Page 24 of Crossed Sticks

Shit—had I just given it all away? I hadn’t told Luca about my hockey connection because I wanted to break the news in person. It hadn’t felt like the right time in the coffee shop because I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to be friends. My heart rattled when I wondered if he might put two and two together and figure out I played hockey. I took a calming breath and decided he wouldn’t. Thankfully, there were lots of Nicks in the world, so I thumbed out another message.

HARPER: A guy from my old job. I’m staying with him and his husband.

LUCA: Got it. I hope you’re having fun. :)

HARPER: For sure. I’ll have more fun with you, though. ;)

LUCA: Hope so. Any old boyfriends there? ;)

HARPER: Wouldn’t you like to know? ;)

I meant it to be funny, but once the words were glowing on the screen, I wasn’t sure how he’d take them.

HARPER: No boyfriends, old or otherwise.

LUCA: Good. You won’t forget to call me then?

HARPER: Not a chance. Can’t wait.

I set the phone on the arm of my chair, and when I looked up, everyone had me in their crosshairs.

Tyler widened his eyes. “Do you have a boyfriend up there already?”

“Um… I… No.” My cheeks tingled. “Why would you think that?”

Kev twisted his lips into a smirk. “Could be that mile-wide grin you had on your face while you were texting.”

“It’s still there,” Ty said. “I’ve never seen you smile like that before.”

“And your cheeks are bright red,” Nick chimed in. “That’s a clue.”

“He…” I stammered, cheeks burning hotter. “I mean, I met someone, okay? He seems great, but things aren’t serious. I haven’t been up there long.”

“I knew it.” Kev grinned like a proud older brother. “You’re due, Harpy. Go for it.”

“It’s too soon.” I huffed. “I don’t know if…”

“Leave him alone, guys.” Jacob glanced around, giving everyone the same I-mean-it look I’d noticed him using on Nick. “Harper will tell us when there’s something we should know. All this hockey stuff is fascinating, but you haven’t talked aboutanything else tonight. How’s your apartment, Harper? Got it decorated yet?”

After giving me some advice about new furniture, Jacob went to the kitchen to do the dishes, and Ty went to help. Nick took Kev and me into the den, where we playedDiablo 4. We had fun, but I kept checking the time.

It was another two hours before Kev and Ty went home. After spending a few minutes talking to Nick and Jacob, I excused myself and headed for my room. I quickly changed into boxers and a T-shirt, then FaceTimed Luca.

He answered wearing a big smile. “I thought maybe they took you out or something.”

His hair was messy, and his shiny eyes and loopy grin made my heart flip-flop. He was hot as fire in a red tank top that showed off his broad shoulders and the tops of his incredible pecs. Why a man like him was even talking to me was a mystery, but I pushed that out of my mind. Hopefully, he wasn’t upset I’d made him wait for so long. “We didn’t go out, but everybody wanted to playDiablo 4. The guys didn’t leave until a few minutes ago.”

“I’m really happy to hear from you.”

He sat up, and I noticed he was in bed. “Were you asleep? I’m sorry it’s so late.”

“No.” He held up a book. “Just reading. I wasn’t in the mood forElden Ring,after all.”

“That’s okay. It’ll be more fun when we can play together.”

“Looks like you’re in bed, too.” He rubbed the hollow under his throat. “Sleepy?”

“Not at all. I’ve been looking forward to talking.”

---