Page 69 of Breakaway Goals

Morgan stood in the doorway, a sheepish, ashamed look on his face, still in his suit, though he’d loosened his tie.

Hayes stared, shock tangling up his vocal cords.

“Hey,” Morgan said, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. “Can I . . .uh . . .”

Hayes wanted very badly to shut the door in his stupid fucking face, but he didn’t.

“Sure,” he said, whichreally? He couldn’t believe he’d just agreed and stepped back so that Morgan could walk right in.

Hayes didn’t know who he hated more right now: Morgan for daring to show his face tonight or himself, for justlettinghim.

“I wanted to talk to you,” Morgan said earnestly.

“Oh, now you want to talk?” Hayes retorted.

Morgan’s face fell. “Yeah. About that.”

“About that?” Hayes prompted.

“I shouldn’t have left like that. I . . .I sort of freaked out.”

“Really,” Hayes said, with faux-surprise.

“You’re pissed.” Morgan had the fucking nerve to sigh with resignation.

“Kinda think I’ve got the right here,” Hayes said bluntly. There was a part of him who really wanted to fold like a soft hand of cards. To tell Morgan he understood. That he’d been afraid too. Terrified, really. What did this whole thing mean, anyway? They hadn’t talked about it, hadn’t knownhow.That wasn’t just on Morgan; Hayes hadn’t managed to find the words, either.

But then he thought about how Morgan had looked right through him only a few hours ago, like he wasn’t the guy he’d shared his body and his bed and his heart with. Like he wasn’t even Hayes Montgomery, who he’d shared ice and a line and a team with, less than two months ago. When he remembered that, it was easy to stay angry.

“You do. I fucked it up. I really fucked up.” Morgan ran a hand through his hair.

“So that’s why you’re here? To apologize?”

“Yeah. Apologize. For sure. And to uh . . .” Morgan shot him a look, and suddenly his eyes weren’t cold anymore. They were molten and full of heat.

Oh, he was serious, wasn’t he? He really thought he could show up here, to Hayes’ hotel room, after ghosting him for six weeks, and think Hayes was going to let him touch him?

“Are you fucking joking?”

Morgan had the nerve to take a step closer, like Hayes hadn’t even said anything at all.

“Monty,” he said, his voice low. “IknowI fucked up. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I should’ve talked to you.”

“So you’re apologizing now cause you want me to suck your dick? Is that how it is?” Hayes demanded archly.

“What? No. I just . . .we’re both here and you’re here overnight and . . .”

“We should just fuck because we’re both here? I don’t think so.” Hayes shook his head emphatically. Not just for Morgan’s benefit but for his own. There was a very vocal part of him clamoring to just give in. It would be so good. Maybe he wouldn’t get confused this time, because now, he knew exactly what the score was.

Whenever they saw each other, they’d hook up. His heart would stay out of it.

But no matter how much he might be tempted, Hayes couldn’t, because his heart was alreadyinit.

“You’re telling me you really don’t want to.” Morgan sounded surprised, like of course Hayes should want him. Should want to take advantage of this opportunity.

Hayes rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to. I’m not so pathetic I’m waiting around for whatever scraps you throw my way.”

He was, actually, but the last thing Hayes wanted was for Morgan to realize that.