Page 4 of One More Time

I looked down and realized that I was still only in my undies.

“If you want me to have a genuine conversation with you, please wear more clothes. All of that—” He gestured to my body. “—is too distracting.”

I instinctively covered myself, with a chuckle. “Sorry, mate. Didn’t think much of it.” Who wears a shirt in Australia? It’s too hot.

“I wouldn’t either if I looked like that. Geez.” Cal, seeming to relax a little, went back to pouring his smoothie. I tried not to cringe at his less-than-expert smoothie pouring skills, the liquid dripping down the counter and the cabinet doors.

“More like growing up in hockey locker rooms on the coast of Australia.”

Cal moved to lean against the bench, but I stopped him, saving him from sitting in a puddle of goo. Shifting him to the side, I grabbed a cloth and wiped up the mess.

“Australian hockey player with abs of steel saved me from getting smoothie on my ass. God help me now.”

“I thought you had a boyfriend,” I teased, guiding him around the kitchen to continue wiping up.

“Oh, I do. But I am gay and have eyes and ears,” he suggested with a sing-song voice.

I couldn’t help but laugh, grateful that this guy was way nicer than the one from yesterday.

“That doesn’t bother you at all, does it?” It was more of a statement than a question, but I could hear the fear in his voice.

I turned my head from where I was clearing his dishes away. He was sucking on his metal straw, cheeks hollowing as he openly checked me out. “What, that you’re gay, or you find me attractive?”

“Both?” Cal smiled genuinely, his eyes landing on my face instead of my crotch.

“I’m flattered that you find me attractive. And no, I don’t care who you date.”

A soft, grateful smile appeared on his lips. As I finished cleaning up, I heard him retreat from the kitchen “I have practice, then I’ll be at my boyfriend’s. So, I’ll see you around.”

“Catch ya!” I yelled at his back, feeling a bit down as he left. The dorm’s air was now very quiet without his... well, him. I wondered if this would always be like this—me alone in an empty, quiet dorm.

Chapter three

Tyler

Mr. Boston Broody was on the team.

I stood in the doorway of the locker room, a dozen pairs of eyes on me like I was an animal in a zoo. And maybe I was. The moment I said, “G’day, mates,” the room erupted in laughter.

Except for one person... he stood in the corner, those golden eyes sweeping over my body, once again sizing me up. The act had the ability to make me feel small, but instead, I straightened.

“Okay, boys!” Coach’s voice thundered throughout the room, drawing everyone’s attention. ”This is Tyler Riley. He’s come from Australia as part of the international exchange program. Tyler here led his team to a bronze at the under eighteens’ world championship. So, I won’t be treating him any differently from the rest of you.”

Every head nodded in agreement, but their eyes remained fixed on me. I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to squirm.

I didn’t like being the center of attention. I didn’t do this sport for fame. Sure, I wanted my Mum to see me on the telly, but that was for her—not me. I tamped down that annoying little voice that made me question being here.

Coach showed me my locker where I dumped my bag and geared up for the ice. I needed to remember why I chose to do this. I’d been in Boston for a week and though it was my only time to sleep in before training started, I didn’t complain when Cal woke me up at the crack of dawn. He was mostly absent, only popping in to change so I decided not to make a fuss.

Instead, I took the opportunity to have a sunrise jog through campus. I chatted with Mum and Jamie every morning and they seemed okay. Oddly enough, I was torn on how to feel about that.

A gentle hand on my shoulder pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. “Hey, man. I’m Colton—team captain. Everyone calls me Cap or Colt. If you need anything, here’s my number. Don’t hesitate to touch base. Being a fresher is hard enough, much less being so far away from home. That is unless you don’t like home.” He chuckled in an attempt to break the tension.

I took the piece of paper from his hand and flashed a smile. “Thanks. I love home, but we don’t get a lot of chances like this. Hockey isn’t really our national sport.”

Colt grinned back at me. “That just means you’ll take this seriously. On this team, there is an expectation of your performance. This is my last year, and my last chance at the finals if I ever want the chance of getting drafted, I need everyone to be on top of their game.”

I nodded and began to strip down. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched, and I turned to see those amber eyes peering at me from beneath long, dark lashes. His gaze darted down as he focused on the lone tattoo on my left pec. I turned away, avoiding the scrutiny of his gaze. I swiftly changed, then turned to face Colton.

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