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“If he’s as big a turd to you off the ice as he is to us on it, we’d probably end up fighting with him,” Niko responds. “Best case that’s just a penalty, worst an ejection and a fine.”
“So, your hockey season comes before my sex life?” I narrow my eyes in Niko’s direction.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Cock blockers,” I mutter, though I’m not nearly as disappointed as I should be to learn my friendship with the local hockey gods won’t pave the way for me to sample more of them.
Chapter11 – Noah
The short drive to Tripp’s place didn’t take the edge off, so I’m still vibrating when I walk in the door. On some level that worries me—I always shrug off my anger before it festers, even on the ice—yet more than an hour later Tripp’s puck buck comments still aren’t sitting right.
“Puck bucks, seriously?” I ask as soon as we’re in the door.
Tripp tosses his keys on the entry table. “You’re right. It doesn’t have the same classy ring as bunny. What about puck buddies?”
That answer only frustrates me more. “Is it really that important to you to score with one of us?”
He gives me a bemused once-over as he takes a seat on the couch. “I don’t have a bingo card I’m trying to fill with sexual escapades if that’s what you’re asking. although, I probably should cause that’d be hot as fuck.”
Still rooted by the door, I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Wow… Okay."
“What’s wrong with sexual freedom?”
“Why the fixation on hockey players?”
“I’m not fixated on them, I just happen to like the idea of people having sex unapologetically. Like puck bunnies.”
I feel like I’m glaring, though I can’t seem to relax my face. “Don’t you do that already? Why would you need a fancy name and mission to chase after hockey players?”
“I wouldn’t.” He stares right back, head cocked to the side. “What’s this really about? I just told you I like the balls on those bunnies. I think gay men should have sex as unabashedly as they do. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” I drop my arms and stalk toward the couch, dropping heavily onto the opposite end.
“Then why are you upset?”
“I don’t know, maybe because you’re talking about picking up other players while you’re hooking up with me.” It’s not until the words are out of my mouth that I realize their implication. Oh shit, am I jealous?
A coy little smirk creeps across his face, like he’s privy to some secret I’m not. “I said gay men should take a page out of the puck bunny playbook. I didn’t suggest that I planned to pick up anyone. The other guys just assumed I meant me.”
My mouth drops open in protest though no words come out. I would’ve sworn he said he wanted to pick up visiting players, but my memory can’t definitively put those words in his mouth.
Tripp arches a knowing brow, and I hate that I notice how attractive that makes him look. “You thought I was trying to find a new hockey god while I’ve been hooking up with you?”
“I…well…” A second ago, I was convinced that was his intent, but as I struggle to justify my thoughts the playful glint in his eye fades, leaving him looking almost wounded.
“I’m a lot of things, Noah Tremblay, but I’m not that big of an asshole. I am a little confused though. You don’t want me chasing anyone else, but you also didn’t tell your friends you’re staying here. Does that mean you don’t want them to know what we’ve been doing the last few days?”
Until just now, my mother was the only person to reprimand me using my full name, and it has the same effect, making me feel both ashamed and defensive. “I don’t care if they know,” I tell the floor.
“Are you sure about that? A few days ago, you were convinced you were asexual, and before that you thought you were straight. Now you’re into men, something you didn’t admit when you had the chance.”
“It’s not okay to be confused?” I wring my hands together to keep them from shaking, whether from anger or insecurity, I’m not sure.
“I didn’t say that.” Tripp shakes his head while pursing his lips.
“I’m not afraid of being attracted to another man.” I’m afraid of being broken, of not understanding who I am, but not of how attracted I am to Tripp.
“I believe you. That doesn’t mean you’re ready for your friends to know, or that you even know what to tell them.”
