“The man never bought another drink as long as Avery was around.”
I peek over Alexei's shoulder and see Ethan approaching with Coach Ramsey.
“Carter, you got a second?”
I'm sure my eyes grow big as Coach looms over me. I scramble to my feet and follow him and Ethan to the tiny business center in the corner of the lobby.
“Well, Carter, there seems to have been a fuckup with the rooms. They say it's because of the Calgary Cattlemen's Association, but I'm convinced they're trying to make me regret ever leaving.”
Ethan clears his throat and I wonder how much of the past ten minutes he's spent listening to Coach's conspiracy theories.
“Anyway. We've done what we can with the support staff and I've called in a favor for myself with a friend. But we're still not quite there.”
My eyes bounce from Coach to Ethan, trying to catch on to what he's getting at.
“As you know, the veterans' contracts prohibit us from requiring or requesting them to share rooms. But you, uh, are still on an entry level contract.”
Oh. He just wants me to share a room.
“Sure Coach, you getting me a pullout with Matty or what?”
A look of relief lights up his face. If only it were always this easy to make him happy.
“Oh, no. Nothing as extreme as that. We were able to get Tremblay into a room with two queens. He said you two are usually up half the night watching video anyway. Is that, uh, going to be a problem?”
Based on what he saw during camp, I can understand Coach's hesitation. If only he knew.
“No, Coach. That's not an issue for me. Is it, uh, ok with his contract?” I school my face, trying for genuine concern rather than the elation I'm feeling.
“Oh. Sure – he can volunteer, we just can't ask. Thanks, boys, this is a real life saver.”
He walks off, heading toward the support staff. Within seconds, they're getting the keycards handed out. In the chaos, I risk a peek at Ethan.
“Well, roomie, should we get our keys?” I pinch my lips together, but I'm still not quite able to hide my smile.
One side of his mouth notches upward, his concern from the plane erased by something far more boyish and charming.
“I hope you don't snore, Rook.”
We don't havelong to settle into the room before the team dinner. When Ethan throws his duffel on the bed by the window, I toss mine on the other. Ever since he volunteered to room with me, I've been wondering what exactly he thinks that will mean. Will it be like every other platonic roommate I've had, or does he have something else in mind?
Luckily, Coach's plans for a team dinner are staving off that conversation for another few hours. We got Coach Ramsey from the Calgary system, and he's decided to use his knowledge of the city for a team bonding event.
“You gonna shower before we head out?” Ethan asks, pulling a nicer pair of clothes from his bag.
“Probably. I can be quick, though.”
“Dude. We're two gay hockey players – I have a feeling we both have experience getting in and out of the showers as quickly as possible.”
I snort at this and grab my toiletry bag. I turn the water almost as hot as it will go, feeling my shoulders relax. As I begin to wash the plane off of me, I can't help but wonder if Ethan will be getting up close and personal with my body later tonight. Who can blame me for washing a little extra thoroughly?
A few minutes later, I turn off the water and wrap a towel around my waist, heading out to the main room. Ethan looks up as the steam leaves the bathroom behind me. I suppose it would have been more polite to get dressed in the bathroom, but who are we kidding here? It's nothing he hasn't seen before.
Still, his eyes linger, following a drop of water as it leaves my hair and drips down over my pecs and abs, disappearing into the towel at my waist. His eyes leave a path of warmth as they trace down, down, down.
I clear my throat.
“My eyes are up here, Cap.”
