him.
Ben might be full of snark and fun, but right then?
He kissed my cheek and lingered there before he stepped into the warm salted water I drew for him.
And boy, did my heart skip so many beats that it left me lightheaded.
A shoulder bumps mine as we wait in line for our hotel room keys. Burnsy, my road roommate, grins. “Hey, Captain. You’ve been quiet. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, man. I just hate long road trips. This is the time I wish we could have a plane, you know?”
That’s most of it. But I’m also still thinking about how much I loved breakfast with Ben and the way he just helped himself to one of my T-shirts again and sat across from me, sipping coffee and asking how long the bus ride was and if I always had to wear suits.
Fuck, I’m already a lovesick fool.
Burnsy steps forward to the desk clerk and does the talking. He turns and hands me a room key, and we make our way to the elevators.
“Can I say something?” he asks as we step off and find our room.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Is this about Ben?”
“Is what about Ben?”
He motions to my face. “This. You’ve got this whole mopey thing going on. It’s not like you.”
I force a smile. “Better?”
“No.” He flinches. “That’s…worse. You look like you have gas.”
Once inside the room, we pick our beds and hang our suits.
One game here, then another ride to Calgary before dipping down and playing Montana before returning to the east and finishing the road swing in Michigan before being home for ten days.
I’m glad it will be over with early, but I hate long trips no matter where they land in the season.
“I didn’t mean to mope.”
Burnsy smiles as he reclines on his bed. “It’s fine. You know you can talk to me, though, right?”
“Of course.”
He flicks on the TV, and I settle on my bed, pulling out my phone to tap a message to Ben. He’s teaching a class tonight, so he won’t get it right away, but I promised I’d let him know as soon as I was settled.
“Coach says breakfast is in the conference room at 7 A.M., then we get the ice at 9 A.M. for practice.” He flips through the channels and stops at a show about Canadian history in Manitoba. No matter what you think of him, Louis Riel was a badass.
“Right. I shouldn’t be so damn tired after sleeping on a bus for so many hours, but damn it, I’m beat.”
Burnsy yawns with a laugh. “I know. If you don’t mind, I’m going to have a quick shower and just go to bed.”
“No, go for it. I’ll do the same after you’re done.”
Only I don’t get to the shower. I fall asleep before he’s out.
When I wake up, I discover Burnsy’s plugged my phone in to charge and covered me with the blanket from the end of the bed.
In the darkness, I stand and shed my clothes before sliding under the covers and pulling my phone underneath so as not to wake Burnsy.
Ben replied. It’s short and sweet.
Ben: Thank you. I hope it was a smooth ride. I’m going home to see James tonight, and I’ll stay at your place tomorrow if that’s okay?
It’s 2 A.M., and since I’ve read it, I reply.
Lukas: Totally fine. Use the place as much as you need. Have a good visit. I’ll check in tomorrow.
I power the phone off to remove any temptation to reply if he’s awake and fall back into a restless sleep.
“Move your feet, Pine! What the hell is your problem?”
Evans yells down the bench at me, and I stare forward. This is not the time to call me out. It was one bad play.
“If you have an issue with my plays, we can talk later, but right now we have a game to finish.”
A game that we’re now losing by a goal because of my mistake. Burnsy nudges my knee with his. “Let it roll off, Lukas. We can’t be perfect all the time.”
No, we certainly can’t.
Somehow, we win the game 3-2 with another clutch goal from Youngblood.
One game down and only three more to go.
“Number 7 needs to be put in his place.”
Youngblood holds a towel to his bleeding mouth as Landon checks out the wound. A high stick that wasn’t an accident hit him square in the mouth. “I still have my teeth!” he says, but my gaze tracks number 7 as he skates off the ice.
Turning, I find Coach already watching me, and he nods.
We have a four-minute power play, and we’re up by two goals, so it takes a few shifts before number 7 returns to the ice, and I’m over the boards as soon as a man comes over to change.
Once he touches the puck, I’m on him with a too-hard check into the boards and an extra cross-check before he turns around, spitting mad at the roughhousing.
The whistle blows, and we drop our gloves.
Moving in circles with our fists raised as the other players stand and watch, I’m more than ready to put this asshole in his place.
“If I had known you wanted to dance, I’d have asked you to the prom. Are you going to throw a punch, or do I need to start this right?”
“You’re an asshole,” he sneers.
“I’ve been called worse.” Impatient with this two-step sideshow, I grab his jersey and land a punch to the side of his face. He flails and throws a punch that glances off my shoulder before I smash a fist into his nose, and he goes down like a bag of rocks.
I have zero patience or sympathy for players out to hurt the skilled forwards on the ice. The linesman guides me to the penalty box, and Burnsy skates over with my stick and gloves. “Like a boss, Captain.”
“Thanks. Now my knuckles are sore thanks to that asshole.”
I sit in the penalty box for the remainder of the period. Somehow, we finish the game with no one else getting hurt and win 5-4. Number 7 never returned, and it’s probably for the best.
I finally have a free day to arrange a call with Ben. Five days is too long not to hear his voice. We left immediately after the last game in Calgary to travel to Montana.
My hand still hurts from punching that guy. I’m tired and horny, and I miss Ben.
I made damn sure to put the Do-Not-Disturb sign on the door this morning after breakfast. Today we get to rest and practice later with an afternoon game tomorrow. We’ve won two games, and our team has been playing well enough, but my game hasn’t been where it should be.
I know it, and my teammates know it too. Coach has said nothing yet, but I know it’s coming, and I need to do better. I’m the damn captain, and I’ve been giving up the puck so much at the blue line that I could secure a starting lineup position with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Burnsy went to the gym after breakfast, dedicated athlete that he is, but I’m not feeling it today.
Pulling out my phone, I send Ben a quick text asking if he can video chat.
He replies after a minute by calling me.
When I accept the call, his sleepy face comes into view, and I won’t admit I sigh at the sight.
With sleep-mussed hair and a familiar sheet set, I know he’s in my bed as he stretches an arm overhead.
“Hey.”
His voice is still thick with sleep, and oh, how my entire being wishes I were there in that bed with him.
“Hi, did I wake you?”
Ben shakes his head. Sleepy smile still in place. “Only a little. I was dozing. After the late class last night, I practiced a new routine. I was hoping you’d call this morning so I wouldn’t fall back asleep.”
With the time difference, it’s 7 A.M. for him, and if he doesn’t have a morning class, he likes to lie around in bed longer than usual.
“I don’t get to see your routine before the show this time.”
He laughs a sleepy laugh before sitting up a little.
His free hand slides down his chest and pinches his nipple between his fingers.
“No, but I could give you a new show. A personal one just for you.” Ben’s voice turns thick as he flips the blankets back, revealing his naked body, and my skin burns molten hot. “Are you alone?”
“Y-yeah.” Clearing my throat, Ben laughs softly as he shifts the phone.
“You want to watch me, Lukas? See me get myself off while I wish you were here with me?”
I can’t answer because I can’t decide where to look or what to do. With my phone in one hand, I stuff the free hand in my boxers and shove the blankets down with my feet.
Ben hums in approval. “Show me your cock, Lukas. Are you already hard thinking of me sucking you down as soon as you step through the door? Because that’s what I want to do.”
Panning the phone down, I show him my hand stroking my length, and his filthy chuckle sounds. “Fuck me, I keep forgetting how massive you are.”
I move the phone so I can focus on him more, and Ben’s gaze is more awake, but he has this sexy air about him all the time.
It’s amplified knowing he’s in my sheets, and the way he just jerks himself like being watched isn’t anything new.
He’s relaxed and supple while I’m keyed up tighter than a new guitar string simply by watching.
“Lukas…I slept in your bed two nights without you, and I came by myself both times. I fucking hate not having you here. What are you going to do to me when you get home?”
Breathless, needy, and so irresistibly Ben.
“I want to kiss you.” I answer immediately, and Ben’s eyes lock on mine.
“I want to kiss you so hard you fight to breathe. Then I want to…to…” my breath hitches as I close my eyes, already too close to coming.
“I want to pin you against the wall and rail you like that first night we met. Wrap your legs around me so tight while you hang on.”
The only sounds are heavy breathing, and when I open my eyes, Ben is still watching me, his hand stroking furiously.
Pink-stained cheeks and lips parted, he holds my gaze.
“Lukas…” He groans as his cock spurts cum on his stomach, and a white flash up my spine catches me by surprise.
My balls draw tight, and I’m gasping as I make a mess of my boxers while lying on the hotel bed.
We both just stare at each other for a beat before Ben breaks the silence.
“Well, that was a great way to wake up. The only thing that would make it better is if it weren’t by video.” His voice drops to a whisper. “I miss you. Not just the sex. I miss you, Lukas.”
Ben’s sincerity is both a shock and something I needed to hear.
“I miss you too. I’ll be home soon. Have you listened to any of our games? I’m playing…not great.”
Ben’s laugh returns to light and carefree. “I’ve listened. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know you hurt someone. How are your knuckles?”
I hold up the same hand still filled with cum and flex my fingers to show him.
“Not horrible.” I open my mouth to say more when the beep of the door sounds, and I curse.
Rolling off the bed, I quickly waddle to the bathroom and close the door.
“Burnsy just got back. I had to beeline to the bathroom.”
Ben laughs again and leans close to the camera. “You should get cleaned up. Think of me when you do?”
“I always think of you.”
The words spill out, and Ben stares at the screen, remaining quiet. “Thanks, Lukas. I should get going. These plants don’t water themselves, and I’ve got toast to burn.”
“Yeah. Five more days, babe.”
“It was good to see you. Call again when you’re free.”
“I will.”
Ben nods and waves before ending the call, and I set my phone on the counter with a long breath. How do guys with families do this all the time?
“Yo!” A knock on the bathroom door sounds. “Piney, I need the shitter soon. Are you gonna be much longer?”
“Give me five and it’s yours,” I call out.
This is going to be a long year. I crank the cold water and step into the shower. Even though I just came, I need the cold. Once isn’t enough to satisfy my appetite for Ben.
Not even close.
Five more days will feel like five years.