Page 109 of Melting the Ice

Dean felt himself flushing, warm blood rushing to his cheeks. “I just . . .it feels wrong to come to college, the first one in my family to make it here, andnotgraduate.”

“Well, the good news is if you continue to play like a demon, it won’t matter if you declare for the draft this year or next year,” Ian said.

“Guess I’ve been smiling on the sideline enough,” Dean said wryly.

“What?” Brody sounded confused.

Ian shrugged, the corner of his mouth tilting up. “It was kind of stupid advice, but what other kind of advice do you give a guy that’s got the whole package? Therewasa concern Dean was too focused, his whole self tied up in football, with nothing else tosupport him if anything went wrong. A first-round pick is a lot to spend on a guy.” Ian hesitated. “But I can see he’s doing better. Maybe your doing?”

Brody beamed. “Totally my doing.” He glanced over at Dean, like he wasn’t sure how much he was supposed to say. “We’ve been sorta helpin’ each other out.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” Dean teased.

Brody’s smile widening even further proved that his hunch had been correct. Brody felt okay revealing to Ian what was going on.

Of course, that would meanDeanwould have to knowwhat was going on. Lately, the last week or so, it felt like this thing going on between them had shifted, and Dean didn’t understand what new ground they’d landed on.

He only knew he was fucking thrilled—and a little terrified—about it.

They walked into Jimmy’s, grabbed the last booth in the back, and ordered.

“So, Brody, you play hockey.”

Brody nodded, taking a sip of his Coke. “This is still on the DL, but not sure for how much longer. I’d like to finish out my college career, but I’m considering going to med school instead of trying to make it in the NHL.”

“Smart, too.” Ian shot Dean an approving glance.

It didn’t matter if his future agent—and friend—approved of Brody. It wouldn’t change a fucking thing when it came to how Dean felt. But it felt good, anyway.

“He’s brilliant,” Dean said gruffly. “Got a lot of options.”

Brody smiled and glanced over at Dean, sitting next to him, his gaze as intimate as a touch. “I’m a lucky man.”

Well. There was no way they were keeping this under wraps, now. At least in front of Ian.

Dean cleared his throat—because suddenly it was clogged with emotion.

Nobody had ever really been proud of him like this before. They’d thought he was amazing on the football field, of course. They wanted him for what he could do. But they’d never just wanted him forhim.

But there was no question in Dean’s mind that Brody did.

The only question he still had was if Brody’s feelings had blossomed from friendship and sex to something else, the way Dean’s had.

Let’s fucking face it. You’re head over heels, crazy ass in love with this guy.

Dean choked on his Dr. Pepper. He wanted to tell that insane squirrel part of his brain that had just had thenerveto suggest it that it was wrong.

But he didn’t think it was.

After all, he’d never felt like this before. And he’d never been in love before.

So . . .logically . . .

“Are you okay?” Brody was briskly whacking him on his back. “You just went white and then red. Ian here thought he was going to have to break out his high school CPR skills.”

“No, no, I’m fine.”Mostly. My whole world just shifted.

He didn’t know if Brody felt the same. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe hewouldn’t.

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