Page 30 of Bad Pucking Roommate

“Maybe not intentionally, but you did put him in an impossible situation by telling him what you needed when you knew he was in a position to offer it.”

“I only told him the truth when he started to freak out, thinking I was dying or something. And before you give me any more shit, we researched all sorts of different ways to get rid of superstitions before I confessed what mine is, so he didn’t blindly agree to help me. Stop treating him like he isn’t capable of making his own decisions.”

“When it comes to you, I’m not sure he is.”

“If you bring up that stupid idol shit, I’m going to lose my mind.” I groan, not even bothering to hide my eye roll.

It’s like they think the guy is still twelve. And after some of the things that have gone down between us… Yeah, he’s definitelynota kid.

“I’m just trying to consider what’s in the best interest of the team, and I’m not sure this is it.”

“Seriously? Have you seen the way we’ve been playing?” I may regret saying this, but I’ll take that risk if it gets Noah off my back. “Justus and I are so in sync it’s like we’re sharing the same mind. We’re dominating everyone we go up against, and while we always had chemistry on the ice, it’s more so now. Don’t you see that?”

Noah’s head bobs subtly up and down. “I do. That’s why I’m worried.”

I throw my arms up in exasperation. “Why would that worry you?”

“Because I’m not sure chemistry like that comes without feelings, and I don’t want to see either of you get hurt. Plus.” He shoots me a grim look. “It’s now a violation of team policy to fraternize with each other.”

That weird hollow sensation comes back, but I push it down deep and stand my ground. “Was it fraternization when you were helping me?”

A wrinkle appears between Noah’s brows. “You know it wasn’t.”

“Why would it be any different with Justus then?”

“I’m not Justus.”

My first instinct is to chastise him for assuming Justus would catch feelings, but something about Noah’s gaze traps the words in my throat. I feel my head tilt to the side as I study his expression, trying to solve the mystery look, and nearly cough on my own breath when I do.

He’s afraid for me. He thinksI’llcatch feelings.

Okay, sure. Yeah. I admit things with Justus have taken a different turn than I expected, but it still boils down to sex. Sex for the purposes of playing well. And incredible orgasms because, duh. It turns out those are more incredible when Justus participates than when he watches, and he gets to come too, so it makes sense we’d have fun with that. Butfeelings?

“Is this what happens when you fall for someone? You start thinking everyone is gonna follow suit?”

Noah shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “You took Justus under your wing from day one. You confided something to him that you rarely share with anyone. And regardless of the reason, you’re doing something incredibly intimate with him. So yeah, I’d say it’s possible you fall for him.”

“Possible, not probable. You’re worrying over nothing.” I shrug off Noah’s concern.

“A year ago, people would’ve said the same thing about me and Tripp. Now look at us,” he says, clearly referencing the fact they justmoved in together. “Are you sure it’s smart to keep rooming with Justus?”

“I’m sure I’m playing the best hockey of my life. That’s all that matters.” I spin toward the locker room before Noah can fuck with my head any further, but the damage is already done. He’s right about the way I’ve been acting towards Justus, and it makes me wonder if there’s still a solid line between what I’m doing for the game and what I’m doing for me.

Even worse, I’m starting to wonder if the things I’m doing in the name of my career still take precedence over what I’m doing for me.

Chapter twelve

Justus

“Why are you being so weird?” Luca asks as I make another trip to the bathroom to store the Dopp kit I meant to take but forgot on the previous two trips.

“It’s weird to unpack?”

“The way you’re doing it is.”

“How am I doing it?”

He arches a knowing brow from where he’s reclined against the headboard. “Like you’re moving in rather than staying here for two nights. Just pick a drawer and shove your shit in it. Done. No more of this back and forth trying to find the perfect spot for everything crap that you’ve never done before.”

---