Page 34 of Breaking the Ice
“Oh. Um. Good.”
Zach had told him that he and Hayes were only friends, and even if they were more than friends, it wouldn’t matter, because it wasn’t like Gavin was going to cross the line.
But he didn’tlikeit.
He wasn’t stupid; that was an even bigger problem than Morgan Reynolds interfering with his hockey team.
“Yep,” Zach said, clearly unaware of how Gavin felt about this, which wasgood. A relief, honestly. “I’ll see you at . . .what, let’s say nine?”
“Yeah,” Gavin agreed.
“Night,” Zach said softly.
And even after he hung up, Gavin couldn’t fall asleep. It was worse, even. Because now he knew what Zach sounded like, when he saidgoodnight.Would it sound the same if Zach was tucked up next to him in this bed?
Gavin had shied away from even thethoughtof it with anybody else. He’d essentially ghosted his fucking therapist for only suggesting he go on a few dates. Nevermind sleeping next to someone again.
But he was thinking about it, anyway.
Zach was so big and broad. He’d dominate this queen bed, sleep way too close to Gavin, their sides pressed together, warm and inescapable.
“Fuck.” Gavin deposited the phone back on the charger and rolled over.
Talking to Zach shouldn’t feel that good. Maybe it was just that his mind was coming back to life, turning the hockey problems on his new team over and over in his head.
Or maybe it was just Zach.
“You’re not going to do anything,” Gavin said out loud. Then repeated it again, with more confidence. “Even if you want to. It’s not going to happen. Doesn’t mean you can’t be his friend. Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy him.”
Thatwas allowed.
But the line he was drawing—nothing physical, nothing that could even remotely be construed as dating or hooking up—felt solid in his mind.
He could keep it intact. He’d done a lot harder things in his life, after all.
Chapter 6
Zachwokeupatsix with the alarm, feeling refreshed even though he’d barely gotten five hours of sleep.
By the time he was out of the shower, he had a text back from Marcus, the equipment guy.All set, I’ll take care of it. Be ready by eight.
Zach sent Marcus a thumbs-up and then texted Hayes.Your bribery is coming in really handy.
Hayes replied:Do I wanna know?
I’m just saying if this guy pinged my queer radar at all, I’d say he has a massive boner for you.
So just a hockey boner, then. Disappointing.
Even if it was the regular kind of boner, you’d still be disappointed.
Dating just sucks :(
No, dating just sucks when you’re hung up on someone else. Ever think about getting over it?
Oh, why didn’t I think of that? I’ll get on it right away.
Fuck you.
