Page 78 of Ricochet

It’s going to be anotherlong weekend between the four-hour bus ride to Vermont and the two games we’re playing there.

At least I have Stone’s company and a hotel room to look forward to.

But, if I’m being honest, I’m a little more nervous than usual. I haven’t been staying at Stone’s place the last few days because the fucking nightmares are coming back. The last thing I want is to have one of the really bad ones while I’m in bed with him and wake him up with my screaming or fighting invisible monsters.

I’ve woken Jesse up that way more times than I care to admit. He’s never pushed for an explanation, of course. And while my nightmares probably wouldn’t surprise Stone, it’d only give him more of an excuse to fuss over me.

That’s the only reason I’ve been asking him when I’ll get to watch him kill again. They go away for at least a little while after those nights.

When he asked if I was using him, it hurt. But I only have myself to blame because I understand why he would’ve thought that. Even though it’s not true in the slightest.

I was attracted to him before I knew the truth, even if I fought that attraction tooth and nail. The only thing that discovery did was let me finally accept that I wanted him. That he was the first person I ever trulywanted.

I’ve kept my word and haven’t brought it up again.

The bus ride to Vermont doesn’t turn out so bad. Stone and I sit in the back, sharing a pair of earbuds and taking turns listening to our playlists.

Resisting the urge to keep our hands off each other is another matter.

We haven’t come out to the rest of the team, mostly by my request. Stone has told me he’s okay with whatever I choose to do. It’s not because I’m worried about what their reactions would be. I guess I just don’t want to deal with it right now. I kind of like the secret.

Mostly, I don’t want Coach to assign us separate rooms during away games.

I might’ve been a little worried we haven’t been subtle enough, so I’m relieved when Coach calls both our names for the same room when we arrive at the hotel.

After we put our things in the room—and maybe take a few minutes to roll around and make out on the bed we’ll be sharing—we head back downstairs.

As I’m climbing the steps up into the bus so we can get to our pre-game practice, a hand grabs my ass. I snap my head around and glare down at Stone who’s giving me a not-so-innocent smile.

We’re walking down the aisle to return to our previous seats when he grabs my hoodie and pulls my back flush against his front.

His low, deep words rumble against the shell of my ear when he says, “That’s what happens when you put temptation in my face, baby. You’re lucky I didn’t bite it.”

My cock stirs in my jeans.

I can’t wait until we’re back in our room tonight.

We’re halfway through the secondperiod, and we’re up one to nothing. It hasn’t been an easy game. My legs are on fire from avoiding bodies and sticks.

Stone has added an extra challenge to our games. I’ve always used my advantage of speed on the ice to dodge and evade opposing players the best I can. I’m not always successful, but I’ve been lucky this season so far to not take any hard hits. However, now the need to continue doing so is more dire. At least it is if I want to keep Stone out of the sin bin.

I remember our first game when Stone was retaliating against every little hit on our guys and spent the majority of that game in the penalty box. I imagine a hit against me would result in more bloodshed.

The puck is in our defensive zone, and when one of their wingers takes a shot, I skate in front of it.

The hard, rubber puck hits me in the chest.

Judging by the way all the air comes rushing out of my lungs, it missed my guard.

As I’m bent over trying to catch my breath, I hear the ref’s whistle blow to stop the play.

Someone comes to a stop in front of me, and I’m immediately aware of Stone’s presence. His hand comes down on my shoulder. He’s saying something, but I can’t hear it past the blood roaring in my ears.

I don’t stay down long.

I know I can’t.

Straightening, I nearly lose my breath all over again at the look in Stone’s eyes.

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