Page 35 of One More Time

“Geez, you’re the only guy I know who gets fucked—by Hunter Graves no less—and remains in a pissy mood. I’ve had some amazing sex in my life, but Hunter definitely still tops the list.”

I couldn’t help it—I growled. My frustration bubbled over as I stormed past him and to the kitchen. Intent on my meal prep, I ignored him, but I couldn’t ignore the knowing smirk playing on his lips. I rolled my eyes and—barely—refrained from commenting, silently hoping he’d just drop it. My mind was already occupied by thoughts of a certain dark-haired individual. I certainly didn’t need any assistance from my friend.

Cal sidled up behind me, his arms enveloping my torso. He wasn’t one to shy away from touch, but I bristled under the embrace, a mix of annoyance and discomfort coursing through me. Despite my body’s reaction, Cal remained unfazed, squeezing me tighter with his chin casually resting on my shoulder.

“One day, my friend, you will be comfortable with who you are. And until that happens I’ll stick right by you.”

A weak, pathetic laugh left me, my non- chopping hand resting on his as I let my weight fall back into him.

“I guess you’ll be sticking around for a while then; being gay in the NHL isn’t exactly trending.”

Cal let out a weighted sigh, one that said that he knew I was right.

We were in an age where pride was both celebrated and shamed, where hockey pride jerseys were no longer worn in warm ups because it was “distracting.” I let out a sigh of my own and continued preparing the food for the week. Cal hugged me for a bit longer, knowing I needed the comfort, before he pulled away and began to work silently alongside me.

Nothing else needed to be said.

Chapter nineteen

Hunter

That morning’s bliss dissipated the moment Cal whisked Tyler away. I tried not to let my teeth grind as I watched the easy way they interacted; the public affection Cal was able to give Tyler. It was something my body ached to do myself.

He shut me down the moment we left my room. Tyler Riley knew how to give a cold shoulder that would make Frosty the Snowman jealous. It didn’t matter how much I tried to melt the ice by pressing my thigh into his. That was my little sign that we could be more. We could have each other and our careers too. God, I’d take any little morsel he gave me after last night.

My reflection was one I barely recognized. Wistfulness lingered in my eyes, masked by the façade I wore for lunch with my father. I knotted my tie like a soldier would his uniform: methodical, robotic, and tight enough to mimic the hold that man had over me.

“Why are you even going?” Kins asked from the bed, fidgeting with her hands. “Couldn’t you come up with some excuse?”

“You mean like I’ve done twice already? The last thing I need is him showing up unannounced. What if he saw me with Tyler? We both know I’m holding onto that team by a thread. The only thing keeping me on is that winning makes him look good. The second hockey makes me look anything other than perfect, he’ll pull me from the team faster than you can blink.”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like who you are around him. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve pulled away from me before. Last time it was weeks before we slept together again.”

I let out a heavy breath. “Kins, we agreed not to sleep together anymore, so why does that matter?”

Kins rose from the bed, lip trembling ever so slightly. “It’s not about the sex, Hunter. It never was, and you know that. It’s the fact that you hid whatever that man did to you.”

I pulled her into a hug, less for her comfort and more for my selfish attempt at her not seeing the lies written all over my face.

“He’s never done anything other than let me know what a disappointment I am to him, but he’s still my father. He’s the reason I’m here—he’s the only family I have left.”

Kinsley pulled away, eyes blazing. “He isn’t family, Hunt. Family doesn’t treat you like that. He’ll have you follow in his footsteps, and marry a trophy by graduation. I can see pieces of your beautiful soul crumbling away every time you see him and he doesn’t even care. I can't lose you like that, Hunt.”

I drew her close again, burying my face in her soft golden curls. “You will never lose me, Kins. It’ll always be you and me. But I only have this year left to enjoy myself, and I’m going to make the best of it. That means keeping Dad happy. Otherwise, it’s bye-bye hockey.” The words hung in the air, a heavy acknowledgment of the sacrifices I felt compelled to make for the sake of keeping the peace.

Kinsley nodded in my shoulder. “And Tyler?”

The simple sound of my name made me freeze. “What about him?”

“Where does he fit? Because I’ve never seen you as happy as you are with him. I didn’t even know you could light up like that. It feels like I’ve been looking at you through a filter my whole life. Then Tyler walks in and someone hits the enhance button. I want that for you, Hunt—all the time. not just in private.”

I want that for me too.

I shook off the thought, pressing a kiss to Kinsley’s head and grabbing my suit jacket.

“I am not the guy who gets his dream man, not when Tyler’s dream is the NHL. We both know it, and we’re both better off being each other’s dirty little secret.” Those words cut deep—I hated referring to Tyler as anything but what he was: perfection. In a different world, I’d be the first one to hold his hand on pride float while my lips claimed what was rightfully mine.

Kinsley’s glossy eyes told me she thought the same.

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