Page 34 of Treat

Jude glanced up, surprised to find the locker room empty. “Where’d everyone go?”

“Already out there. I came to find out what was taking you so long. So? You gonna tell me, or am I gonna have to beat it out of you on the ice?”

Jude frowned. “I thought today was no contact.”

“Figure of speech. Come on, spill.”

With a sigh, Jude leaned back against the locker. “I almost kissed Brynn.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” Tommy leaned in. “When, where, how? Gimme all the dish.”

Despite his inner turmoil, Jude smiled. It was hard not to around Tommy. “Yesterday, walking the dog. We were standing close, and it felt like we had, I don’t know…a moment.”

Tommy nodded. “Nice. And?”

“And then the dog yanked the leash, which I was holding, and I hit her in the ear, and, well, the moment was over.”

Tommy stared. “The fuck?”

“I know.” Frustrated, Jude dragged his hand through his hair. “She was with me, until the ear thing.”

“Well, that’s something.” Thoughtful, Tommy pursed his lips. “Okay. Well, you need another moment.”

“Great. Any ideas how to make that happen?”

“You can’t force it,” Tommy decided. “It has to be organic.”

“How am I supposed to make an organic moment happen?”

Tommy scratched his head. “Yeah, that’s a puzzler. Maybe take the dog for another walk?”

“That’s all you’ve got? Take the dog for another walk?”

Tommy shrugged. “You got anything better?”

“No.” Disgusted, Jude picked up his helmet. “This is hopeless.”

“Nah, man. Not hopeless. Just…”

“Just what?” Jude asked when he trailed off.

“Problematic,” Tommy concluded.

“Thanks,” Jude said drily and slapped his helmet on his head. “That’s much better.”

Tommy grinned. “I like you like this.”

“What?” Jude groused and stood. “Pissed off? Horny? Confused?”

“Lovesick,” Tommy said, his grin widening when Jude scowled. “It looks good on you.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“I know,” Tommy said cheerfully, and rising to his feet, clapped Jude on the back. “Come on, let’s go play hockey.”

“I’m shooting at your dick,” Jude muttered as they headed out to the hall and made the turn for the tunnel that led to the ice.

Tommy just laughed. “Head’s up. Your girl’s watching.”

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