Page 10 of Trade Deadline

After our shots, we squeeze through the throng to our usual section, which has been roped off. I take a seat beside Zach, his focus still on his phone, no doubt texting his buddy Carter in Denver, and look out at the faces in the crowd as Ethan slides in next to me.

“Who’s on the menu tonight, then, Blaine?” Mitch sits down opposite me, his cheeks already flushed from the one drink he’s had.

Lightweight.

Shaking my head, I reply, “No one. I’m on a bunny-free diet for a while.”

Mitch’s eyes bug out as he shrieks, “What? Are you insane?”

“Maybe you need to find yourself someone more permanent,” Elliot suggests with a shrug. “You know Mom would love someone else to fuss over at Christmas.”

I snap my head up at that comment. “And why would I subject myself to that particular torture?”

“Because it would be good for you to have some stability,” he replies. “And it’ll keep your ass off the blogs.”

“Literally.” Mitch cackles, snorting at his own joke.

They high-five across the table. Morons.

I flip them both the bird. “Fuck no. The day I get into another relationship is the day hell freezes over.”

Because I’m not going down that road of hurt again.

The whole reason I’m in this position now is because I took advantage of how bunnies threw themselves at me everywhere after every failed relationship attempt.

Maybe love just isn’t for me.

“Your brother has a point,” Ethan pipes up. “I know we said zero distractions, but it could do you some good to have someone steady. You just gotta find the right person, the one who can handle what being with you entails. But you won’t find them while you’re fucking your way through North America”.

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “I don’t want to be tied down. I’m happy as I am, I just need to stay away from hookups for a little while. Why would I want to deprive everyone of a night in the sack with me for eternity?”

I would never admit it out loud since I’d never hear the end of it, but they have a valid point. The only thing stopping me is the crippling fear that if I give in, and give relationships another chance, I’ll fall in love with someone, and they’ll never love me back.

I’ve been there before, got the heartbreak t-shirt, and swore I would never wear it again.

I pull my attention away from my teammates, who are busy making jokes at my expense, and glance out at the bustling bar. There’s so many people around, and the atmosphere feels awesome, everyone buzzing from our win.

And then it’s like the sea of bodies parts, and the universe decides to hit me with the biggest temptation. Stealing my breath away like a slap shot to the sternum.

“Fuck,” I groan, my head hitting the back of the booth.

When I need to be on my best behavior, life decides to throw weakness into my path.

Because the blond guy from the penalty box has just walked into Gino’s.

The guy I soaked with his own beer during warm-ups.

The guy with the bluest eyes I have ever seen.

He’s temptation personified.

He’s walking toward the bar, his head tipped back in laughter at something his friend said.

I hope he's only a friend.

They slip into a gap just in front of Dylan, and it’s like my body is drawn to his. I’m standing before I know it, ignoring Ethan’s questioning eyes as I slide past him.

“Blaine? What are you doing?” His voice is low and commanding behind me.

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