Page 6 of Man Advantage

“Seriously.” He turned his head a little and pointed at a faint silvery scar just above the edge of his stubble. “Had to get stitches, too. It fucking sucked.”

“Yeah? How much of the game did you miss?”

“Period and a half.”

I snorted. “That sounds like you. Still bleeding and barely stitched together, but back out on the ice anyway.”

Trev shrugged. “It isn’t like I could feel it. It was still numb.”

“Still. Dude.” I chafed my arms. “So what about the one in front? Puck?”

“No, that was a stick. But!” He put up a finger. “I drew a four-minute double minor for it, and we were already in overtime inan elimination game for the conference final. So… it was worth it!”

“Wow. Cost you a tooth but won the conference championship? Nice.”

“I couldn’t complain.” He scowled. “Well, except we got swept in the Cup finals, but hey, at least we got the conference rings.”

“Could’ve been worse, right?”

“Definitely. But anyway, enough about my dental history.” He gestured at the house. “Come on in. I’ll show you around.”

CHAPTER 3

TREV

Ever since myex-husband had dropped his ultimatum, all I’d been able to think about was figuring out my childcare situation. When Cam had agreed to come and help me out, I’d been overwhelmed with gratitude, not to mention anxiety that Bryan would find some way to declare Cam unfit for the job.

Now Cam was here, and I could barely think.

Our mutual friends had mentioned him from time to time over the years. They’d talked about going out with him and his now-ex-boyfriend. They’d mentioned in passing that they’d all met up for a baseball or football game. There’d been holiday parties and birthday get-togethers, not to mention our class reunion, which I’d been unable to attend. There’d been photos and the odd video including Cam.

But somehow, now that I was in his presence, I was absolutely blown away.

When precisely had he had this incredible glow-up, and how had I not noticed?

One thing was for sure—I noticed it now.

He’d always been cute when we were teenagers, both before and after he’d transitioned. In college, same thing. I just wasn’t ready for how breathtakingly well he wore thirty.

As I showed him around the house, I kept tripping over my own words and my own feet. Every time I glanced at him, I was startled all over again because my cute friend had grown up to be so fucking sexy.

He’d been working as a personal trainer, and he’d obviously practiced what he preached. The gangly kid from a decade ago was long gone, replaced by this man who wouldn’t have been out of place in a row of marble statues. He reminded me a little of my team’s skating coach—though he was only about five-foot-nine and fairly compact, he wasbuilt. Powerful shoulders. Defined arms. Flat abs.

The thin white fabric of Cam’s T-shirt hinted at tattoos underneath, and my fingers itched with the need to trace those inked lines and curves. And while piercings had never really done much for me, I was intrigued by the telltale shape of barbells through each nipple.

Get a grip, Trevor. Jesus Christ.

Why was I getting so stupid over him? I mean, yes, he was way hotter than I’d anticipated. Mostly because I hadn’t thought about whether I’d be attracted to him or not. I hadn’t been attracted to anyone—hadn’twantedto be attracted to anyone—since before the divorce.

Was that what this was all about? My libido had suddenly awakened, and now I was hyperaware of how long it had been since I’d had sex? So I got utterly tongue-tied over my old friend?

Yeah, maybe.

But also…

I mean…

I was around ripped, hot men every day of my life. I saw them naked so often it didn’t register.

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