Page 49 of Trade Deadline

Whereas me? I’ll happily pick fights any day.

Zach settles back into his seat, his thumbs busying away on his Switch. Slipping my phone out of my pants pocket, I read through the messages I exchanged with Alex yesterday.

To say I was shocked to hear from him after I dropped him home would be an understatement. I thought I might’ve scared him off with my parting demand, but no, it seems that he loved it.

I waited and watched in my car until I saw he was safely inside before I left. I made it as far as the parking lot, and my dick was in my hand before the engine was off. It only took a few strokes for me to spill my load, the evidence hitting the steering wheel and the window. I found some wet wipes in the glove box, and I cleaned up before anyone could see.

Bravo, hindsight of past-Blaine. Ten out of ten.

“How did your date with Alex go?” Ethan asks, sitting down in the row across from me.

“Really good.” I nod.

When he doesn't respond, I turn to look at him. He’s wearing a smug grin, and I know exactly what’s coming.

I roll my eyes. “What? Spit it out!”

“I told you.”

“Yeah, you did. Well done! The great Yoda Ethan comes through with solid advice. Gee, you should become a captain or something,” I say sarcastically.

He punches my shoulder. “Fuck off with that Yoda crap.”

“Hey, don’t call Yoda crap,” Zach pipes up, scowling at Ethan.

“Whatever.” Ethan waves him off.

Zach harrumphs.

“Blaine, I’m proud of you. It’s like you’ve finally leveled up to maturity. I never thought the day would come.”

I narrow my eyes at Ethan, trying to pretend that he’s starting to piss me off, but inside I’m fucking buzzing.

Praise from Ethan is like catnip. We all fucking want it, and when we get it, we’re high as fuck.

“Thanks, man.”

“Are you going to see him again when you get back?”

The plane doors close once the final person steps on board, and the flight attendant begins to run through the safety procedure.

I lower my voice so I don’t interrupt. “Yeah, I hope so. I’m just worried I’m going to fuck up somehow.” I sigh, smoothing my hand over my bouncing knee. “I’m not good at this shit.”

I want to be better.

I will be better.

Ethan nods understandingly. “What about something casual? Go for a walk on the pier before it gets too cold, get a hot dog, sit in the park, cook dinner for him. Just get to know each other, spend time together. It doesn’t have to be big, grand gestures every time, because that gets old fast. Dating is about getting to know one another, developing that connection.”

I make a mental note of everything he’s just listed. That’s doable. I can do that. It wouldn’t be flashing my bank balance in his face, and I can still make it feel special.

“Are you sure you’re not Yoda, oh wise one?”

Ethan chuckles. “Secret, shall I tell you? Grand Master of Hockey Captain Order am I.” He winks before opening his book, letting me know that he’s done with this conversation.

* * *

The whistle blowsfor a TV timeout and the ice crew appears with shovels to clear the ice. I squirt some water into my mouth, and, at the sound of cheers and claps, I glance over my shoulder toward Elliot as music filters through the sound system.

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