Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JAMIE
I pull my new Subaru into the players' lot and grab my bags out of the back.
We're headed to Vancouver for the beginning of a road trip, which will end on Sunday with a matinee in Toronto.
I hand my luggage to player relations, then line up to get on the plane.
I check my backpack one last time, making sure the small package I put there this morning is still there.
As I get on the plane, I notice Tremblay in our now-usual row; a little ways back on the left. I take a deep breath and sit down, something everyone around us seems to expect. Tremblay has headphones on, but as the guys settle in and the plane begins to taxi, he takes them off.
“So, uh, I heard it's your birthday?”
His eyes look at me, surprised.
“How'd you know that?”
“Well, the journalists aren't the only ones with access to our stats. Plus, a certain goalie might have dropped a hint.”
He laughs at this.
“I'm probably lucky he didn't make us all head to his house for a party last night, huh?”
“I think you should probably keep your voice down if you'd like to keep it that way.” I whisper to him, winking.
As the plane takes off, I dig into my bag for the small box wrapped in navy paper with a light blue bow.
“Uh, here. For you.”
He looks so surprised at the gift, almost afraid to take it.
“For me?”
“Yeah, Cap. C'mon, open it.”
He reaches out a hand and carefully takes it, looking at me with a question in his eyes, as if to ask if it's really for him. He slips a finger carefully underneath the tape, taking far more care opening the package than I took wrapping it.
He finally slides the box out of the paper, opening it to reveal an eReader.
“I, uh, thought that maybe you'd be interested in the books I read?
I mean, I guess you sometimes seem interested in them?
But, like, I totally get that you wouldn't necessarily want anyone to see you reading them and so I thought that this was a good compromise.
But also, if I'm totally off base here, that is absolutely fine and you can give it back and we'll never speak of this again.”
Way to keep your cool, Jamie.
“You got me...an eReader?”
“Well, I actually got you some books, but the eReader is the vehicle for the books, so I guess I got you that too? Sorry, I'm rambling.”
He chuckles under his breath.
“Maybe a little. You got me books? How do I turn this on?” He holds the device upside down in his hands, reminding me a little of my grandpa with his first cell phone.
I take the eReader from his hands, brushing his fingers with mine in a way that sends a chill up my spine. I show him the button on the bottom of the device and push it, the screen coming to life.
“Ok, I've got three choices loaded on here for you. I knew you wouldn't be wild about other people seeing what you're reading so we're using this.” He wiggles the eReader in his hand.
“If anyone asks, you're reading the latest David Goggins or whatever it is you read to be so intensely focused.”
“Mostly angry texts from my Dad.”
I catch his eyes and, not for the first time, want to know more. How did he get here? What was his family like, to make him feel he needs to be the way he is? Or rather, not be the way he is?
“So what are my three choices?”
“Ok, first up: two hockey rivals get to know each other over the course of their fifteen-year careers and fall in love.”
His eyes go wide, then dart around the plane, looking to see if anyone is listening. But as usual, they're all focused on their own things – movies, books, games of cards.
“Uh...what's next?”
“Ok, book two: man gets cheated on by his fiancé and takes his straight best friend on their honeymoon instead. Except – oops! – he's not so straight!”
“They never are.”
This time, it’s my turn to be shocked, a laugh bursting forth. Still, Alexei is the only one to look our way, giving me a glance that can only be described as indulgent.
“Alright, last book – what's it got?”
I feel heat rising in my face. “Oh, uh, this one is about a veteran player who, uh, mentors a younger player. In more ways than one.”
His eyes hold mine, and I realize how close the situation is to our own. Oh, who am I kidding? I realized it when I bought the book for him, when I re-read it first to make sure he'd like it.
“I'll, uh. I'll take the first one.”
I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. I’m not sure I want to think about why.
“Oh, perfect. It's great. There's actually a series and everything, if you like it. They're even making a TV show out of it.”
With a few taps and swipes, I pull up the book and hand it to him.
“Um, Happy Birthday, Cap.”
The blush is back, and when I look up, I see Alexei in the background, winking.
“Thanks, Jamie.”
By the time we arrive in Vancouver, we have time for a quick team dinner before heading to the hotel for an early night. We'll be travelling for over a week, so it’s important not to get too tired too soon.
Even though I'm tired, the sun out the window has my body confused and struggling to fall asleep. I'm thinking of calling Avery when my phone buzzes.
Ethan Tremblay 8:22 PM
Is it legal to read this book?
Jamie Carter 8:23 PM
...?
Why wouldn't it be?
Ethan Tremblay 8:25 PM
Well, I just got to Chapter 4, and...you can write about this stuff?
And people will read it?
Jamie Carter 8:26 PM
I mean, you're reading it, aren't you?
I switch apps for a moment, quickly looking at Chapter 4 in the book I gave him. As I read the description of the players' first hookup, my dick starts to get interested.
Jamie Carter 8:28 PM
Ooh, I just checked the book. Chapter 4 is a good one.
Jesus, that would be good right now. Can't sleep at this time of day.
Think Coach would kill me if I hosted someone on Grindr?
Oh, shit. I'm gonna get fired for that. I see the three dots appear and disappear, appear and disappear. Should I tell my agent I just sexually harassed my captain?
Ethan Tremblay 8:30 PM
In a hockey town like Vancouver?
Not worth it.
Not to sound like the paranoid closeted dude or anything, but I bet that would be on The Neutral Zone before you even have the chance to come.
I wish he weren't right, but he probably is.
Jamie Carter 8:31 PM
Guess I'm stuck with my favorite hookup again.
I send him a photo of my right hand, followed by a laughing emoji.
Ethan Tremblay 8:33 PM
He may not be the best looking guy, but he gets the job done.
If he needs any help, may I suggest page 62?
Again I switch apps, scrolling quickly to find the page he suggested. There, I see a rather graphic description of one character rimming the other. Sure enough, my dick perks up even more, becoming obvious under my gray sweatpants.
Jamie Carter 8:35 PM
That definitely helps.
Before I can think about it too much, I snap a pic of my dick print and send it too.
Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Can I unsend that? Too soon, I see that he's read the message. For a moment, I'm sure he won't respond. Then, the phone buzzes and a photo appears.
His body is stretched out along a king-size bed like the one I'm on, clad in just a pair of black boxer briefs. At the front, his hard-on strains against the fabric, cupped by his hand. If I'm not mistaken, I can just see the tip of his dick poking over the waistband.
Jamie Carter 8:38 PM
That helps too.
I push my pants down, turning to the bedside table to grab some lube. I slick up my hand and begin jerking off in earnest. Before long, I hear the buzz of my phone again
Ethan Tremblay 8:41 PM
Feel free to send along any other...inspiration.
Is he...suggesting what I think he is? I look around the room, sure I'm being punked. This is a dumb idea, and there is no way I'm going to do it. With my left hand, I fumble a response.
Jamie Carter 8:43 PM
You may need to inspire me a bit more, first.
There. That will put an end to it. He may tease me a bit tomorrow at practice, but at least there won't be too much photographic evidence.
Another text comes through and I nearly drop my phone, trying not to grab it with my slicked-up right hand.
On my screen, I see those tight boxer briefs again. But this time, they're pushed down and his hand is grasping the base of a thick, cut dick.
Fuck. That is inspiring indeed.
Throwing caution to the wind, I frame my own shot, my hand grasping my cock, fingers just about to rub over the tip.
I hit send and return to the job at hand.
I'd be lying if I said it wasn't Ethan's hand I was picturing on me, Ethan's fingers playing with my slit.
Just as I reach the point of no return, I hear my phone again.
As I turn to see the screen, I'm met with the picture of a pool of cum drying on Ethan's firm, hairy stomach.
Ethan Tremblay 8:45 PM
I was very inspired.
Fuck. Fuck.
My hand shuttles over my cock, and when I come, it's his cum I feel on my skin. After a few moments, I come back to myself. I reach for my phone – after all, it's only fair.
Jamie Carter 8:43 PM
Look what you made me do.
The message shows it's been read, but the speech bubble doesn't start. The post-nut clarity hits like a brick wall.
Oh fuck. What have I done?
...and why do I want to do it again?
The next morning, I make sure to board the bus to the arena first, grabbing just a danish from the breakfast bar on my way. I pick a different seat than usual, giving Tremblay the easy out I know he's looking for. He'll sit by himself, I'll sit by myself, and we'll pretend last night didn't happen.
Ethan does not get the memo. Instead, he sits down right next to me, a confused look on his face.
“Why the new seat, dude? You can have the window on the bus, but I really need it on the plane. Helps with motion sickness.”
I stare at him, unable to manufacture a response.
He looks around the bus, and in a low voice says, “You're not gonna be weird about last night, are you?”
“I...no. Not if you're not.”
“Good.”
And with that, we settle back into our usual rhythm. We pull out an overtime win during our matinee game against Vancouver and board the plane for a short ride to Seattle. Before we take off, one of the team's PR assistants gets up to make an announcement.
“Alright, guys, let this serve as your reminder that our annual charity gala is coming up next month.
Black tie attire required, plus ones encouraged.
It should be on your calendars already, but please put some thought into this.
The Children's Hospital counts on us each year. Mac, anything you want to add?”
I look at Ethan questioningly as Johnny MacKenzie steps toward the front of the plane.
“Johnny's kind of our point guy for charity work. Well, honestly, I think it's mostly Hailey who does the work, but he makes sure we're all on board.”
“Alright, everyone. You heard what Emily said – black tie, so get out the credit cards for the wives and girlfriends – they need to look sharp.
We're keeping drinking to a minimum until the auction is over – make sure your plus ones know that. And Ethan, I want to be clear – black tie does not mean your tie is black. You need a tuxedo, Cap.”
Next to me, Tremblay blushes brighter than I've seen so far. “I'm sure I can find something.”
From the back of the plane, Alexei speaks up. “Will it be tuxedo made of sweats?”
Sutter runs with the chirp. “Nah, it'll be the suit my dad wore to chaperone my prom!”
The plane fills with laughter as we begin to taxi. Johnny pauses on his way back to his seat.
“Seriously, Cap. I need you looking sharp for the kids, okay? And if you need a plus one, let me know – I'm sure Hailey can turn up a friend for you.”
Still red, Ethan thanks him and assures him it will be fine.
“So, uh, got something of a reputation, huh?”
“Look, I am an athlete, not a model. I dress just fine.”
“Cap, I don't know who told you that, but I can tell you they are wrong. Or lying.”
It seems like he wants to be mad at me, but instead, he chuckles a bit. Still, he seems defensive.
“My game day suit is Hugo Boss!”
It's hard to believe what I'm hearing.
“Ethan, how much did you make last year?”
“Why, you need a loan?” He rolls his eyes at me.
“Something like...$10 million?” I know he's one of the best-paid defensemen in the league; he's gotta at least be close to double digits.
“Ten point five with a firm no-move clause, thank you very much.” He's usually such a humble guy – it's nice to see the flare of pride in his eyes at this.
“And you have...one game day suit?”
He cringes, caught out.
“Dude. We don’t even have to wear suits anymore. You have more leeway than any hockey player in the history of the game and you are wearing…a black suit.”
“Tell you what. I'll let you take me suit shopping if you'll let me take you to look at some real apartments.”
“The hotel is fine!”
“I hardly think I need to take fashion advice from someone who falls asleep staring at a microwave oven. Hey guys, did you know Carter's still living out of a hotel room?” He has a gleeful look of mischief on his face, clearly happy to have shifted the attention off of himself.
“You spend too much time in hotels already, Jamie! You need a place you can really relax.” Lindy, not usually one to join in on chirps, sounds dumbfounded.
He's got a point.
“You talk to Ethan, Jamie. He knows every building downtown – he'll help you find a place, yes?” Alexei seems genuinely concerned about my living conditions. Then again, having seen his place, living in a hotel must seem about half a step up from living in my locker stall.
My eyes go to my seatmate. “Tell you what, if Ethan lets me help him pick out a few new outfits, I'll let him show me some apartments. Deal?”
The boys howl at this. With their eyes on us, he hardly has a choice. “Deal.”