Page 107 of Breakaway Goals

“If I’d had to say goodbye, I wouldn’t have said goodbye.”

“But—”

But Morgan shook his head. He had to get through this. “Hockey was the most important thing, forever. My entire life. More important than my marriage. God help me, more important than my kid, for a long time. I’m trying to fix that now. But that time, with you, it made me want more than just hockey for the first time ever. I wanted to feel that way every single fucking day. I’d have done something crazy to keep it.”

He’d lain there, insane thoughts going through his head. Like demanding a trade to a California team. Like refusing, like a lovestruck fool, to play if he couldn’t play with Hayes.

“You wouldn’t have,” Hayes argued, because of course, even now, he was being contrary.

But Morgan wouldn’t take him any other way.

“I would have,” Morgan said. If he’d fallen in any deeper, there was no way he wouldn’t have.

Finally, Hayes moved his legs back. Morgan sat at the edge of the lounger. Maybe he’d screwed this up so many times. Maybe they’d gone past the point of no return. But he could at least be honest.

“I loved you, so I absolutely would have,” Morgan said quietly. “Never felt that way about anyone else. Not before. Not since.”

Hayes’ breath went out of him in a big whoosh. He leaned back on the lounger. Eyes so green, even in the blue light of the pool. “Loved?” he questioned quietly.

Digging his fingers into his thigh, Morgan knew he was doing the right thing, even though it felt like the scariest leap he’d ever taken. “Love,” he corrected. “I love you.”

“Oh.Oh.” Hayes actually sounded surprised. Shocked, in fact.

“What did you think? That I said all that stuff during sex because I . . .” Morgan didn’t know how to finish that sentence. Decided maybe it was better that he didn’t.

“I thought it was . . .I don’t know . . .sex. You talking with your dick.”

“Iwastalking with my dick. It’s always been a little obsessed with you. But it wasn’t just my dick,” Morgan admitted dryly.

Hayes sighed. “We’re both idiots. Clearly. Itwouldn’thave worked then. We can agree on that, I guess. But what about now? Do you even want—”

“Yes,” Morgan said quickly. Before Hayes could change his mind.

Hayes smiled and, for the first time in a long time, definitely for the first time since Morgan had come to Tampa, Hayes lookedhappy. Really fucking happy. He reached out and pokedMorgan in the thigh with a fingertip. “You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

“Whatever you’re going to suggest, I’m gonna want it.”

“You seriously mean that?” Hayes rolled his eyes, but he looked absolutely delighted. So surprised and unexpectedly thrilled, Morgan knew that he’d work, just as hard as he’d worked at hockey, to make sure Hayes looked like thisevery single fucking dayfor the rest of his life.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.”

“But . . .” Hayeslookedhappy, but he still seemed like he was hesitating.

Morgan wanted to lean in and kisshimthis time, but like before, he didn’t want to be the one pushing. As tough as it was to put everything in Hayes’ court, that was where the final decisions needed to stay.

“But what? I’m crazy about you, angel. I love you. I want everything you’ll give me,” he murmured. He could prime the pump though, so to speak. And felt no guilt about leaning in closer, tucking his hand under the burrito-ed blankets, and squeezing Hayes’ knee.

Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. He hadn’t known what that was, before, but he knew now.

“How would this evenwork? It wouldn’t have before.”

Morgan wasn’t sure he was following Hayes’ logic. “You’re playing, but I’m not. I’m . . .well, half my time is spent playing third wheel with my son and Jacob, a quarter pretending that I know what the fuck I’m talking about on TV, and the last quarter . . .” It was painful to admit this, too, but Hayeshadto know. “The last quarter, I’m alone. How do youthinkit would work?”

Hayes’ gaze was serious. “You know how much time I have to give to the team.”

“Angel, believe me. I know. I’ve spent the last two months watching you.”

“You were around, sure—” Hayes began to ramble, but this was just ridiculous. Morgan couldn’t let this stand.