Page 70 of One More Time

I shifted to rest my chin on his chest so I could look him in the eyes. They had a haunted appearance that made me want to reach out for him, but I waited. “Why?”

Hunter looked away from my eyes to the roof. “He saw my father hit me.”

“Hunter…” I shifted so we were eye-to-eye.

“Zane had snuck into my bedroom one night, and my father happened to walk in when we were… fooling around. To say he was angry would be the understatement of the century. I kicked Zane out, but I didn’t realize he was watching through the window when my father hit me. When I got to practice the next day, Zane cornered me and said he’d report it. His dad was a judge, and he was determined to see my father punished. I panicked. I already knew I wasn’t going to play my best that day: my ribs were broken, and I hurt all over. I had nothing to lose. So, I punched him. If he challenged my father… he would have had so much more than missing a game to worry about.”

“You protected him the only way you knew how…” I murmured.

Finally, his gaze met mine again and he nodded. “I’ve tried so hard to stay away from you the last few months, Ty—and I failed. Sharing a room with you on the road… it was impossible to not have you. We kept saying each time was the last, but every time only meant that much more to me. Every time you walk away I fall into a pit of self-hatred. I can’t have him hurt you. Being with me is more than just being gay or being my teammate: you’ll have a target on your back. My father is ruthless. I was trying to protect you by staying away. But I am so fucking sorry.”

I rested my forehead against his, closing my eyes to take in his words. My brain processed his words, and I found myself torn. Self-preservation would have had me leaving him, but my traitorous heart wouldn’t let that happen.

“I spoke to Jarman—after he called me out on a few things. He got me thinking about finding a way out. So, I called Connor Bellamy today. I’m not a draft pick, but I explained my situation and he thinks I have potential. My stats are good, and if I can’t get into the NHL I said I’d settle for an AHL contract.”

I opened my mouth to protest because he deserved better but he silenced me with a finger to my lips. “I know what you’re going to say, but any contract I get promises my own income that doesn’t rely on him. Then, I’ll work my ass off to be noticed by the NHL.”

I let the big question leave my lips. “And us?”

Hunter brushed his knuckles against my cheekbone. “Well, it depends on where I end up and when you get called up—because you will. Then we decide if we can do long distance.

I wanted that, anything I could get. I’d take stolen moments over nothing at all. I nodded the action quicker than forming the words to say it.

“You have to decide if I’m worth the risk, Aus. My plan was to finish this year, complete my pre-law, and secretly sign a contract. I want to slowly and quietly extract myself from him, but it doesn’t stop the fact that being with me comes with its own set of risks…”

“Look…” I began.

Chapter thirty-eight

Hunter

In my experience, nothing good ever came from a conversation that started that way. I braced myself, waiting for the rejection.

“We both have baggage,” he began.

“I know…”

“I’m not ready to run up to the rooftops and announce that I’m gay—”

“Aussie,” I interrupted. My heart stuttered.

“Will you let me know if your father is being a wanker? If he lays a finger on you, will you let me take care of you?”

I huffed a laugh. “The one time you can use ‘cunt,’ and you choose the word ‘wanker.’”

He rolled his eyes. “Hunt…“ He warned.

“I promise I will stop at nothing to protect you,” I replied.

He frowned at that., “Did you not hear me? If this is going to work, I need you safe. I’ve lost a lot of people I care about, and I refuse to lose you. I cannot lose you, Boston.”

I bit my lip, unsure if I could promise not to sacrifice myself if it meant saving him.

“I will tell you—that’s as much as I can promise. Because if it comes down to it, I will always protect you.” Tyler didn’t seem to like the answer and I half expected him to pull away.

“So, are we doing this then? No more one last time? We’ll be exclusive but… secret?” My heart pounded my ribcage. I was suddenly aware of his weight on me, his scent washing over me.

“I’ve only been with you since that first night.”

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