Chapter 13 #2
The traffic coming into Boston is hell, and Tyler grumbles about maybe we should have gotten the train, so it’s midafternoon by the time we check in to the hotel.
I avoid looking at the woman behind the desk out of habit, keeping my chin tucked close to my chest and playing aimlessly on my phone, trying to make myself as invisible as possible while Tyler hands over his credit card and accepts the key cards.
We’re silent on the way up to the fourteenth floor, and as we reach our room for the night, the tension in the base of my neck begins to ease.
Tyler places his bag on the end of the bed, then spins around to face me. I don’t realize I’ve been standing frozen in the entryway, staring at the king-size bed until Tyler clears his throat.
“Are you gonna come inside, or you wanna sleep out in the hall?” he asks teasingly.
I give my head a small shake and step inside, allowing the door to close behind me with a soft click.
My eyes travel around the room, taking in the privacy blinds on the window and thick blackout curtains.
The hotel he’s booked is a lot better than the ones we stay in with the team, so hopefully that means there’s better soundproofing.
Nobody knows we’re here, except for Stassie. Nobody will know what happens in these four walls unless we want them to know.
“Colbs.”
Tyler takes a step forward, sliding his fingers under the strap of my bag and removing it from my shoulder. He places it down on the bed next to his, then raises his hand to push the hair that’s fallen from my face.
“This doesn’t need to be anything you don’t want it to be.
I haven’t brought you here with the expectation to have sex.
I wanted this to be a chance to get away for a while.
Play some arcade games, eat a burger, catch a game.
” Warm hands cradle my jaw. “Be two guys who enjoy each other’s company without having to worry about someone spotting us.
” He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“You’re in control here. I’ll follow your lead. ”
His brown eyes shine in earnest, causing my breath to catch. My heart pounds behind my breastbone as I take a leap and whisper, “But what if I want to have sex tonight?”
A smile lifts his lips. “Then we’ll do whatever you want to do. And if you change your mind later, that’s okay too.”
“Should I be worried that you’re trying to get me to change my mind?” I ask lightly.
“I’d never do that.” His thumb traces over the curve of my bottom lip. “I just want you to know that I’d never force you into doing something you weren’t ready for, and I’d hate for you to do something just because you think it’s what I want.”
I open my mouth, ready to ask if this is what he wants, but he speaks before I can get the words out.
“I mean, I do want this, Colbs. Don’t for a second think I don’t want you.”
And it’s the significance in those words that has me at Tyler’s mercy. My feelings grow even stronger for him with each day that passes.
How could they not?
Unable to find the words to give my gratitude justice, I brush my mouth over his in a kiss worth a thousand thank-yous.
“Come on,” he murmurs against my lips, giving me one more kiss before stepping back. “Let’s go and see what trouble we can cause in Boston.” He winks.
After a quick freshen-up, we follow Tyler’s maps app to the underground arcade he found. The floor is filled with so many different games, we struggle to decide what to play first.
After a few minutes of doing a coin toss to narrow down the options, I own him on the hoops, but then he gets me back on the air hockey table. We lose several hours playing all the various games, laughing and having fun, forgetting about the pressure that looms in the distance.
Tomorrow, we head to Tampa for the Frozen Four. The most important tournament of the year.
Since the regionals nearly two weeks ago, my inbox has been blowing up with interview requests. It’s become overwhelming, so I’ve deleted all social media apps from my phone, along with my email app too. The people who need to reach me have my cell number, and anyone who doesn’t isn’t important.
Coach Vaughn has blocked any press from being allowed in or around the practice facility too, but it doesn’t stop them from lingering outside.
And through it all, Tyler has been a rock, steady and calm, and it feels he’s taken it upon himself to step into the role of my bodyguard.
Anyone who tries to get close has to get through him.
Our teammates rib him for it, but he takes it all in his stride, though I’m fairly certain Liam is picking up on the amount of time we spend together.
But I trust Tyler to handle it.
“I’m out,” Tyler says from behind the wheel of his virtual race car. “Are you ready to grab some food?”
My stomach chooses that moment to let out a loud grumble, and Tyler tips his head back and laughs. “I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, superstar, I think I’ve had my ego wounded enough for one day.”