Page 70 of Trade Deadline

Little didI know that I’d end up sitting next to Blaine’s parents. They must’ve flown in from California this afternoon, and I’ve been on edge throughout the entire game that they’d pick up that we’re in Blaine’s seats. I recognized them instantly because Blaine looks just like his dad, whereas Elliot is more like his mom. Seeing his dad and getting a glimpse of what Blaine might look like in twenty years makes my stomach swoop.

He’ll be fucking handsome.

“Shove that in your five-hole!” His mom bellows as Blaine scores on New Jersey’s goalie.

Nate chuckles next to me, throwing more popcorn into his mouth. She takes her seat, clapping excitedly as Elliot removes his mask to take a drink.

“Well done, El!” She looks over to me and says proudly, “They’re my boys.”

I can’t help but smile. “I thought they might be.”

She giggles. “Was it obvious?”

I hold my forefinger and thumb up. “Only a little.”

But before she could say any more, the official blows his whistle, and her attention is back on the ice.

Thankfully, his parents were too engrossed in the fast-paced game to pay more attention to me, and they went absolutely wild when Thunder won in overtime six to five.

I think I may have lost some of my hearing from his mom’s screaming.

You could sense the frustration bubbling on the bench, especially when Blaine snapped his stick in half after the officials didn’t call an obvious hooking call and New Jersey ended up scoring on Elliot. Blaine’s face was so red with anger that I thought he was going to drop the gloves, but what surprised me most was seeing Ethan do it instead.

He’s never been a fighter in all the years I’ve been watching him play, but he was pissed tonight after Zach took a nasty hit from one of New Jersey’s wingers. I watched with worry when he was slow to pick himself up off the ice.

“You don’t have to stay if you need to get home,” I suggest to Nate while we wait by the locker room after the game.

It still feels so weird being able to come back here, and even weirder that I haven’t seen Blaine’s parents since they disappeared into the crowd.

“And miss out on hot hockey players in suits?” Nate tsks. “Don’t deprive me of that beautiful sight.”

I shake my head, chuckling.

He leans back, propping one foot on the wall behind him. His arms cross over his chest, and he keeps his eyes locked on the door to the locker room.

Thankfully, we’re not in a rush to get home this time. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and with Jacob still sick, I need a break. So the shop is closed tomorrow, and I’m taking a day off.

The last thing we need is for me to end up sick, too.

I’ll need to bring it up with Jacob when he’s better because working seven days a week while there’s only two of us isn’t manageable, debt be damned.

When I told Blaine I was taking the day off, he invited me to stay at his place tonight. If he’d asked me a week ago, I would’ve said no, but things have changed since he came into the shop the other day.

At least for me.

My worries over him only wanting me for the chase have evaporated.

The door to the locker room opens, and the first person to appear is Blaine, wearing a light gray suit and crisp white shirt.

Jeez, he’s so goddamn hot.

I salivate at the sight of him. Thick thighs look ready to burst from the seams of his pants, the fabric tightly cradling an impressive bulge between his legs. His jacket sleeves display strong forearms and wide biceps. The white button-down shirt gives a sneaky glimpse of the muscles that lay underneath as he moves. Within seconds, he's standing in front of me, his arms tightly wrapped around my waist, pulling me close to his chest, and kissing me like his life depends on it.

Where did that come from?

Not that I’m complaining.

Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into his embrace.

---