Chapter 29
THE LOGO ON TOBIAS’ jersey had never been more appropriate than it was as he left the ice.
As he walked down the tunnel into Philly’s locker room, he was reborn, a phoenix rising from the ashes and ready to restart his life in the best possible way.
His skin was on fire, not just from the sweat emanating from every pore of his body, but from the anticipation of what was to come.
Tobias walked to his locker, receiving slaps to his back, his ass, his helmet as he did, but he felt untouchable. He trembled, knowing what he was about to do, and rushed to the bench in front of his locker and sat, bending over to untie his skates. They were the first thing he needed to remove.
He almost didn’t notice Reggie Wolf sit next to him until he spoke.
“Sick game, Moyer. You’re gonna have Kendrick thinking you’re coming for his job.”
As if Wolf summoned him, a group of current players breezed into the locker room. Shane Kendrick made a beeline for him, tackling him in a hug and almost sending him backward over the bench.
“You were incredible!” he shouted. “I knew you still had it in you.” He turned to Wolf. “Coach, I still have my spot right?”
Wolf chuckled, and Tobias gave Shane a slap to his shoulder before straightening them both on the bench so he could resume untying his skates.
“Don’t you worry, Shane. I’m retired for good, but this was exactly what I needed.”
Tobias managed to yank off one skate before the press reached him. For an alumni game, there weren’t nearly as many cameras and reporters around, only one of the local news programs and one guy capturing everything for the team.
A man a little shorter than Chase in a crisp navy suit spoke up, a cameraman beside him.
“Tobias Moyer, how did it feel to be back on the ice for the Inferno tonight?” he asked.
Tobias began untying the laces on his other skate before the guy finished the question, and Tobias paused to answer him.
“It was unreal. I’m glad Sophie talked me into it.”
The reporter brightened and pounced on the tidbit of information.
“Is Sophie a girlfriend?”
“No, no. Sophie Hanson works in PR for the Inferno. Smart as hell,” Tobias said, and the reporter smiled. If not for her, or Riley and Josh talking him into playing, he’d never have made it back on that ice.
Tobias reached down to finish untying his other skate and slipped out of it while the reporter continued.
“We haven’t heard much from you since you retired. Fans are so excited to see you out there. How did it feel to sink that empty-net goal?”
“I’m not sure I believe it yet. I’m gonna have to watch it on replay. It’s something I’d never done while I played, so it feels great to get it tonight.”
As he finished, the doors to the locker room opened again and people dressed in fan gear started to pour in, likely family and friends of other guys in the room.
It only took a moment before Tobias spotted his own fan group.
Natalie and Grace beamed as they entered, an awestruck Madison on Grace’s hip.
Her eyes darted everywhere as she took in the locker room.
He almost giggled when her face scrunched up, likely just noticing the smell.
Hidden behind his girls was a crop of brown hair belonging to the love of his life, and when he stepped to Natalie’s side, his face filled with nerves, Tobias knew exactly how to fix it.
“Tobias, what have you been up to since retirement? Do you have a special someone these days?” the reporter asked, the perfect opening for what he needed to do.
“As a matter of fact I do.”
Tobias stood from his spot, and Chase froze as his eyes fell on him. Tobias stalked forward, so thankful he took off his skates because they would only make it harder to reach him.
A nervous smile appeared on Chase’s face as Tobias approached. Tobias didn’t bother with words. He didn’t need them, because there was only one way to show Chase he was in this for real. That he was serious about him, and he wasn’t afraid anymore.
“Tobias, you were—”
Tobias didn’t give Chase a chance to finish his sentence.
He wrapped one arm around Chase’s waist, the other pressed softly against his face, and leaned down to kiss him.
Tobias heard a shocked whimper escape Chase as their lips met. After a moment’s hesitation, Chase’s arms wrapped around him, and everything felt right.
He vaguely heard shouts and cheers, all of it white noise as he dipped Chase in his arms, like he was a hero returning home from war instead of a sweaty hockey player after a game.
It was the most powerful Tobias had ever felt. And he didn’t give a flying fuck who was watching. Was there a chance he’d throw up later thinking about it? Absolutely. But that didn’t matter now.
As much as he would have liked to keep kissing Chase forever, it wasn’t the best option with the crowd watching, so he stood up, pulling Chase with him.
He ended the kiss but pressed their foreheads together, not ready to let go of him yet.
“I love you, Chase,” he muttered, and Chase’s eyes flew open. “I’m so sorry I was afraid. I’m not anymore. I love you.”
Chase released a choked sob, his eyes beginning to water, but he managed to rasp, “I love you, too.”
Tobias pushed forward for one more kiss and squeezed Chase tightly.
“Oby is in love!” Madison shouted, and chuckles rose from the small crowd surrounding them.
Knowing he couldn’t hold Chase forever, as much as he wanted to, Tobias released him, but kept one arm clamped around his waist, then turned to the wide eyes and smiles around him in the locker room.
The same reporter stood at a respectable distance but didn’t ask anymore questions, which Tobias appreciated, a soft smile on the newsman’s face as the cameraman lingered beside him, filming everyone’s reactions.
It would have been awkward to come out of a life-changing kiss with a camera directly in his face.
Some of his nerves must have shown, and Natalie stepped forward, blocking Tobias from the camera.
“Yeah, yeah, my brother is awesome and I’m proud as hell of him, but did you see these medals?” she said as she held up a medal in each hand, gaining the attention of the reporter and cameraman while throwing Tobias a wink. He was so glad to have her here.
Tobias turned to Madison and Grace and enveloped them in a hug, keeping his arm wrapped around Chase. He would never let him go.
“Ew, you stink,” Madison said, drawing chuckles from those around them who weren’t distracted by Natalie.
“I’m so proud of you, Toby,” Grace said through tears of her own. “That was the best game I’ve ever seen you play.”
Another man may have been offended at his mom’s words. He’d won two Stanley Cups, after all.
But tonight was different. Tonight, Tobias played with no restraints. No worries about the secrets he hid. He was finally free.
Chase smiled proudly. He still hadn’t said anything, except the three words Tobias had hoped to hear. He’d never seen Chase speechless, and Tobias relished the moment. He planted a kiss on the top of his head and heard a happy sigh from Chase.
Tobias chuckled to himself, thinking he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so content, so happy.
A force barreled into his side, the only thing visible a blond mop of hair pressed against his face.
“I’m so happy for you, man,” Shane Kendrick rasped. His arms were wrapped around both him and Chase, and Tobias chuckled at Chase’s impression of a deer in headlights.
Even before they’d met, Chase had been a huge Inferno fan. He must have been internally freaking out at being held by two different Inferno players. Tobias had a feeling he’d be seeing more of his teammates after this, so hopefully Chase would get a little less star-struck each time.
Tobias spent the next half hour introducing Chase, Madison, Natalie and his mom to everyone on the team who was still in the locker room.
The players all took their time shedding their gear, since it was something they didn’t get to wear anymore, and they were likely getting stiff.
He had a feeling the ice baths would be full once everyone else left the locker room.
He couldn’t tell who was more excited to meet everyone, Madison or Chase. It was adorable.
Until Phil the Phoenix walked into the locker room, and Madison forgot anyone else existed.
“Phil!” she shouted, jumping out of Tobias’ arms and rushing over to the mascot. Natalie took a break from working the room to take pictures of Madison with Phil.
Tobias didn’t know who was under the mask, but the guy had been an instant fan favorite when the mascot was introduced this past summer. He hadn’t thought anything of the Inferno not having a mascot when he played, but the Phoenix made the games more fun for fans—and for lots of unhinged memes.
Phil took a knee and opened his arms to Madison, and she jumped right into them, wrapping her arms around him in a big bear—or bird?—hug.
Behind them, Coach Wolf’s eyes widened, and he turned and made an escape toward the showers. Maybe he had a fear of birds the team didn’t know about, or maybe it was those soulless eyes of Phil’s freaking him out. He wouldn’t be the only one.
Tobias didn’t have time to think about it as Shane made his way over to him and Chase.
“So, Chase,” Shane started, excitement lacing his voice, “Tobias says you teach yoga. Mills and I had an idea for a camp to host this summer, maybe at the gym? We were thinking, like, dry-land training for hockey players and a select number of fans, and we can make it a fundraiser for cancer research. Would you guys be interested?”
Tobias smiled at Chase and watched as he transformed from gaping fanboy to the fitness businessman Tobias knew and loved.
“Yes! That would be awesome,” Chase said, and Tobias remembered he’d lost his own mom to cancer.
“We could run the gamut between yoga and high-intensity interval training with Tobias. Fans could bid on spots since we could only host so many in the gym. Or, another idea, we can hold a contest to boost awareness and have people share their stories of either surviving cancer or from people who have lost loved ones because of it. Oh, and players can auction off items to help raise money. Maybe we can incorporate a 5k race…”
It was hard not to chuckle as Tobias took in Shane’s awestruck face as Chase laid out idea after idea.
“I like him,” Shane said when he turned to Tobias. “I might like him more than I like you.”
“Honestly, I’d be surprised if you didn’t,” Tobias said as he smiled at Chase. “He’s pretty damn lovable.”
Tobias wanted to preen at the traces of pink staining Chase’s face.
Instead, Sophie cleared her throat in the middle of the room, getting the attention of everyone.
“Family and friends of players, unless you want to get an eyeful, it’s time to head out of the locker room. You can wait in the lounge next door if you weren’t done chatting with everyone, but the players need some privacy for now.”
As if on cue, Wolf walked into the locker room wrapped in just a towel. The man looked good at forty, and he got some catcalls. Mostly from his own players.
Tobias chuckled as Phil the Phoenix covered his eyes with his feathered hands, but peeked through his fingers.
“Glad you enjoyed the show, everyone,” Wolf said. “If you didn’t play tonight, clear on out, or Sophie will have your head.”
She smiled at the small crowd before she said, “He’s not wrong.” She clapped her hands and started herding everyone toward the locker room doors.
Chase pulled Tobias toward him and whispered in his ear, “Come to my place tonight. I’ve got something special for you.”
Tobias pulled him in for one more kiss before Sophie shepherded him out, along with Madison, Natalie and Grace.
“You got it, boss,” Tobias said, throwing a wink at Chase. It delighted him to see the sexy smirk on his man’s face.
He had no idea what Chase planned, but he couldn’t wait to find out.
————————
Tobias knocked on Chase’s door and heard some shuffling and the lock turn, but it still didn’t open. A moment later he heard “come in,” and Tobias walked inside to find Chase’s front room empty.
“Chase?” he called out.
“Come find me,” Chase called back.
Considering it was a one-bedroom apartment and he had a full view of the kitchen and living room, there weren’t many other places to choose from.
He walked through the space and peeked in the open door of the dark bathroom on his way to Chase’s bedroom, soft light escaping into the hallway.
When he reached the open doorway, he nearly swallowed his tongue.
Chase knelt on his bed, hands on his hips and smirking at him seductively. He wore an Inferno jersey and his legs were bare.
With a smirk, Chase spun on the bed, revealing the number twenty-seven and “Moyer” on his back. Chase cinched the jersey at his waist, pulling it up enough so Tobias could see the curve of his tight ass peeking from underneath the jersey, two straps disappearing below his cheeks.
He wore a damn jockstrap.
“Fuck,” Tobias exhaled.
“If you want to,” Chase responded.
“What?”
Tobias’ gaze cut from Chase’s delectable ass to his sweet face.
“Tonight you can fuck me while I’m wearing your jersey, if you want. I’m happy to take control and show you how amazing I think you were tonight, or you can start by fucking me and then I can take a turn on your ass. It’s your choice, Toby. Either way, I’ve taken some things off your plate.”
Chase bent forward, arching his back and putting his ass on display, as well as the bright red plug shoved between his cheeks.”
Holy shit.
‘What the hell are you waiting for?’
I don’t know. I can’t move.
‘There’s a walking, talking wet dream on the bed. Fucking move.’
“Okay, okay, I will.”
“You will what?” Chase asked, and Tobias realized he’d been thinking out loud again.
He inched closer to the bed, mesmerized by the sight before him, and kneeled on the mattress behind Chase. His hand slid up the back of Chase’s thigh until he lightly grazed his firm ass.
“I want to fuck you just like this, and I want to hear how much you like it.”
Chase smirked over his shoulder as he wiggled his ass against Tobias’ hand.
“What are you waiting for, boss?”