Page 32 of Power Forward

I frown. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just so fucking tired,” he says around a yawn. “Kinda hoping Lindy will be starting in Denver, but also, I don’t because I like playing in Denver.”

“You like playing everywhere,” I laugh.

“True.” He grins, and then it slowly slips from his face. “I know I need the rest, but being on the ice keeps my brain calm, and it feels very—” He shakes his hand around his head. “—chaotic, at the moment.”

The elevator pings on my floor, and he follows me out. I have no idea if he’s on the same floor as me, but I’m not going to kick him out if he needs someone to talk to.

“Are you still feeling low about what we spoke about in Boston?” I ask.

“Yeah.” He stops in front of a door that isn’t mine and lowers his voice. “Do you think I should talk to Blaine?”

I think it over for a minute before I reply. Since Hayden’s and my relationship went up in flames over shit communication, I’ve always vowed that communication is a nonnegotiable. I had the same conversation with Zach when he and Carter were having problems at the beginning of their relationship. And obviously, Elliot’s relationship with his twin brother isn’t the same as mine and Hayden’s or Zach and Carter’s, but it still requires a level of communication surrounding emotions. And clearly, this change in their relationship since Blaine’s marriage is impacting Elliot on a much deeper level than he realizes.

“Yeah, I do. He can’t make something right if he doesn’t know about it. He’s still very much in the honeymoon phase. Not that I think he and Alex will ever be out of the honeymoon phase because that’s just who they are, but you know what I mean. Having a husband is new to him. He’s navigating a new path in his life, and maybe he’s oblivious to how this is affecting you.”

Elliot nods, a tired smile tipping his lips up. “Thanks, Jackson. You’re a really great friend.”

“Anytime.” I slap his shoulder, then point to the door he’s standing in front of. “This you?”

“Yeah. I think I’m gonna play one of my games to unwind, then try to get some sleep.”

“Sounds good. You know where I am if you need me.”

We say good night, and I head into my room. I pull my phone out of my pocket before the door’s even closed behind me. My face splits into a wide grin when I read Hayden’s text.

Hayden

You are fucking incredible, Jax.

You watched the game?

Hayden

Of course I did. Game-winning goal, baby! You never cease to amaze me.

I feel my face heat at his compliment. Dropping my duffel on the luggage rack and shrugging out of my jacket, it takes me twice as long to get undressed and get into bed because I don’t want to cut off this conversation with Hayden.

Big compliment coming from the iconic power forward.

Hayden

I was only good because of you.

You always made me want to be better.

I grin at my phone like a damn fool.

My instincts are telling me to respond with something flirty, but I haven’t decided what to do yet, and I don’t want to give him false hope. But if it happens naturally, there’s no harm in that, right?

I always wanted to impress you.

Hayden

Yeah?

Yeah. I remember the first time I met you, and I thought, fuck, this guy is so hot.

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