Out on the Ice (Out in College 5)

I squinted. “Of what?”

“You know Schultz is always looking for someone to blame. If you’re team captain, you took his job, and somehow he’ll spin it to make it sound like you took his shot at the big time too.”

“That’s ridiculous. If he wants to be captain, he can have it.”

Troy tugged my practice jersey hard enough to throw me off balance. I righted myself and took a warning swing at him. He dodged me expertly and skated a few feet away, then returned and smacked my stick obnoxiously before getting in my face. See what I mean? Goalies were nuts.

“Don’t be an idiot. If being captain gets you noticed, take advantage of it.”

I glanced over at a group of guys doing a passing drill and gave a quick sign to let them know I was on my way over. “Coach said something about being co-captains or—”

“Only one guy wears a C on his jersey, Fischer. You know that,” Troy huffed, getting in my face. “Schultz doesn’t want to be your assistant and if you’re his, you look like a fuckin’ pansy.”

He skated toward the net before I could retaliate. I would have loved to check him against the boards, but I didn’t want to draw attention. And maybe he was right. If I wanted a future in this sport after college, I had to take advantage of every opportunity. Even the ones I didn’t necessarily want.

By the time I left the rink and headed home to shower and change for work, I’d filed my conversation with Troy in the “things to worry about later” box in my brain. I had bigger thoughts percolating.

Like Sky.

I got dressed, brushed my teeth twice, and used extra deodorant while I talked myself into canceling tonight. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted him. I just didn’t know what to expect, and I didn’t have a chance to talk to him privately at work. Sue pulled him in to help out on a new project, so there wasn’t an opportunity to ask questions.

I gazed over the top of the cubicles and spotted him in the conference room, looking sexy as fuck in a blue gingham oxford shirt. His hair fell into his eyes when he smiled at something Sue said. I watched them for a minute or two like a creepy voyeur, and when Sue stepped out of the room, I texted him.

Are we on tonight?

Sky pulled his cell from his pocket, then looked up and caught my eye.

Yes. What time?

7? Elliot has an away game so we can hang out at my place if you want.

What can I bring? Pizza? Salad?

I squinted at my screen and marched over to the conference room. “What’s with you and salad? Is that a baseball thing?”

Sky grinned and yeah…my pulse went into overdrive. “It’s an everybody thing. You probably don’t eat enough greens. The daily requirement is two servings of fruits and three veggies. Something tells me if I bring you salad, you’ll at least get one serving.”

“There was a piece of lettuce in my burger at lunch. I think I’m good. But hey, bring salad. Or just bring you.” I held eye contact longer than necessary. In fact, if Sue hadn’t nudged my arm on her way into the room, I might still be there. I tilted my chin and said a very dude-like “Later” before heading back to my cubicle.

The apartment was empty when I got home a few hours later. And clean. I stuffed the condom Elliot left on the island into my pocket and read the attached note, “Have fun. Be safe.” Ha. Ha.

Cool. Coast was clear. Now what? Should I turn on music, take another shower, spray on some cologne? Or maybe study a few Google entries on gay sex? No. I couldn’t do that. Sky knew I liked him…no, he knew I was attracted to him. Opening the door with a hard-on was overkill.

I jumped in the shower again, ’cause why not? Then I changed into a T-shirt and a pair of old jeans. I swiped my hand through my damp hair and paced barefoot to the living room window and back to the kitchen before grabbing a beer from the fridge. Geez, I had to fuckin’ relax. I was a head case. I popped the top open and took a healthy swig just as the doorbell rang.

Ding dong.

I set the bottle on the island and automatically hurried to open the door…with a mouthful of beer.

Sky smiled in greeting, then cocked his head.

“What’s in your mouth?” he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. I didn’t answer. Obviously. I stepped aside for him to enter, willing my throat muscles to relax so I could function and you know…maybe talk to him. Sky moved into my space and sniffed before pressing a light kiss on my cheek. “Beer. Can I have one, please?”