We pass a few people in the foyer of the dorm, but thankfully the elevator is empty. As soon as the doors close, Beck pulls me in and kisses me slow and deep.
I moan, and my hands find his ass. Maybe tonight I’ll have the balls to bring up fucking him again.
The elevator stops, and we quickly part from each other, but my hall is clear. I step out, then slow when I realize he hasn’t followed me. He’s still inside, hand stopping the doors from closing.
“Are you coming?”
“Nope.”
My eyes almost jump out of my head. “Wait, what?”
He has the balls to smile at me. “Sorry, Topher. I don’t put out on first dates.”
“Are you shitting me right now?”
“Not one bit.”
My head drops back on a groan, and I cup my erection. “So what am I meant to do with this?”
“Not really my problem.”
I check back over my shoulder before stalking closer. “And does this sudden modesty extend to second dates?”
“I guess you’ll have to take me on one to find out.”
Even knowing I don’t get to touch him tonight, I can’t help smiling at that.
A second date.
With Beck.
Damn how things have changed.
I cup his strong jaw and steal one last kiss.
“Someone’s getting brave,” he says.
Or maybe he’s getting way too addictive.
“Careful. You’re giving off the impression you might like me a teeny tiny bit.”
I smile against his mouth. “Ridiculous.”
“Completely crazy.”
I kiss him again before pulling myself away. Before the elevator doors can close again, I throw back over my shoulder, “I think I like you a little bit more than that.”
20
Beck
It’s insane how hard it is to wipe the smile from my face. Even when I try, I fail. Something my sister definitely notices and gives me hell for when I get back to my dorm.
“I was right,” she sings, and I don’t even care.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a date where I could be me. The real me. Not the clown. Not the one who has to be fun all the time, who never takes anything seriously.
Telling Jacobs even half the shit I did is the first time I’ve talked about it to anyone other than my sister.
I expected him to judge me for complaining about being guaranteed a high-paying job once I graduate, but he didn’t. He seemed to understand, and I think it’s the same for him.
He’d love to chase a career in hockey if it was a guarantee, but it’s not. And while he’s talented and could make it, he’s not Foster Grant. Neither of us have agents fighting over us like he did. Hell, Grant turned down agents until he could find the perfect one. Jacobs and I would have to take whatever we could get.
But it’s not only playing I don’t want to say goodbye to. I don’t want to say goodbye to the game, and Jacobs gets that.
The next day at practice, it’s harder than ever to keep up this pretense of our rivalry. Turns out, I like nice Jacobs as much as angry Jacobs, and being nice takes a hell of a lot less energy than being a smart-ass.
Coach tells us to gather and take a knee on the ice.
I skate up next to Jacobs, and when we take our helmets off, I’m so fucking tempted to run my hand through his long, sweaty hair.
Yeah, don’t do that.
My hand reaches for it when he smiles at me, and I have to pull it back.
As much as I love his scowls, I can’t help loving the way his face lights up when he’s not mad.
And now I’m being ridiculous. It’s technically only been one date. I’m getting ahead of myself.
He took my sister finding out well, but I doubt it will be the same when the guys catch on. Surely, they’re not that dumb, are they? There has never been a time in the last three years where Jacobs and I haven’t been getting under each other’s skin.
Who knew it was foreplay?
“We’re in our second-last week,” Coach says, bringing me out of my endless thoughts about Jacobs.
And since when do we only have two weeks left?
I want to scream no and try to figure out a way to extend camp, but everyone has families to visit in the few remaining weeks before college and school starts up again.
“I just want to tell each and every one of you how proud we are of the talent this year,” Coach continues. “You’ve all shown what teamwork is truly like, and I’d be happy to have any of you on this team’s roster after you graduate high school. And to those already on the team …” He looks pointedly at me and Jacobs. “I’ve never seen you all gel together like you have been—some of you more than others—and I’m excited for the upcoming season.”