Page 71 of Crossing Lines

“Well, I wanted to see if I could get a rise out of him.” He brushed his fingers up and down the stem of his glass. “It worked. He was trying like hell to hide it, but I could see steam rising inside him.”

“Let’s not mess with him when he gets back here. The poor guy’s still got a little pudding in the head.” I tipped my brows at him. Plus, I wanted Jonah to like Laurent. If Jonah ended up in Toronto, we might all be seeing more of each other this summer.

“Yeah, all right.” With a sigh, he shifted his shoulders. “Where are we going after this anyway?”

My gaze snapped to his. “Uh, home?” He wasn’t still thinking about hitting a bar after this, was he?

“Home? Come on, I thought you were going to show me around?” He shifted in his seat. “When did you get so boring?”

“Boring?” Jonah appeared at his chair and dropped into it. “Idon’t find Ryan boring at all.” He twined his fingers with mine over the table.

Rolling his eyes, Laurent said, “Uh-huh. Anyway.” He drank down his margarita. “You up for a stroll around the quaint little town here?” He sent a sly grin to Jonah.

“Sure.” Jonah sucked his tea down.

“Jonah, don’t you think you should be getting back home so you can rest?” I could always take him home and then walk around downtown Tempe with Laurent for a bit. I tightened my jaw. But I’d be sure to avoid the gay bar.

Jonah tutted. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

I wasn’t going to win this argument. “Fine, we’ll walk around a little bit, then everyone goes home.” I focused on Jonah. He might be out sick for his classes tomorrow, but I still had to work. I flagged down the waiter to get our check.

As we walkedaround the little shops in Old Town Scottsdale and peeked in all the windows, Jonah and Laurent bantered easily with each other. It seemed they could get along after all. After about an hour, we found my car and I drove everyone home, dropping off Jonah first. He’d packed his duffel in my trunk before we left, just in case things went late.

I pulled my car in front of his house and stopped. Jonah’s SUV was parked in the driveway, along with a Ford pickup truck. “Looks like the squad is home.”

“Yeah, probably studying and preparing for their big week.” Jonah hung his head. “I could maybe stay the night?—”

“Jonah, I have to get up early and go over our strategy for the next set of games. It’d do you good to sleep in your own bed.” God, I sounded like his father. Archer walked by the glow of the front window and stopped, then peered out at us through the darkness.

“Archer’s waiting for you.” I patted his thigh. I was pretty sure the whole house had been talking about us all weekend.

With a glance at Laurent in the back seat, he said, “Yeah, you’re right.” He unhooked his seatbelt and leaned over, grabbing my chin, and turning my face to his, then planted a long, deep kiss on my lips. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, maybe when I go to see the team doc?” He slid his fingers off my chin.

“Yeah, sure.” I nodded. “Can I help you with your bag?” Movement caught my eye from the house.

Archer, lit up from the streetlight on the corner, strolled out over the main walk from the front door, then stopped at the car window, bending over and planting his hands on his knees.

Jonah climbed out.

“Everything okay? You need a hand?” Archer peeked in the back seat, then furrowed his brows.

“Naw, I’m fine.” Leaning in through the open door, he said, “It was nice to meet you, Laurent. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.” He passed his open hand through to the back.

“Likewise.” Laurent slapped his hand.

Archer gave him a sideways look, then followed Jonah to the trunk.

After I pushed the button to pop the trunk, Jonah pulled his duffel out and slammed it shut, then waved at me and walked off with Archer.

“Can I sit in the front seat now?” With a chuckle, Laurent stepped out of the car and dropped into the passenger seat. Patting his thighs, he said, “Okay, gay bar?” He hooked a brow.

“Stop it.” With a choked chuckle, I turned around in the street and headed for the larger boulevard. “Maybe we can hang out tomorrow after work?” I drove up the road, tall palms and squat cactus passing us by on the sides of the roads, thinking on the evening. “You and Jonah seemed to get along pretty well while we were window shopping.” Warmth crept though my chest.

“Yeah, he’s a smart kid. I really hope he makes it to the NHL.” He glanced at me, then propped his elbow on the windowsill and held onto the grab handle.

“For the last time, he’s not a kid. He’s only five years younger than me.” I scoffed a chuckle. He had to keep going there.

“Yeah, well, he’s in a very different part of his life, so he seems more like a kid to me.” He sucked in a breath. “What are you going to do if he gets a contract? Then you’ll be living here, and he’ll be back home in Toronto.” He twisted his head to study me.

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