Page 67 of Icing the Play

The next day,I’d sat with Eli on the flight into San Antonio and the bus ride into San Marcos. I had a feeling JJ was avoiding me, but we were supposed to room together tonight. Coach was mixing things up. After stepping off the bus and grabbing our bags, the team filtered into a nondescript hotel of four stories and painted in beige and white. Modern dark woods furnishedthe lobby, and an interesting textured blue wall sat behind the check-in desk.

JJ glanced at me and looked away, frowning.

“This will be awkward as fuck.” I gave Eli a pointed look. JJ had been all professional at practice and our other games. It was like he didn’t want to be friends anymore.

“He’s still butthurt about Myles. He’ll get over it,” Eli said.

The team manager met Eli, and she handed out room cards to each of us.

“Maybe you should have a heart-to-heart with him.” Eli shrugged a shoulder. “Can’t hurt, you know?”

“Yeah.” I buried my teeth in my lower lip. I was not looking forward to this. But if JJ doesn’t want to spend much time in the room with me, I could have privacy for my conversation with Myles. “Let’s head to our rooms.” We were on the same floor, at least.

We piled into the elevator with other teammates.

JJ strode in last, holding the elevator door open for himself. He glanced at me, wrinkled his nose and dropped his gaze to the floor.

All the guys laughed and joked on the way to their rooms. When the door opened to the fourth floor, only me, Eli, and JJ remained. Maybe I could ask Eli to hang out in my room for a little?

“See you both later for the team dinner.” Eli saluted each of us and left.

“After you.” I held my arm out to JJ. Was he going to be a dick?

“Thanks.” Keeping his head down, he took long strides to the door, unlocked it and stepped inside. “Do you care which bed you sleep in?” He threw his duffel on the farthest bed.

“Uh, no.” Not now I don’t. Twisting my lips, I dropped my bag on the other bed, my pulse quickening. I should just come out with it. This shit between us would be terrible for the game. “JJ.” Twisting around, I faced him.

Huffing a sigh, he dropped onto the edge of his bed and combed his fingers through his brown, wavy hair. “You want to talk about Myles?” His gaze crept to mine.

“Yeah. Don’t you think we should?” I sat on my bed, mirroring him. “I love him, JJ.” Woah, where had that come from? With a grimace, I breathed in deeply.

Raising his brows, his jaw dropped. “You do?” He eyed me. “Does he love you back?”

“I-I don’t know. I haven’t told him yet.” I pursed my lips.Might be a good idea, Coop.

“You’re telling me, and you haven’t told him yet? Does anyone else know?” He stared at me.

“Eli knows. I told him at the hockey game last night.” My chest squeezed. I hadn’t even offered JJ a ticket, but then I knew he wouldn’t have taken it. “Listen…” I planted my elbows on my thighs. “I don’t fall in love. I’ve never fallen in love before.”

He sucked in a breath, his gaze searching the floor. “Okay. Why are you telling me this?” Grabbing the edge of the bed, he clenched his jaw.

“You still have feelings for him.” Fuck, how could it be? It had been almost two months since they’d been dating. I narrowed my gaze. “JJ, talk to me.”

“I don’t know. I liked him a lot.” He blew out a breath. “Fuck, I’m being a baby.” His gaze snapped to mine. “It’s not like I haven’t been with other guys since then.” He tensed the edge of his mouth. “And I wasn’tin lovewith Myles.” Peering at me, he said, “Maybe I’m just upset that I lost him to you.”

“Oh.” I straightened my spine. What the fuck did that mean? “Why is that so bad?”

“It’s not bad. You’re a decent guy. I just…don’t enjoy losing.” He smirked, his gaze growing soft. “Especially to a tight end.”

“We’re on the same team, JJ.” I returned his smirk. So, it was his pride that was hurt. “If it makes you feel any better, freeing him was a good thing. We’re great together and?—”

“And you fell in love for the first time.” He sighed. “I’m surehe loves you back. I’ve seen how he looks at you.” A warm smile spread over his lips. “I’m happy for you, man.” Hopping off the bed, he patted my shoulder. “Now, I’m going to go grab some food. Want to go with me?”

“Uh no, I’m going to um, nap.” Or not. Maybe Myles was in a suitable spot for our sex call.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MYLES

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