Page 47 of Breakaway Goals
He could’ve told Zach all this, but what would be the point? It would just worry Zach, who was supposed to be on vacation in Cabo, ordering pina coladas and not angsting about what Hayes was up to. And it would just worryhimself, who had two games in four days, almost definitely both against Canada, who’d assembled one of the best lineups of hockey talent in the world for this tournament.
If the US had any chance of beating them, not just once, but twice, Hayes was going to have to be dialed in. Theyallwere.
That meant he couldn’t rock the boat right now. Just keep going along with what was happening and enjoy it while it was.
He lasted only halfway through an episode ofLove is Blindbefore he gave in and grabbed his phone again.
Sure enough, buried under about a hundred texts in the US team’s group chat, were two from Morgan to just him.
Hey,the first one read,you around?
Turned out that Morgan was a “u up?” kind of guy. Hayes wasn’t all that surprised.
Then a few minutes later, a second one came in.Went to dinner with the guys but I’ll be back about eight, if you want to hang out.
Turned out he wasalsothe “hang out” guy.
It was fifteen minutes after eight, and he was just debating what to say. It wasn’t a question of whether he was going to ask Morgan to come over—more likehowhe should ask him to come over. But before he could, Morgan sent a third text.
Is it embarrassing to text you a third time? Probably. But I’m doing it anyway.
Hayes fucking melted.
Yeah, a little,he texted back, not thinking anymore. Couldn’t think anymore.But yeah, come over.
It was only two minutes—maybe even less—after he’d sent the text before there was a knock on the door.
When Hayes opened it, Morgan looked almost sheepish.
“Sorry if I was harassing you,” Morgan said, following Hayes awkwardly into the room. Hayes sat on the edge of his bed. Morgan didn’t join him though. Just stood in the middle of the room, looking five seconds away from wringing his hands.
“You weren’t. I was asleep and then I was talking to Zach,” Hayes said. He nearly added,why don’t you get over here? We both want you to.But he didn’t, because it looked like Morgan wanted to say something, and maybe he should let him get it out.
“I . . .we said we were doing this,” Morgan said, even though they most definitely had. Hayes nodded. “And I just . . .”
Hayes didn’t know where the fuck Morgan was going with this. But he was clearly into it and was here because he wanted to hook up. Because he wanted Hayes as badly as Hayes wanted him.
Why were they talking when they could be kissing and touching and so much more?
“It’s okay,” Hayes said and patted the spot next to him on the bed. “Come here.”
Morgan rolled his eyes but he came, no hesitation whatsoever, settling next to Hayes, thighs and shoulders brushing.
Reaching up, Hayes cupped his cheek. Felt that scruff against his hand and felt his whole body roll over and straight-up fuckingyowlat how much he wanted.
“I want you,” Hayes said bluntly. “You’re not bothering me if you want me back.”
This time Hayes didn’t know who kissed who first. It felt like they met in the middle, two people becoming one so quickly he immediately lost where he left off and Morgan began.
Morgan moaned into his mouth, fingertips digging into his shoulders, and it was so easy—way too fucking easy—to just let the drugging perfection of it carry him away.
Chapter 7
Thegamewasjustas brutal as Morgan expected it would be.
It was fast and hard and physical, two fights breaking out in the first period, including one where one of the Canadian assholes thought it was okay to push way too far into the crease and try to fuck up Braun.
Morgan could do it, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let some other guy try it. Not on his watch.
