Page 83 of Full Body Hit: Part 2
“You wanna go somewhere?”
Chase’s head popped up. “Yeah? Sammy has been saying something about a trip, but…I kinda just wanna hang out with you,” he admitted. “I’ll make it up to him in summer—we’re going to a music festival together.”
Auston grinned, childishly pleased at winning over Sammy. “We can do Cancun.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve never been,” Chase said, eyes bright.
“Perfect, I’ll get everything arranged.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” Chase replied sweetly, kissing him softly on the lips.
Auston deepened the kiss, everything else falling away.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AUSTON
Auston had been to Cancun a few other times with teammates, but it seemed to glow brighter with Chase. Auston had chosen an adults-only resort, the plain building a massive horseshoe-shaped structure with a pool at the centre. Auston had chosen to rent one of the more exclusive suites at the upper levels and couldn’t get enough of the way Chase reacted to everything. He gasped at the enormous living space, gasped at the round bed that could fit the whole team, gasped at the shower with its multiple showerheads. He pointed at the jacuzzi, at the full fridge, at the complimentary food, at the stunning view of the beach.
“Oh my God,” Chase cried out, almost toppling over the railing, he ran into the balcony so quickly.
“Jesus Christ,” Auston cursed, rushing towards him, but Chase was laughing, gesturing to the expanse of white sand and blue ocean in front of them.
“Look at that! Oh my God,” he gushed.
Auston squeezed him. “You like it, then?”
Chase turned in his arms and slapped him on the chest. “Likeit? This is literally the most amazing place I’ve ever seen.”
Auston grinned. There would come a time, deep in Chase’s career, when he’d probably make enough money not to be awed by this kind of luxury anymore. Auston was lucky he was able to see this, though—this childish awe at the beauty surrounding them.
Auston didn’t know if he’d appreciate it that much if Chase weren’t there, but Chase’s attitude was infectious. They were booked for eight days—their last game had been a few days before break, so they’d flown out early to make the most of it. They spent the first two days lounging and eating—Chase wanted to try everything. There were seven restaurants in their resort alone, and they went to a different place every meal. In the beach bar, Chase ordered drinks every hour, frothy mango and avocado smoothies that had him humming in pleasure.
Auston knew Chase enjoyed playing hockey, but it was undeniable that a weight had lifted from him the moment they landed in Cancun. His face was perpetually split in a grin, taking everything with big, eager eyes. He seemed to enjoy having Auston close—a hand always on him, fingers laced together or sides pressed into each other. He glowed whenever Auston introduced him as his partner, when Auston lavished him with affection in public—an arm around him, a chaste kiss on the top of the head.
It made him wonder if keeping their relationship under wraps back home had affected Chase more than he let on. Auston knew him well enough now to know that Chase was hungry for validation, young enough to need it more than Auston did at that point in his life. Chase’s self-image was fragile, overly affected by the external opinions.
Maybe for him, something only truly existed if it could be acknowledged by others.
Auston knew there was a lot more to think about if they were to reveal their relationship. Them being teammates, Chase being a rookie, and Auston being so much older were factors to take into account. Auston didn’t want Chase’s reputation to be affected somehow. The NHL could say they accepted Omegas fully, but no one could ignore the discrimination baked into society when it came to Omegas’ sexual behaviour.
So Auston was fine waiting, but God if it wasn’t sweet to see how life could be without having to hide. How Chase bloomed, petals unfurling, face glowing in the sun.
Auston was aware that taking a holiday and not leaving the resort was kind of lame, but he didn’t give a shit. Their bodies needed a goddamn break, especially seeing that things would only get tougher as they got closer to the playoffs. There was no exploring or meeting new people or learning new things—they were there to relax and nothing else.
They didn’t even make it to the beach until the second full day, the first one spent hopping from one pool to another. Chase was so delighted by the lazy river that Auston had to go through it again and again, floating with Chase on inflatable doughnuts.
“Oh my God, look at this sand. Look.” Chase cupped his hands into the grains and lifted them, letting the sand trickle down. “Look at how fine it is.”
Auston chuckled. “Glad you like it, baby.”
They rented some loungers under a thatched structure that provided shade better than the parasols. Chase didn’t stay long, though, dragging Auston to the water.
“There’s fish!” he shouted, and Auston could see Chase curl and wiggle his toes under the water as thin silver fish poked at him curiously. “They’re not scared at all.”
“That’s because you’re the least scary person on Earth.”
Chase rolled his eyes. “I doubt they know that.”
