Chapter 11 #3
“Will you be able to focus on the games this week?” Evan, sitting in the seat next to me, eyed me.
“Yeah.” No. I twisted my lips. I had to let this go. Ezra was a full grown man, older than me. He could take care of himself.
“He’s getting an order of protection, right?” Evan grabbed the handle above the window, his attention shifting outside.
“He is. He’s doing that tomorrow.” I threaded my fingers in my lap.
“Tate came by his place this morning and the neighbor called the police. She sent Ezra the video.” Shit, the police were supposed to contact him today.
Why hadn’t they called him before I’d left?
Maybe it wasn’t a priority, and they had other shit to handle.
“Jesus.” Evan squeezed my thigh. “He’ll be all right.” He looked me over. “How is it? Being gay, I mean.” He lifted the corner of his mouth.
“What?” With a snort, I shook my head. “It’s great, actually. You should try it.” He couldn’t help but chirp at me. Maybe he was trying to distract me from the other bullshit. Leaning over, I cupped his ear and whispered, “You should try sucking dick some time. It’s amazing.”
“Dude.” He scoffed a laugh. “No, thank you.” His gaze snapped to mine. “Did you…?”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I said, “I don’t kiss and tell.” That’d fix him. Now he’d be wondering about it the entire trip.
After checking into our hotel in Vegas, we had some downtime. Because it wasn’t on the Strip, the hotel was inexpensive and we each had a room. The game wasn’t until tonight, so I could chill and relax. Speaking with Ezra was first on the agenda. I called him and the phone rang twice.
“Lucas?”
“Hey, Ezra. I’m here in Vegas.” Warmth fluttered through my heart. I paced across the dingy carpet and gazed through the window at the parking lot below. I was on the second floor. “How are you doing? Have you heard anything?” Tate wouldn’t try to show up at my place, would he?
“I’m fine. I’m relaxing and watching a funny show.” He sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I did that.”
“Good.” My gaze ran over the bare wooden headboard and white sheets and comforter on the bed. I traced a line across the desk across from it. “Have you heard from the police yet?”
“I have. An officer called me, and I gave him all the details. He said getting an order of protection would help a lot. Then they can patrol my studio and my apartment more.”
“Shit, really?” Maybe I could stop worrying so much while I was gone. I sat on the edge of the bed. “Let me know as soon as you file the order, okay?”
“I will.” He breathed in. “Lucas, don’t worry about me. I can handle this.”
“Yeah, okay.” I slumped. I needed to focus on hockey right now.
“Can I watch your game tonight?”
“You can. I have a streaming app on our television you can use.” I straightened my shoulders. I’d play well and make him proud tonight.
“Great. Score a goal for me.” He snickered.
“I’ll do my best, but I’m on defense. An assist or two is more likely.” I glanced at the clock next to the bed. Maybe I could fit in another call with my brother. “Well, since you're all set, I’ll let you go.”
“Okay, talk to you soon. Bye.”
“Bye.” I ended the call and dialed Mason. Was he on the road, too?
The phone rang a few times and picked up. “Hey, bro. What’s up?” Mason asked. “How’s the situation with the photographer?”
“It’s…damn, Mason, it’s good.” My insides fluttered with warmth. “We’re still dealing with the ex, but Ezra is getting an order of protection against him tomorrow and we have police evidence of the guy hanging around and being suspicious.” A judge would grant the order, right?
“Okay, so not to be gross, because I am your brother, but are you enjoying crossing swords with the guy?” He snickered.
“Mason, Jesus,” Jett said in the background.
Crossing swords? Oh…“It’s like Jett told me. It’s coming naturally. We’re taking it slowly and Ezra is very careful.” Maybe too careful? Every time I’d thought about what we’d done, my dick wanted more.
“Good. Wait until he tickles your prostate.”
I fake gagged. I should have known he’d go there.
“Give me the phone,” Jett said with a huff. “Lucas? It’s Jett. You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“Yeah, I know.” How did I feel about the anal stuff? This was all so new. I tensed my mouth. Would Ezra want me to do it? “Jett? Do all gay guys like anal sex?”
“No, they don’t. It’s up to the person and the couple,” he said. “You need to discuss this with Ezra. And you need to be safe.”
“I’d use a condom.” Would I be willing to top Ezra? Damn, that could be hot. There was so much I didn’t know. I played with a fold in my joggers.
“That’s good, but he may also be on PrEP, or you might consider it. A lot of queer men are. It’s a great defense against getting HIV and—”
“Oh, shit.” As I planted my hand on my forehead, I stared at the floor. I’d never considered that before. I wore condoms with puck bunnies to be sure I didn’t end up being a baby daddy and for other STIs.
“Just…talk with Ezra.” Jett’s voice lowered. “I didn’t have anal sex until I met your brother.” He tutted. “Sorry, if that’s TMI.”
“No, coming from you, it isn’t as cringy.” I inhaled deeply. “We’ve done nothing anal.” Could I get HIV from oral sex? But I didn’t swallow his cum. “What about blowjobs? Can you get HIV from that?” Thank God I was talking to Jett and not Mason.
“You can, but it’s pretty rare. There have to be some extenuating circumstances. The chances are low, but they’re not zero,” Jett said.
“Listen to him, bro,” Mason called out in the background.
“Okay, okay.” Nodding, I stood. As the game neared, I had so much to think about.
“You really like this guy, don’t you?” Jett asked.
“I do. It’s weird. I don’t think I’ve been attracted to any other guys except him. He’s got a way about him that…fuck, it makes my stomach woozy and my heart pound.” I sniggered. “I sound like I’m in a romance novel.”
“Enjoy it, Lucas. Feeling that strongly about someone and having them feel the same is a gift.” He chuckled. “That’s how it was when I met your brother.” He huffed. “Well, once he stopped annoying the hell out of me, which he still does occasionally.”
“Come on, you love it,” Mason yelled.
A smile swept over my mouth. Those two were made for each other, one on the quiet and moody side and the other cocky and loud. “Thanks, man. I’m off to the rink. Chat soon.”
“You’re welcome. Anytime,” Jett said. “Bye.”
“Bye.” I ended the call.
Near the end of the first period against Vegas, I sucked balls and not in a good way. I sat on the bench next to Crosby, chewing my mouthpiece and watching the guys battling on the ice. I’d let at least three easy shots make it to Gagnon. Thank God he’d blocked them.
Crosby leaned in. “What the fuck is up with you?” He bumped my shoulder with his. “It’s Ezra, isn’t it?”
I threw him a glance. Fuck, I’d been worrying nonstop about him. In a game, I didn’t have my phone. What if something happened, and he’d texted or called? “Yeah, maybe.” And then I needed to have the conversation about sex.
“He’s a grown ass man. You’re not doing him any favors by blowing this game. He’ll probably blame himself.” He glared at me. “Focus on what’s important. There’s not a damn thing you can do about Ezra’s situation right now.”
“Fuck.” He was right. Worrying about the unknown was stupid. All I could control was my hockey for now. “I’m sorry, Crosby. I’ll do better next time out.”
“I know you will.” He patted my shoulder with his gloved hand and then glanced at Coach standing behind us. “Time to get out there.”