Page 56 of Perfect Storm
Aidan almost said that was impossible; there were too many factors to consider besides Levi’s sheer fucking will, but when he looked over, he could see the certainty shining in Levi’s eyes. He believed it, and that made Aidan want to believe it, too.
He felt Levi’s whole hand cup Aidan’s shoulder. It comforted, but it also sent a spike of longing through him.
“Okay,” Aidan said, and Levi smiled. It was that same camaraderie that he’d learned over the years you could share with a teammate, but it was more too. Because the smile wasn’t just a smile. It made Aidan’s insides heat up until they felt sizzling hot. Practically caramelized.
“I got you, baby,” Levi said under his breath, squeezing Aidan’s shoulder.
He had teammates, of course, that he could rely and depend on. That had always been true. But before Mo had left for Vegas,he’d been that extra-special support. The guy that Aidan could trust more than he could trust himself.
Aidan had told himself so many times that nobody could ever take that spot. And Levi wasn’t, not really. It was like he was in the middle of carving anewone, right next to Aidan. Not just next to him, but slightly angled to the front. Ready and prepared to take the hit before Aidan even registered it was coming.
Thatwas new.
Thebabywas also new.
Aidan wanted to crinkle his nose and demand that Levi never call him that again. But if he did, he’d probably call him something worse. Likesweetheartorhoneybunches.Or God,bro.
They finished their drinks in silence, watching as Cam cleaned everyone out at pool, and surprisingly, Ramsey owned Nate and Wes at darts.
“Hey, I said I was better at darts,” Ramsey said as Nate bitched about him cheating.
“Yeah, if you don’t like losing, don’t play him at cards,” Wes said seriously.
“Noted,” Nate said, shooting Ramsey an almost dirty look. Nate was a bad loser, sure—theyallwere—but Aidan still wasn’t sure what Nate’s big issue was with the new guy.
“Hey, it’s almost like I’m in trouble for being awesome,” Ramsey said, laughing. The almost dark look in his eyes that had been lingering before was gone. He slung an arm around Wes. “We better get you home, get you to bed. Big day tomorrow.”
“It is?” Wes questioned. “I thought we had the day off.”
“Yeah, exactly. You have the day off before the run-through for your first big start.”
Aidan wasn’t going to say it, but Trevor said it anyway. “Dude, it’s apreseasongame.”
Ramsey smacked him upside the head as Wes made a face. “Dude, I’m being a supportive friend, even though football sucks.”
Everyone looked at him at the same time. “What?” Ramsey asked, shrugging. “It does. It’s not hockey, that’s for damn sure.”
“Can I get pissed at himnow?” Nate muttered under his breath.
“No,” Aidan said firmly.
A harder hit or a landing that wasn’t quite as smooth as it should’ve been, and he’d be Ramsey. Haunting someone else’s house, just so he didn’t have to be alone and contemplate the pointlessness of his existence.
It would probably be Riley’s house, and as much as he loved his brother, that would’ve been hell on earth.
“I like you,” Ramsey said, moving his arm from Wes to Aidan. “You’re not what everyone says you are.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow. “What does everyone say I am?”
“Don’t listen to him, bro,” Trevor interrupted earnestly. “You’re the best.”
“No, no, I really want to hear this,” Aidan said. It couldn’t be any worse than the teasing comments Levi directed his way regularly. Even if those did sting less, delivered in that flirty voice like Levi always used. Knowing that, despite all his flaws, Levilikedhim. At least as a friend.
It suddenly occurred to Aidan that he wanted Levi to like himmorethan that, though.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit.
