Page 55 of Overtime Goal
Starting tonight, Riley would be with women in Italy. Natalie was only the tip of a very sexy female iceberg he’d be able to choose from. Why the hell shouldn’t I do the same? Not with women, obviously, since I could barely remember which partswere where, but Positano was crawling with gay men looking for a good time. Surely, a professional athlete with a decent body and all his original teeth could find company. I’d have a good time, enjoy some dirty, uncomplicated sex, and let Riley do his thing. And with any luck, I’d gain some much-needed perspective.
The waiter brought my new beer, and I had no sooner taken a long pull before fate intervened. A male voice called my name, and I pasted on a smile before turning my head.
Fuck fate. It was a couple looking for an autograph and a photo. The guy acted as though we were long-lost buddies, and the woman flirted like there was no tomorrow. Either she didn’t know I was gay or didn’t care, so I made nice and hustled them on their way as quickly as possible.
Despite everything, I didn’t want to get drunk, so I started taking baby sips of beer. Finding men shouldn’t be too hard. I’d download one of the hookup apps, or what people euphemistically call dating apps, as soon as I got home tonight.
I was watching a boat on the water when someone else said my name. Goddammit. I’d sign another autograph and get the hell out of there. I turned, but this was no overeager fan. “Quinn Weaver,” I said, sitting up straighter. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Quinn flashed his familiar, crooked smile and slid into the seat next to me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. His chestnut hair had lightened in the Italian sun, and his broad shoulders filled out a white T-shirt better than I remembered. Damn, he still looked good enough to fuck, and I turned my chair until we were facing.
“Business,” he said. “One of my new partners lives in Positano, and I’m here to lock things down.” He gave me a once-over that was as subtle as a loud scream. “I heard the Warriorswent out early. Thought you might be licking your wounds in Buffalo.”
I faked nonchalance. “Nah. Thought I’d find someplace nicer to lick my wounds.”
He laughed. “Wise man. How’s that friend of yours, the one who hooked up with my cousin in Seattle?”
“Riley?”
“Yeah, that’s it. Is he still causing trouble on and off the ice?”
“Something like that.” I took a sip of beer and tried to get my thoughts in order. “How’s retirement treating you?”
Quinn leaned back and gave me another slow, appreciative look. “Better than expected. I opened a couple of bars in Seattle, and I’m getting ready to open a club. That’s what my partner here specializes in. But I won’t lie. I miss the adrenaline of hockey.”
“I’m happy for you, Q.” I used my old nickname for him. “Glad life’s treating you right.”
He tilted his head. “How’s life treatingyouthese days?”
I hesitated too long before saying, “It’s complicated.”
“Yeah?” He raised an eyebrow. “Relationship complicated or career complicated?”
“Yes,” I said, laughing ruefully.
“Got it.”
We were quiet for a moment, surrounded by the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses. Quinn’s gaze traveled down my body another time, lingering long enough for me to know exactly what he was thinking.
“You look great,” he said. “I’ve watched a few games, but those damn pads cover up all the best parts.”
Fuck me. Quinn might be a total douche, but he seemed interested.
“You here alone?” I asked.
“Except for this pesky business partner I’m meeting in half an hour.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “Can’t cancel, unfortunately. It would’ve been nice to catch up properly.”
“Sounds like important business,” I said.
“How about tomorrow?” He stripped off my shirt with his eyes. “Are you free?”
I thought about Riley, but to hell with that. I had no idea when he’d even be home. For all I knew, he’d find another woman on his way back from Natalie’s hotel. Still, I may have been thinking about finding men, but this was Quinn. We’d dated for less than a year, but it had been long enough for him to break my heart. The word “fidelity” wasn’t even in his vocabulary. One thing was sure: I’d never get into a relationship with him again.
But he wasn’t talking about a relationship. The sex between us had always been hot as fire. His mind was even dirtier than mine, and he’d come up with ideas I’d never even thought about. If I were going to fuck men to put distance between Riley and me, someone had to be the first. Would Quinn be a good place to start?
This was something I’d have to think about carefully, but meeting up again would do no harm because I could still say no. “How about drinks?” I asked. “Want to meet here?”
“Perfect. Then we can go to my room so I can show you a few things.”
