Page 56 of Put a Rink on It

“Fuck.”

“Who’s that?” The question is a pant. Seems one touch of Nero’s lips to mine is enough to make me wanton.

He rests his forehead on mine. “I haven’t a clue. Think they’ll go away?”

“Not likely.” To prove my point, the doorbell sounds again. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“Nope.”

“Do you have a camera?”

“It’s on the list.”

“Who knows where you live?”

“Mrs. Robles, the team, Ember…” He trails off. “We’ll pick this back up later, k?” Nero draws away from our hug, adjusting himself as he walks backward toward the door. “And for sure, you’re sleeping in my bed tonight.” A smirk finds his lips, and he disappears through the door, a wink the last thing I see.

I flop down on his bed, my limbs starfishing, our discussion clanging around my brain.

Did we agree to give something between us a shot? Or am I getting ahead of myself? He proposed two weeks together in the bedroom. I’m the one putting parameters on it outside of a besties with benefits situation.

But still. Are we crazy?

Yes. He more so than me, but the fact I’m entertaining it, wondering what it would be like, wanting it, evidences I am, too.

I’ll admit there’s always been something between Nero and me beyond the connection we shared in the bedroom. I never wanted to consider it because I didn’t think it would ever work out. I didn’t think he’d want a relationship beyond friendship with me.

Now, there’s more at stake. We’re older and wiser. There’s no end date if we don’t want it. Which should be scary as hell, but as I let the ideas burrow deeper, it’s not.

He’s the same guy from college in an older, no doubt, sexier body. At his core, I know him. He’s one of the best guys I know, and I’d be lucky to call him mine, in any capacity it worked out. Hell, I’ve been fortunate to call him my friend for the last thirteen years.

I thought it was enough, but after everything the last several weeks, maybe it’s not.

Perhaps there’s more to us.

Perhaps we should discover what.

CHAPTER 18

nero

After the interruption by a random neighbor, it killed the mood. Much as I tried to circle back to it, Marina clammed up, not wanting to talk about it, and then fell asleep early. I’m not taking it personally. She’s always in bed early, and after the whirlwind of the past few days, the girl’s exhausted. I can’t blame her. Hell, I fell asleep shortly after her, the emotional toll of driving to and from Vermont and dealing with telling her mom and sister weighing heavily on top of everything in my professional life.

This morning, I leave her sleeping in my bed, debating for a full ten minutes if kissing her cheek is a good idea or not. In the end, I decide against it, trying not to bring yesterday’s baggage into today.

Having Marina in my personal space might be a mistake worse than telling my new teammates I have a wife. She’s scrambling my brain, my mouth saying things it has no right to utter. If I push her too hard into something she doesn’t want, I’ll lose her, which isn’t something I’m prepared to live with. After hockey, her friendship is the best thing in my life. I won’t do anything to jeopardize it.

But man, do I want the things I suggested.

After making a mug of coffee and a protein shake, I’m off to the practice rink, parking in my usual spot in the lot. I grab my backpack from the back seat and head inside.

We’re starting the day by watching tape. We play Montreal this weekend, and they’re on top of their game lately, winning each of their last ten games. Montreal also dominated the last matchup for our team, so we’re out for revenge. The rest of the guys, more so than me. I’m here to support any retaliation as needed.

Because of the early time, there are only two other guys in the locker room, but I can’t remember their names. They’re both newer to the league, and I can’t be certain who they played for last year. I wave hello and drop my stuff in my locker.

“How are you settling into Hartford?” the one sitting in front of the Doherty locker asks.

“Can’t complain. It’s not as cold here as in Minnesota, and New England seems like a nice place to live.”