Page 95 of The Head Game

When everything felt like it was crumbling around him, August felt so steady. So unshakeable.

Nico had lived his whole life pursuing one fun thing after another. He’d never minded the way he’d bounced in and out of the Fisher Cats lineup for a while, loving that no two days were ever the same.

He’d loved that he had to learn how to play with new guys on the fly, slot himself into lineups and learn his new D-partners.

He’d loved being in new cities and meeting new people. He’d loved the travel and the parade of lovers in and out of his bed.

But right now, nothing felt better than to lie here with August’s arm pinning him to the bed.

Even if none of his memories added up, this felt right.

Nico shifted, sliding closer. August groaned, burying his face against Nico’s neck. “Why are you awake?”

“I dunno,” Nico admitted. “Maybe I took too long of a nap earlier.”

“Ugh.” August rolled onto his back.

Nico followed, shifting to lie on his left side. He settled a hand on August’s stomach. He’d taken his shirt off and his bare skin was warm and soft. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.” August let out a sleepy sigh. “We crashed pretty early anyway.”

“Yeah.” Nico laughed softly. “I don’t even remember the movie we were watching.”

“Me either.”

Nico trailed his fingers down August’s stomach, exploring the ridges of his abdominal muscles until he hit the waistband of his underwear. He worked his way up, smoothing over August’s pecs, then up to his shoulders.

“God, you have a great body.” Nico licked his lips. For the first time since his surgery, he felt a flicker of real desire go through him.

When he skimmed his fingertips across August’s collarbone, he shivered.

August drew in a breath, loud in the quiet room. “Thanks. I, uh, work out a lot. Unlike you, I skate a full sixty minutes a game.”

Nico laughed. “True. I guess you do have to work pretty hard to keep up with us, don’t you?”

August chuckled.

“You can use the fitness center, pool, and sauna here in the building while you’re staying here,” Nico offered. “I’ll make sure you get a key card and access.”

“Thanks, that would be nice.”

It felt pretty small to Nico, compared to what August was doing for him.

They were both silent a moment as Nico continued to explore, working his way down again, enjoying the way August’s muscles tensed and relaxed under his touch.

“Have I thanked you for being here?” Nico whispered, toying with the waistband of his boxer briefs.

“Maybe not in so many words but yes.” August’s voice seemed a little deeper now. Rougher.

“Would you let me thank you now? Like this?” Nico reached down and cupped August’s cock, soft under the stretchy fabric.

“Nico.” August gripped his wrist gently but he didn’t pull his hand away. “I … no.”

“Why not?”

“It wouldn’t be right. You just got out of the hospital and …”

“Hey, you’re not hard,” Nico said, rubbing his thumb across the head of his dick. “Why aren’t you hard?”

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