Page 18 of Barn Burner (Love The Game #2)

Brayden

I thought I was riding a high following our third consecutive win when I walked into the pub tonight, but it pales in comparison to the high I’m feeling right now standing in front of Jesse.

I can’t believe he’s here.

Smoothing my hands over the soft plaid shirt covering his chest, I cradle his face and bring his lips back to mine.

I’ve always said whenever I got into a relationship that I would keep it private and hidden away from the vultures that lurk on the internet.

I have my public social media pages for sharing hockey content and sponsorship deals, but I never share anything personal on there.

The only times I do is when I’m celebrating one of Jude’s career achievements.

I like to keep the personal stuff for my private accounts that are strictly for my friends and family. That’s where I share the real side of me, and that’s the only place that I’ll share photos of me and Jesse.

But right now, in this darkened corner of the pub, I allow those worries to dissolve away. We’re shielded enough that even if someone tries to snap a photo of us, it wouldn’t come out clear.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I murmur against his mouth.

He rests his forehead against mine, and his dark hair falls forward. I reach up, pushing it from his face.

“I’m also loving your hair longer. It really gives off those mountain man vibes. Can you throw me over your shoulder and beat your fist against your chest as you carry me out?”

He laughs quietly. “How about I do that when we’re alone and it won’t get posted online.”

“Fine. Spoil my fun.” I sigh dramatically, but he knows I’m only messing around. I’m grateful he’s already so in tune with my need for privacy. It makes me fall for him a little harder. “Where are you staying tonight?”

“We were going to find a hotel and head back in the morning.”

“Uh, no, don’t do that. You’re staying at my house. All of you,” I say adamantly. I don’t want him to be sleeping in another bed apart from mine. “And I can drive you back to the ranch tomorrow.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering.” I steal another kiss. “Plus, I have a rest day tomorrow, so I wouldn’t have been doing much anyway except eating and sleeping.”

Jesse hums, all deep and gravelly, and I place my hand over his chest, loving the feel of the deep rumble beneath my palm.

I can’t stop touching him. I didn’t think seven weeks was that long in the grand scheme of things, but now he’s right here in front of me, it feels like a lifetime has passed since I’ve felt the beat of his heart beneath my palm.

I’ve missed him more than I ever knew was possible to miss another human being, and that realization has guilt clawing up my throat.

“Are your brothers mad I didn’t tell them?” I blurt nervously.

He shakes his head. “No. They were just as shocked as me, but they’re not mad.”

“And your parents?”

“Not them either. If anything, if you ever need a guard dog, I’ll send Mom your way because she was almost as furious as I was over some of the shit those assholes posted online.”

Shame courses through me at the mention of the articles that sent me running two months ago. I’ve done a good job at ignoring the media since I left the ranch. It was like Jesse’s speech while we watched the sunrise flicked a switch in me, giving me that relief I didn’t know I needed.

“You read them, huh?”

He nods, and his nostrils flare as he takes a deep inhale. “I did. Every single one of them, but you know what, Brayden?”

“What?”

“They don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about.

You are incredible. Not just because you’re talented, but because you continue to fight and push forward despite those low-lifes trying to pull you down.

” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip, and I lean into the warm touch of his palm when he cups my cheek, like a cat seeking the rays of sun through a window.

“I’m glad I found you that day, Brayden.

I’m glad I was able to give you the air you needed to help you breathe again, but there’s one thing you need to know: I will never allow you to feel like you’re suffocating ever again. ”

Sighing, I drop my head back until it hits the wall behind me. My lips wobble and twitch as I try to suppress the smile that’s threatening to split my face in two.

“Jesse Huxley, you’re one fucking romantic cowboy, you know that?”

With a deep growl, he dips his head and nips the delicate skin by my ear. “You might not be callin’ me romantic later when you’re cryin’ out my name because this cowboy has been dyin’ for a ride, and I’m not gonna go slow.”

I thrust my hips toward him, letting him feel the evidence of my arousal against his thigh. “Don’t tease me with a good time when we have to go back out there.”

Much to my disappointment, Jesse takes a step back and adjusts himself. I do the same, then motion toward the main part of the noisy pub. “Wanna come meet my teammates?”

Surprise flickers over his face. “You want to introduce me?”

“Yeah, I do. They know I’m dating you and that I spent the month at your ranch,” I say, leading him through the narrow space. We make our way over to Cooper and Rhett at the bar. I grin when they spot me, and both of them stand up for a one-armed hug and back slap.

“You sneaky fucker.” Cooper laughs, jabbing me in the ribs. “Can’t believe you lied to us.”

I grimace. “Technically, I didn’t lie; I just withheld information. It’s different.”

“Hey,” Jesse grunts, giving Cooper’s shoulder a slight shove. “Knock it off.”

“I’m only messin’ around,” Cooper replies, rolling his eyes before giving me a reassuring smile. “I think I would have done the same if I were in your position. NHL superstar.” He grins, bumping my fist.

“The game was awesome. You were awesome. That goal was pure magic,” Rhett chimes in. “If you ever want to give up hockey, we could get you into rodeo.”

“No,” Jesse answers immediately. “No rodeo.”

I snicker at the glare he aims his brother’s way.

“Thanks,” I say, feeling bashful at the praise.

I don’t know why I was expecting anything different from the Huxley clan.

They welcomed me with open arms when I was a stranger off the street, and we only got closer as time went on.

They’re good people, and I feel like a dick for doubting them.

“Did you wanna come meet some of my teammates? We usually have a round of darts to unwind.”

“Hell yeah!” Cooper beams, bouncing off the bar stool.

Jesse’s hand stays glued to my hip in a possessive hold as I lead them through the groups of patrons to where my teammates hang by the far wall that houses the dartboard.

I told them about Jesse and the ranch when they caught me grinning at my phone like a fool in the gym.

They are great guys, quick to support me on and off the ice whenever there’s a remark about my sexuality, and we always have each other’s backs.

“Nielson! We were about to send out an SOS!” my teammate William calls out.

Raising my hand, I give him the middle finger. “You know you would have just burst your ass through the door regardless of what I was doing. Do they not teach you about boundaries in Sweden?” I tease. He’s my closest friend on the team, and taking the piss out of each other is our love language.

“Yes, but why would we have boundaries when we are best friends,” he says dryly before showing off his missing tooth by grinning. I catch the moment his gaze lands on Jesse as one brow arches up in question. “Is this the cowboy?”

“Yeah, this is Jesse,” I answer. “And his brothers, Rhett and Cooper.”

“Hey, or should I say, yeehaw and all that.” Will mimics throwing a lasso in the air. “Woo!”

“You’re such a twat.” I laugh, rolling my eyes, then turn to Jesse. “This is William Cederqvist, but to us, he’s known as Cheese.”

“Cheese?” Jesse asks, brows pinching.

“Yeah, because Cederqvist sounds similar to cheddar, thus we ended up with cheese.”

My boyfriend blinks at me, a look of bewilderment on his face. He’s lost for words, and I can’t help but laugh.

“I don’t make the rules. We have weird nicknames for everyone.” I shrug.

“What’s yours?”

“Neil.”

Cooper and Rhett burst out laughing as Jesse remains as serious as ever and says, “I’m not calling you that.”

I snort and lean in, lowering my voice so only he can hear me. “That’s fine by me because I prefer it when you call me good boy.”

“Brayden,” he growls under his breath.

I flash him a wink, then turn around to face the others and clap my hands. “Let’s play some darts! Who’s ready for an ass kickin’?”

Two hours later, I park my car in front of the double garage beneath my house in Altadore.

Cooper lets out a low whistle, peering out the window at the two-storey home. “Damn, Brayden, this is fancy.”

“It’s kinda big for just me, but it works, and the neighbourhood is good,” I reply, suddenly feeling embarrassed about my million-dollar home.

It doesn’t have character like the main ranch house does.

There are no exposed beams or picturesque views out the window, but it’s been my safe place since I moved to Calgary.

Well, until I arrived at Huxley Creek Ranch, and that became my safe place.

We head inside, and I give them a brief tour of the house. Jesse’s hand finds the small of my back, and as much as I like his brothers, I can’t wait to finally be alone with him.

“There’s two spare bedrooms upstairs, so you can take your pick.

Both of which have ensuite bathrooms.” I open the fridge, then cringe when it’s pretty empty.

“Help yourself to whatever food you can find. I have pre-made meals delivered to me whenever I’m not on the road, and if I’m not eating them or at the rink, I’m ordering in. ”

Rhett waves off my offer. “Don’t worry about us. And I’m sure Cooper can survive until the morning.”

We laugh, then make our way into the living room. I drop down onto the couch, and when Jesse sits down next to me, I lean into him, resting my head against his shoulder.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask all three of them.

“Of course,” Jesse says, and the other two agree.

“Would you have treated me differently if I had told you?” I ask. It’s been playing on my mind all night.

Cooper winces, and Rhett gives a sympathetic smile.

“I don’t know if I would’ve treated you differently, but I would have been more careful with you.”

Cooper slaps his hands over his ears. “I do not want to hear about your sex life, thanks.”

I flash Cooper a wicked grin before tilting my head to look at Jesse. “In what way?”

He gives me a pointed look. “We broke several clauses in your contract. I wouldn’t have risked that if I had known.”

“Please.” I scoff. “I was a natural on Dakota.”

“Yes, you were, but what if you weren’t? What if you had hurt yourself? I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself, knowing I’d put your career in jeopardy.”

“You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if he got hurt now,” Rhett interjects. “You were ready to go onto the ice and beat that Vegas defenseman with his own stick earlier when he slammed Brayden into the boards.”

I beam up at Jesse. “You were ready to throw down for me, cowboy?”

His low growl vibrates through his chest, telling me all I need to know.

He meant what he said about protecting me. I have no doubt about it.

Standing up, I hold my hand out to Jesse but turn to address the other two.

“If you don’t mind, I have to catch up with some…

correspondences with your brother upstairs.

Help yourself to anything in the house, but don’t come anywhere near the room at the bottom of the hall.

” I lead Jesse toward the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, and if you hear the sound of banging or any other noises coming from my room, like me pleading to some god, just know I’m having a really great time, and the god is your brother. ”

Rhett groans, covering his face with his hands, as Cooper lets out a loud laugh. I practically drag Jesse up the stairs to my room.