Page 10 of Crossing Lines

Straightening my spine, I said, “Yeah? From who?”

“My cousin plays in the junior leagues in Canada.” He wiggled his brows. “Turns out Coach Gibson was set to go to the NHL when he injured his knee. He’s a bit of a legend up there.”

“Seriously?” I closed my laptop, my pulse picking up speed. “Tell me more.” Because I had to know it all now. I was obsessed.

He brushed his finger along the edge of his laptop. “He had surgery and was supposed to be out for the season, but then he got into some accident and reinjured it. Couldn’t play ever again.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I said, “What sort of an accident?” God, how terrible to have your dream taken away like that.

“Don’t know. But I heard he was pretty fucked up after, like started partying a lot. He was found more than once passed out in his own puke.” He twisted his lips. “Doesn’t seem like that sort of guy now, though.”

I swallowed hard. What an idiot I’d been. I’d asked him out for a drink, and he was probably in recovery. No wonder he’d said no. Okay, that and maybe it wasn’t a good idea to hang out if it wasn’t a team event. I chewed my thumbnail. But at a team event? I could hang out with him, no questions asked. I glanced at Myles, peering at me. Except every one of these guys would fuck with me.

“What’s going on in your head?” He tapped his fingers on his laptop. “Youdohave a crush on him, don’t you?”

With a scoff, I said, “Oh, hell no.”

“Jonah? A crush?” Archer strolled out of the hallway, then dropped into a chair next to mine and planted his hand on my shoulder. “We must be talking about my new coach.” He gave me a wry smile.

“We are.” Myles curled the corner of his mouth.

“What’s up with that? I heard you have a thing for him?” Archer squeezed my shoulder, then released it. “Not that I blame you. Coach Hot Stuff is fucking gorgeous.”

Hanging my head, I huffed. “You know, I barely see youanymore since you’ve been with your boyfriend, Leo, and this is what you want to talk about?”

“Oh, come on. This is big, Jonah. I’ve never seen you look at a guy like you’ve been looking at Coach Gibson.” He leaned in close. “By the way, I’ve been catching him checking you out too.”

“No, he hasn’t.” With my cheeks heating and butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I hopped up from my chair. I couldn’t listen to this. They had no idea how much it fucked with me. “He’s probably just in awe of my skills on the ice.” I popped open the refrigerator and grabbed a Gatorade.

“He’s right, Jonah. I’ve noticed it too. It’s usually when you’re getting your ass handed to you by Coach Finley, though.” He snickered. “Probably feels sorry for you.”

“That’s enough,” I said, pointing my bottle at them, then twisted off the cap. “Let’s rewind this conversation a bit.” I sipped my drink.

“Okay, sure.” Archer sat back in his chair and straightened his legs out, then held the back of his head with his twined hands. “He’s probably not even queer?—”

“Is too. He’s gay.” Fuck me. With a scowl, I hung my head. Now I’d done it. Why could I never keep my mouth shut?

“And how do you know that?” Archer pitched forward, slapping his forearms on the table.

“Yeah? How?” Myles threw me a wide smirk.

“Guess your cousin didn’t know about it, huh?” I strolled around the kitchen island to stand next to Myles. Should I come out with it? Fuck, it was better than telling them I was stalking him on Instagram. “I had a brief conversation with him after practice today. I introduced myself and he walked me out of the building.” I lifted my chin while they both dropped their jaws. “He said he chose ASU because of us. He admires us for being out and owning it. Exact words.”

“Dayum. I’m even more impressed by him. I already thought he was an awesome coach, but now?” Shaking his head, Archer chuckled. “We have a lot to look up, huh, Myles?”

“That we do.” Myles nodded his head.

“So what are you going to do?” Archer tilted his head, studying me.

“Nothing, why?” I took a few gulps of my Gatorade. I knew exactly where he was going with this, but I’d play dumb.

“Well, you like him, don’t you?” Archer asked, furrowing his brows.

I was not going to admit to that aloud. “Doesn’t matter. He’s a coach and I’m a player. I’m sure it’s against some school policy.” An ache crept over my heart. No, I’d be forced to worship the guy from afar for the rest of my college hockey career, which would end in a few months with this season.

“You’d both be consenting adults. At leastyouwould be.” Myles sniggered.

“It’s not a good idea, so both of you, back off.” I swiped my laptop off the table and stepped toward the hallway leading to my bedroom. The only way to stop this conversation was to leave.

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