Chapter 7
LUCAS
I was in over my head, and I didn’t give two shits about it.
I needed to be close to him. It was like I’d been with him in a past life and lost him.
Of course, I wasn’t sure I believed in past lives, but what the hell?
This defied explanation. Mason would think I was nuts.
“Do you…” I swallowed hard. What if he believed I was psycho like his ex? “Do you feel the same?”
His brown-eyed gaze softened. “Yes, of course I do.” He turned his hand in mine and squeezed it. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been there tonight.”
“Do you think Tate would have talked you out of breaking up with him?” I worried my lower lip. I’d wanted to step in when the fucker pulled Ezra’s hair. Heat flickered inside me.
“Truthfully? I don’t know.” With a sigh, he ate a bite of pizza.
He didn’t seem very hungry. I’d already downed two slices to his half slice.
Motion in the window caught my attention.
Was it Tate? “We need a plan.” It disturbed me to think the guy might be skulking around outside or watching us.
I rose and lowered the window shade and then on the window by his dinette. What if Tate tried to kick the door in?
“What are you doing?” Ezra drank his beer.
I shouldn’t tell him what I saw. I didn’t want to worry him. “I’m just making it a little safer, that’s all.” Grabbing a chair, I propped it under the door handle. “There.” I planted my hands on my hips.
Ezra gave a soft chuckle. “Jesus, Lucas. Do you really think that’s necessary?”
“You only have a deadbolt on that door. Anyone could kick it in.” My breath hitched. Fuck, I’d forgotten to ask about the gun. “Hey, uh, does Tate own a firearm?” I freed a stuttered laugh.
With his eyes widening, Ezra slowly nodded. “His father has quite the gun safe. I know Tate keeps a Glock at his place, but he could get his hands on any number of guns.” His jaw muscle bulged. “You don’t think he’d come around—”
“No, I’m sure he’s not that fucked up. Right?” I rubbed my neck. Shit, maybe we should go to my place tonight? “I mean, you know him best.”
“His handgun is intended for protection. He has some expensive things in his home.” Ezra twisted his lips.
Heavy guitars blared through the room.
I jumped, and Ezra shook his plate. “Fuck.” It was my phone. I sped to it and picked it up. “Hello?”
Ezra lifted a shaking hand to his forehead. “Jesus Christ.” He sniggered.
“Dude, where are you?” Evan asked.
He’d been out when I left, and I hadn’t told him about this. “I’m at Ezra’s place.”
“You are? Why?”
I glanced at Ezra, taking measured bites of his pizza.
Grabbing my phone tighter, I paced across the floor and into the kitchen.
Whispering, I said, “He broke up with the asshole tonight and I was there for him. Good thing too.” Heat sparked inside me at the image of Tate snatching Ezra’s arm. Tate hurt him. I could tell.
“What happened?”
“Tate wouldn’t let him leave. He…” I glanced behind me at Ezra, still eating and staring into the room. Fuck, I didn’t want him to hear me. “Hey, I’m going to take this into your bedroom.”
“Sure.” Ezra gazed at me with hollow eyes.
An ache stretched across my heart. I need to be quick with the phone call.
After jogging into the bedroom, I closed the door and turned on the ceiling fan’s overhead light.
“The fucker pulled his hair, right in Ocean Club.” I clenched my jaw.
“If I hadn’t been there, he would have hurt Ezra even more. ”
“Jesus, Lucas.” Evan clicked his tongue. “So, what will you do now?”
“I’m spending the night here with him.” I looked over his bedroom, the blue paisley bedspread and the mismatch of dressers and headboard on the bed, all painted in white. Had he picked up his furniture in a garage sale and fixed it up? It wouldn’t surprise me.
“You’re sleeping with him? Dude, are you turning gay on me?” He snickered.
“No, I’m sleeping on the couch and I’m not turning gay on you.” I scoffed. He had to chirp, even at a time like this. “I’m afraid his boyfriend is going to show up.”
“And you’ll be sleeping in his apartment,” he said. “You know, if he finds you there, he’s going to take you out.”
“I’m stronger than him.” I straightened my spine. In fact, I’d enjoy giving the fucker what he deserved.
“Bring Ezra here, Lucas. We have a couch too. Neither of you is safe there.” He exhaled. “You’re obviously not thinking straight.” He chuckled. “Get it?”
As the edge of my lips lifted, I said, “Stop it.” He was right. Now if only I could convince Ezra to leave. I had a feeling he wouldn’t want to. “I’ll see you shortly.”
“Okay. Text me the address. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, buddy.” I knew I could count on him. With a smile, I ended the call, texted Ezra’s address to Evan and strode into the main room.
“That was your roommate, Evan, I take it?” Ezra started on a new pizza slice.
Good, he was eating. I dropped in beside him and grabbed more pizza for myself. “Yes, and he thinks we should go to my place tonight.” As I chewed, I eyed him. “I think he’s right. It could be dangerous, staying here.” What would he do?
He set his slice on his plate. “I have all my things here and I need to edit photos tomorrow.”
“Bring what you need for tonight and we’ll come back in the morning.” I had a rare day off from practice and could help him. I ate more pizza.
With a sigh, he said, “Okay. I guess you’re right. You said you lived close by?” His gaze swung to mine.
“I do, by downtown Scottsdale and the Fashion Square shopping mall.” I downed the rest of my beer. What would having him in my place be like? I perused his furnishings. My place looked more like a frat house, except with pooled hockey salaries. We were on the third floor and had a pleasant view.
He rocked once. “Okay. Let’s finish the pizza and go.”
After cleaning up and packing Ezra’s things for the night, I crept the door open and looked around. My heart thundered in my ears. Tate had to have finished his fancy dinner by now. Was he out here, waiting for us?
“See anyone?” Ezra stood behind me, a backpack slung over one shoulder.
“Nope. I think it’s clear.” I stepped onto the walkway and waited for him to lock the door, scanning the pool area and courtyard for movement.
So far, so good. “Come on.” I snatched his hand and led him to the parking lot, glancing at our entwined hands.
I’d become comfortable holding his hand.
It was like second nature now. Is this how it started?
The sexual awakening Mason told me about?
As we reached my Jeep, I caught movement across the lot. “Fuck, hold on.” I swung Ezra into my chest, one arm wrapped around his shoulders and one on his lower back, my pulse ratcheting up a notch.
“What?” He turned his head. “Oh, that guy lives here. I’ve seen him before.”
“Okay.” As my gaze met Ezra’s, his body heat shivered over my skin. He was in my arms and his face was so close. I focused on the pout of his lips, and they parted. Fuck, I’d never wanted to kiss someone so badly in my life. But he’s a guy, Lucas.
“Lucas? Something wrong?” He tilted his head, inching closer against me.
“Uh, no…” I pulled on his lower back and his dick brushed mine through our jeans.
As a shudder rolled through me, my cock pulsed and lengthened.
Jesus fuck, he was making me hard. I released him and stepped away.
I had to focus here. “Get in.” I strode to my door and climbed inside the Jeep while he did the same.
We drove in silence to my place, only about five minutes away.
Evan stood in the entry, wrapped in a team shirt and joggers. “Hey, I’m glad you’re here. I was worrying about you.” His gaze landed on Ezra. “Hey, man. Good to see you again. I’m sorry you’re going through this shit. It sucks.”
“Thank you. It does suck.” Ezra huffed. “And thank you for having me here.”
Clearing my throat, I stretched my hand for Ezra’s and stopped. It might look suspicious to Evan if I held Ezra’s hand. I strolled into the room and spied the couch, already set up with pillows and a blanket. Damn, Evan was a good guy.
“I hope this is comfortable enough.” Evan followed us, skimming his hand over the back of his head. “I can get another blanket if you think—”
“No, this looks fine. I’m not picky.” Ezra gave Evan a weak grin. “I just hope I’m not putting you out.” He dropped his backpack on the floor by the couch and loveseat combo.
“You’re not.” I glanced at Evan. Would he talk with us a while? Ezra seemed tired.
“Can I get you something to drink? Water? Gatorade?” Evan snickered. “Beer?”
Ezra sat on the end of the sofa. “Maybe a beer?” He slid his hand over the dark leather of our couch. “This is nice.”
“Hand me down. My mom got new couches last year and gave me her old ones.” Evan grabbed some beer cans from the refrigerator and handed them out.
Opening my beer, I fell in next to Ezra, but not as close as I’d been at his place. I didn’t want Evan getting any ideas.
Evan sat on the loveseat and sipped his beer. “So, tell me what happened.”
“My boyfriend got physical with me, and I broke up with him.” Ezra drank some beer. “End of story.” His gaze cut to Evan’s. “I’m not going back to him.”
Nodding, Evan said, “Well, you have us now.” He grinned at me. “Right, Hopkins?”
“Right.” Obviously, Ezra didn’t want to talk any more about it tonight.
We talked about photography with Ezra for about an hour while we finished our beers and then readied for bed. I let Ezra use my bathroom, since I had the primary bedroom.
My bathroom door swung open, and Ezra stepped out, wearing only pajama bottoms, his slender chest hairless.
I rose from the edge of my bed, my cock on high alert. What was it about him that had my dick so confused? “You okay?” I walked to him and skimmed my hand down his arm.
“I’m fine. I just need some sleep. It’s been an exhausting day.” The skin on his arm pebbled, and he shivered.