Page 51 of Crossing Lines

Goodnight.

Shit,I had to be more careful tomorrow. I slipped farther into my room, using my phone’s flashlight to see, then peeked at Archer. He was sound asleep. Soon, I would be too. And dreaming of Ryan.

CHAPTER TWELVE

RYAN

The next morning, I showered and met with the other coaches for the breakfast buffet at the hotel restaurant. I’d been too tired to question Jonah’s text messages last night, but I’d probably know soon enough if Finley had seen Jonah leaving my room. There was no other explanation for why he’d want to know who was rooming next to me.

I joined everyone at the table in the diner-style restaurant, all dark wooden tables and chairs with brown vinyl cushions. The cream and darker tan décor was as bland as it was typical.

“Good morning, Gibson.” Coach Patterson said, extending me a warm grin.

“Good morning.” Glancing at all of them, I took a seat at the end of the table next to Finley.

He eyed me up and down, then scooped scrambled eggs onto his fork. “Late night?”

“Not too late.” I peered at him. Had he seen Jonah, or was he commenting on the fact that I was the last one down to breakfast?

A waitress stopped by the table, bringing coffee and orange juice.

“Thanks.” I added sugar and creamer to my coffee, thensipped it. “I’ll, uh, go and grab some food.” I strode to the buffet and scooped eggs, sausage, potatoes, and melon onto my plate.

“Hey, Coach.” Jonah stood next to me, smiling and looking around us. “How’d you sleep last night?” He picked up a plate.

“Good.” I pretended to be perusing the bread laid out in front of a toaster. “Hey, what’s the real reason you asked about Finley’s room last night?”

He shrugged. “I think he was going into his room when I left yours.” He glanced at the coach’s table. “I’m pretty sure he didn’t see me. All I saw of him was his foot and part of his leg.”

“Yeah, okay.” I huffed a sigh. “We have to be more careful than that.” I flicked a hard gaze at him. “You understand?” I’d tell him not to try coming to my room again tonight, but knowing him, it wouldn’t work. Plus, the truth was, Iwantedto see him.

“Yeah, okay. I’m sorry.” He added bacon and fruit to his plate.

“See you later.” I made to leave.

“Yeah, nice chatting with you, Coach,” he called out with a wave and grin.

I headed to the table and sank into my seat, setting my plate down. “So, what’s the plan for today?” I dug into my eggs and stuffed some into my mouth, then glanced at Finley.

He ate his food, paying me no mind. Maybe he hadn’t seen Jonah after all.

We’d wonthe second game against RMU and Jonah had spent another night in my room. The more time we spent together, the harder I was falling for him. It was taking all my strength not to spend more time with him than I should be. More time than a defensive coach should spend with a forward, which was very little. Instead, I focused on my players and hanging out with the other coaches. I was also hoping Finley would confide in mewhen he heard something from Shannon. Jonah deserved a chance in the NHL and the Maple Leafs were a stand-up organization.

After flying home on Sunday afternoon, I parked my car at my apartment and headed to the doors, dragging my rolling suitcase behind me.

Owen stepped out from behind a pylon in the parkade. “Ryan.”

My heart thudded against my breastbone, and I glanced around me. Shit, no one else was here. “Yeah? What are you doing here?” How the hell did he know where I lived? And more importantly, had he been waiting for me? Maybe he had a friend who lived in the building. Lots of students lived here too.

“Just visiting a friend.” He smirked at me. “Guess you live here too?” He took long strides toward me.

I slipped my keycard out of my wallet. I should be ready to bolt inside if I needed to. I surely didn’t trust him after the incident in the gay bar. “I…yeah.” Iwasholding a keycard to the building. I had to tell him I lived here.

He stopped in front of me and eyed me. “How’s your hockey boy, Coach?” He curled his lips into an evil grin and inched closer, our chests almost touching.

I took a step backward. “Who?” Even if he had been in the garage that night after my date with Jonah, I wouldn’t admit anything.

“You know, the boy who pushed me aside at the gay bar? The one you went home with?” His lip twitched into the ghost of a snarl.

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