Page 46 of Icing the Play

“I was thinking about Eli and Casey.” I huffed a sigh. This problem between us better not make it to the field.

“Yeah, sure.” He focused on me. “It’s a free world and I can’t stop you all from going.”

What the hell did that mean? “So you have a problem with it.” I worried my lower lip. Was he going to outcast me from the queer guys on the team?

He blew out a sharp breath. “Look, I don’t have a problem with it. I’m sorry. I’m still a little sore over things.” He slapped at my arm. “But who am I to stop true love?” The edge of his lips tugged up.

True love?Now he was being dramatic. “Okay, so I can ask them, and you won’t be upset about it?” I locked my gaze on him. Did I have to okay everything I did with him now? This sucked.

“Yeah, ask them. We’ll see what they say.” He slapped my ass. “I promise I won’t be mad. You guys have fun out there.” He strode away to Casey, who was still working on squats.

“Fuck.” I planted my hands on my hips, my gaze darting across the floor. I wasn’t sure I could believe JJ wouldn’t be mad. And I didn’t want to cause a rift on the team.

A big, warm hand landed on my arm. “You okay? What happened?” Eli asked in a soft voice.

I faced him. “I think you’re right. JJ is pissed that I’m dating Myles. He doesn’t want to admit it outright, though.”

“He’ll get over it. JJ can be…well, JJ.” Eli gave me a warm grin. “I know in his heart he wants what’s best for you.”

I scoffed an exhale. “Yeah, it’ll take time.” It had only been what, a week since our talk? “Hey, do you want to hit the gay bar on Mill Avenue with some of the hockey players on Saturday after our win?”

“Hockey players?” Eli hooked a brow. “They’re a little odd, aren’t they?” He snickered. “I don’t think I want to go to a gay bar with a bunch of toothless guys.”

“Oh, stop it. They have teeth. At least the guys we’d be there with will have a full set.” I chuckled. Shit, would Myles lose his teeth and not get them replaced? He was a forward after all. “A few NHL players might go too.” That would pique his interest.

“Yeah? Okay, then I’ll go.” He smirked at me. “What if we lose?”

With a shrug, I said, “I don’t know, then I guess we go home and cry in our beer.” I nudged his shoulder. “We won’t lose this weekend. You know that.”

“Yeah, I know.” With a soft snort, he nodded.

“Great, I’ll ask Casey later.” I scanned the weight room again. Casey was still working out with JJ. I’d catch him in the locker room, maybe.

Later that day,I was in between classes and strolled across a walkway between the manicured lawn in front of Old Main. The building looked like something you’d see back east, with itsreddish brick, high dormers and arched windows. It was still pretty hot during the day and sweat beaded on my brow. I expected it to be hot before I came down here, but not this fucking hot.

As I swiped sweat from my face, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my athletic shorts. I stopped to fish it out.

A guy on a scooter whirred by me, the wind blowing my hair. “Sorry, man.” He waved at me.

“Yeah.” Where the hell were the campus police? This path was for walking only. The dude had been pretty bold. I looked at my phone. “Shit.” It was my father. I answered the call. “Hey, Dad.” I ambled to the stairs of the building and sat on the relatively cool cement.

“Hi, Cooper. You’re not in class, are you?” He chuckled.

“Nope.” I peeked at the blazing sun. Not a cloud in the sky. It had been like this for days.

“Good. I have some news. I thought it was time for you to get an agent.” He breathed into the phone.

“What? I thought you didn’t think it was a good idea until the spring?” I lifted my brows. He didn’t like the idea of some agent talking me into endorsements while I was in college. He wanted me focused on my game and not on building a social media following.

“I didn’t, but an old friend from my time with The Bears mentioned things were changing. You should probably have someone you’re comfortable with well before the spring Combine.”

“Yeah?” Shit, wasn’t Myles talking to an agent already? But hockey was different. It was…weird.

“Yes, and I’ve got someone in mind,” he said. “I’ve already spoken to him, and he’s interested in you.”

“Dad…” He always did things like this. It was time he realized I wasn’t a kid who needed handholding.

“I know, but I have connections.” His smile carried through the phone.

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