Page 120 of Breakaway Goals

“Is that what you thought?” Morgan heard the shock in his voice.

Hayes crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. “It wasn’t a wild assumption that you might’ve freaked out about it.”

Morgan could not believe this. Of course, they’d both screwed up the end of their fling. Mostly him, but not entirely him. Still, that hadn’t even really been a thought that crossed his mind.

“Did Iseemlike I freaked out about it?” Morgan pushed back.

“No . . .but then youdidghost me.”

“Not because I was worried about the closet,” Morgan spluttered.

“You were worried about hockey. About legacy. That could’ve been part of it.” Hayes tilted his head. “And the way people act behind closed doors, in the bedroom, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re willing to be upfront about their desires in public.”

Morgan wondered if anyone had ever been shitty to Hayes like that. Happy enough to fuck him in private, but just bros in public. If that was true, he was going to kick that person’s ass.

“What I did on the ice stands on its own,” Morgan said firmly. “If they want to think less of me because who I want, who I love, then that’s their own problem.”

Hayes’ face softened. He was almost smiling again.

“And,” Morgan continued, “my son is gay. I’ve never been anything less than fully accepting of Finn.”

“Finn isn’t you, though,” Hayes pointed out.

“I do get why you might’ve thought that,” Morgan said, wondering when he would ever stop kicking himself for justleavinginstead of being honest. But honesty had felt so impossible six years ago. “But no.No. That wasn’t part of it. I knew I only had a few years left, if I was lucky, and you threw me for a major loop. I said it before, and it was true. I’d have done something insane. That was the issue, not that you were a guy.”

“So what you’re saying is that if I did this . . .” Hayes reached out and slowly took Morgan’s hand, squeezing it. “It’d be okay?”

“Anytime you want to touch me, I’m not ever going to argue,” Morgan scoffed. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’myours, angel.”

“You can’t say shit like that.” Hayes flushed.

“Why not?”

Hayes shot him a knowing look. “You know why.”

“I’m just being honest.” Morgan lifted their hands and pressed a kiss to Hayes’ knuckles. “You ready for dessert?”

“Dessert?” Hayes perked up, then schooled his expression into something more serious. “I shouldn’t, though, it’s not on the meal plan . . .”

“Don’t worry about that. I ordered something special, in advance.”

Hayes looked floored, again. “You did?” he asked incredulously.

“Angel, I keep telling you—you can’t be surprised when I spoil you. Youdeservespoiling.”

From the way Hayes’ mouth tilted up in a warm smile, Morgan hoped that he was starting to believe it.

The waiter brought the dessert, a dark chocolate mousse, fruit scattered across its glossy surface, and two spoons.

Morgan had patted himself on the back for thinking in advance of a dessert that Hayes could enjoy without guilt. What he hadn’t anticipated was how painful it was going to be watching Hayes lick chocolate mousse off a spoon, knowing that when he dropped Hayes off at his house, he was only allowing himself one goodbye kiss.

“You alright?” Hayes asked in a teasing voice as Morgan settled the check.

The brat knew exactly what he’d been doing to Morgan, and he wasenjoyingit.

Morgan huffed out a breath, reminding himself that, if he did thingsright, if he was good and thoughtful, he would get to have sex with Hayes Montgomery for the rest of his life.

When he thought about it like that, it was easy enough to swallow hard, put his lust away, and lead Hayes away from their table, their hands intertwined together.