Chapter 1 #2
“Yeah, the house is on the smaller side.” He huffed a chuckle. “It’s only me living there, well, me and Bean.” He downed his drink and waved at the bartender. “You’re nursing that margarita.”
“I am? Oh.” I drank more of it. “Who’s Bean?” Was it a pet name for his partner? I’d seen nothing about him having a partner. But then, maybe he kept it a secret?
“Bean’s my French bulldog. He’s my best friend, well, besides Drew.” He nodded while a smile swept his lips. “I take him on the road with me. He’s quite the little traveler.”
“Oh.” A fucking dog. Of course he’d have a cute fucking dog he doted on. I inched closer to him. He was such a presence on stage. What was he like at home? “So, no, uh, partners then?” Why the hell had I asked that?
Scoffing a laugh, he said, “Oh, no…” He shook his head. “So far, it’s just me and Bean.”
The bartender stopped at our table, and he ordered a bourbon, neat.
How many of those had he had? “Did you Uber here, or do you have a chauffeur?” Weren’t most rock stars alcoholics and drug addicts? Did he do drugs?
“I was driven here. I left my car at home.” He pushed his empty glass to the end of the table. “I don’t drink and drive, if that’s what you’re getting at.” His gaze landed on mine. “How about you?”
“I walked here. I have an apartment in the high-rises close by.” I drank more of my margarita. What else could we talk about? I didn’t want to bore him. “I love your music, by the way.” Heat rushed up my neck and into my cheeks.
The bartender set his fresh drink on the table.
“Yeah? That’s good to hear.” He swept his tongue across his lips, his gaze meeting mine. “What’s your favorite song?”
Dipping my head, the heat in my cheeks grew. “Sudden…I like that song. When they play it in a game, it revs me up.” Now I sounded like a fawning fanboy. He probably heard this shit all the time.
“So, I’ve revved you up in games, huh?” He shifted even closer, his thighs resting against mine, his chest touching my shoulder. “I enjoy hearing that. You have no reason to be embarrassed. Knowing that I connect with people through my music is amazing.”
“Yeah, guess so.” He was so close. If I turned my head…I stared at my drink. In person, he differed from the man I’d pictured in my head. I’d pictured some crazy, chaotic guy who always had people around him, men and women vying for his attention.
“You seem a little nervous. Don’t be. I’m just a person, like anyone else.” He rested his hand over mine, beside my drink on the table. “What other hockey players are you friends with?”
My hand grew warm in his grasp. Wait, did he think I was queer?
I had told him about Lucas, and he’d mentioned Mason and Jett.
Everyone knew those guys were all queer.
Did he think I was by association? “Lots, I guess.” Staring at our hands, heat spread through my midsection.
I didn’t hate his attention. “I played juniors with guys all across the NHL.” I sounded like a loser again.
So many of my friends had made it, except for me.
I cleared my throat and shifted. “Lucas was my roommate. He moved out with his fiancé after he moved up to the Coyotes.”
“I see.” He tilted his head and rubbed his thumb across my knuckles. “And isn’t Lucas’s fiancé a guy?”
I shut my eyes for a beat. If I twisted my hand around and grabbed his hand, what would he do? Why the hell was I even thinking about it? This was crazy. “Uh, yeah. He met a photographer last year, who’d taken photos of the team for a charity calendar.”
“Oh? So, you’re in this calendar?” He breathed me in.
“I, I am. I think it’s still for sale on the website.” I was rambling like a fool. How could I get out of this? Did I even want to? Was it gay to be tempted by a rock god like him? But he would tempt anyone.
“I’ll have to get one.” His hand left mine to adjust the fly of his black jeans. “Are you wearing your hockey gear—”
“We were all shirtless. The concept was to mimic some of those firemen calendars.” I sucked in a breath. Holy fuck, this was intense. Twisting my head, I flicked my gaze to his lips, glistening in the low light. They looked soft. My cock twitched. Fuck me. My damn dick had lost its mind.
“Then I have to get one. I’d love to see what you look like with your shirt off.” He arched a brow and sipped his drink. “You guys are all built so…well.” He leaned back in the booth and extended his legs, the heat of his body leaving my side.
He wanted to buy the calendar to see me? What should I say about that? “Thanks.” I sipped my drink and let my gaze wander to his face. He wasn’t as close now. But what just happened? A test, maybe, to see if I’d pull away? I hadn’t.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” With a smirk, he drank his bourbon and hissed.
“No, I’ve been dating here and there, but nothing serious.
” My heart slowed. He didn’t ask if I had a boyfriend.
He must think I’m straight. Wait, he knows I’m straight.
A tiny ache ghosted across my heart. Jesus, what was wrong with me?
“S-so, you don’t have a partner at home.
But are you dating anyone?” Would he disclose it to me if he were?
“Nope.” He gave a sharp chuckle. “I haven’t had the time. I’m sure you know what it’s like, traveling and all that.” As his gaze met mine, he studied me. “I’m sure you have your fair share of puck bunnies, though.” He shrugged. “I mean, a guy as attractive as you.”
He thinks I’m attractive? Ronan fucking Vale…
thinks I’m attractive? “Yeah, sure, they’re always at the games.
” There would be even more at the Coyotes’ games.
I leaned back in the bench seat, and my shoulders settled against his forearm, resting across the back cushion.
I wouldn’t move away from him. Did I want him to assume I wanted him?
But fuck, I kind of did. I focused on the pout of his mouth and the faint black stubble above his upper lip.
Would it be scratchy if we kissed? My dick tingled and plumped.
I had to stop this. I’d regret it later.
Darting his tongue into the corner of his mouth, he smirked. “I’m just going to come out and ask you something, okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” I shifted and sipped my margarita. I wasn’t sure I liked his tone. It was too serious.
“Are you attracted to guys, Evan? Have you ever been with a guy?” His forehead wrinkled. “I’m getting sort of mixed vibes here, and your friend is queer, so…”
I dropped my mouth open. How should I answer? No, hell no. I’m not attracted to guys. Except him. Fuck. Is this how Lucas felt when he met Ezra? “I’m straight. I’ve never been with a guy.”
He edged away from me, his thigh leaving mine, his arm dropping to his side. “Okay. Sorry, I thought maybe you’d want—” Dipping his head and shaking it, he scoffed a laugh. “Sorry. I misread things.”
But he hadn’t. Not entirely. “Yeah, no, it’s cool, man.
I don’t have any problems with it. Both of my best friends are bi.
I’m pretty comfortable with affection from guys.
” I slumped my shoulders. He’d wanted to hook up with me, and I’d almost let him.
I drank the rest of my cocktail as tightness filled my chest. Who was I fooling? I wanted him too.
“Do you want another drink?” His lips curled at the corners.
“No, I have a morning workout with the team.” With a sharp exhale, I slapped my hands on the table. I should leave before this goes any further. “The trainers will do some evaluations on me, and I need to perform at my best.”
“Sure, I get it.” He tilted his glass on the table, glancing at it. “It was very nice meeting you, Evan Crosby.” As his gaze found mine, he gave me a warm grin. “I hope I see you again sometime.” He held his hand out.
I shook his hand, holding onto it for maybe a beat too long. “Thanks. It was amazing meeting you.” If he wanted to see me again, should we exchange numbers? Of course not. Unless he asked me. Then I’d give him my number. I slid out of the booth and stood. “Well, I’ll be off.”
“Okay. I’ll watch the playoffs.” He smiled again, and then his face went flat as he sipped his drink. “Good luck.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I glanced around me. People were filling the place. Surely, he’d find some other guy to take home. Heat crawled across my chest. I wouldn’t think about that. I needed to leave before it got awkward, but my damned legs wouldn’t move.
“Bye now.” He waved at me.
“Bye.” I forced deliberate steps toward the gate. I had to leave him here, but I sure as hell would remember this for a long ass time.