Page 58 of Trade Deadline

I snort a laugh. “We’re not seven, El. I wanna impress him, not make him think I’m taking him on a school field trip.”

He flips me off. “I think the zoo is a fun date. You can bond over the cute animals, and the zoo in Lincoln Park is free,andthey have otters!” He gives me a pointed look. “Also, if he doesn’t like otters, then, I’m sorry to say, he isn’t cool in my book.”

I pat my brother on the shoulder. “Okay, I’ll consider it, ‘kay? I’ll look it up later.”

Elliot grins, satisfied with my answer. “Cool. I’d love for someone to take me to the zoo on a date, but then there’s the risk that I would get arrested for kidnapping an otter, and I don’t think my bathtub is big enough to accommodate an otter…”

As he rambles on to Kendrick about how many otters could fit in a bathtub, I take my phone out of my pocket and pull up the texts with Alex. He sent me one this morning on his way to work, wishing me a good flight. As the bus departs for the hotel, I type out:

Blaine

Hey, I’ll be at my hotel soon. Will you be free to talk in about an hour?

His reply doesn’t comeuntil we reach the hotel thirty minutes later.

Alex

Yeah, I’ll be around. I’ll still be working, but you can call.

I sigh.The hours he works is insane,

We get off the bus and collect our luggage, while the team's designated travel coordinator goes to check us in and collect our key cards. The lobby’s crowded while we wait, and my phone is burning a hole in my pocket.

“I’m gonna drop my bag and go for a walk,” Zach says.

I look up at my best friend, his hair a mess from where he fell asleep on the plane. We usually hang out before practice, but I have a feeling he’s just as eager to get to his phone as I am.

“That’s cool. I’m gonna FaceTime Alex for a bit, then take a shower before we have to go.”

Zach’s about to respond when Elliot comes rushing through the crowd. “Guess who is your next-door neighbor, broski!”

I groan. “Please don’t sing obnoxiously loud in the shower. You know hotel room walls are thin.”

Elliot gives me a devilish grin, tapping his chin with his finger like he’s deep in thought. “I wonder what the first song for shower-time karaoke should be?”

“Have fun with that one,” Zach laughs, slapping my shoulder.

Once we have our card keys in hand, we head up to our rooms for an hour.

Kicking off my shoes, I take off my dress pants and hang them in the closet before unbuttoning my shirt and hanging that too so it doesn’t crease. I climb onto the bed in just my black boxer briefs and socks, and press the camera button on Alex’s contact card.

My heart skips a beat when his face fills the screen. He’s in his state-of-the-art kitchen at the bakery, surrounded by stainless-steel equipment, and wearing his signature apron. In front of him is a row of at least two dozen cupcakes.

I'd like to see him in nothing but his apron.

I groan internally, pressing down my cock that also likes that thought.

“Hey!” He says. “How was your flight?”

“It was good, thanks. I’m so ready to go home, though.”

He frowns. “Are you worried about the game tomorrow?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I like playing against Seattle, they play a good game, I just…” I drift off, rubbing the back of my neck. I’m conscious it’s still early into our “relationship”, but my mom taught me to be honest and open. “I just wanna get back to Chicago so we can go on another date.”

Nothing could prepare me for the wide smile on his face.

“I’m looking forward to it, too.”

---