Page 16 of Breakaway (Nashville Knights Hockey #3)

Chapter Sixteen

CHLOE

E verything changed.

We said nothing would change, and in the span of twelve hours, everything has changed. Why did I think getting off with Dax at the sex club would be a good idea? I wasn’t thinking.

I was too wrapped up in getting the whole sex club experience to stop and think what it might do to our friendship.

I spent the entire night tossing and turning. Remembering what Dax looks like when he comes. His strong hands on my body. His grunts as he came.

Dax is no longer my best friend. How do you even quantify what we did together? I don’t have the right words.

I have never thought about Dax like that. At least not since high school. I always liked him back then, but it was Duncan who asked me out first.

Ever since then, Dax has been firmly in the best friend zone.

Now? Now, I have no idea what zone he is in. It’s murky. Clouded. Is there a my best friend and I got off together at a sex club and now I have feelings for him zone?

Because if so, that’s where I need to be.

I cannot stop remembering how good his hands felt on me as I was dry humping his dick like I’d never had sex before.

I cannot stop remembering how good his breath felt on my neck as he whispered words of encouragement in my ear. Something I’d never imagined before.

And I cannot stop remembering the feeling of us coming together. The way his fingers dug into my skin. How he held me close through my release.

Shit.

I really shouldn’t be thinking about this right now because it’s making me greedy for more.

But Dax and I said nothing would change. Having these thoughts about Dax—about wanting more with Dax—would change things.

It’s not like I can talk to him about this. What if he’s not feeling the same things as I am? What if he went to bed feeling completely normal about where the two of us stand? I mean, he’s the one that said nothing changes.

But you can’t come with your best friend and not have things change.

Instead, I pull up my texts and send one to Erica.

Chloe

Dax and I had sex last night

It’s still early. She and Devon stayed later than we did, so there’s no way she’s awake. But within thirty seconds, my phone is vibrating in my hand with her call.

I can’t even get a word out before her voice fills my ear.

“You had sex with Dax?! I know you two went off together, but I thought he was just keeping an eye on you.”

“We—”

“I mean, this is Dax. This is your ex’s brother and your best friend. Why did you not tell me this happened last night when you left?”

“Are you?—”

“I mean, this is huge, Chloe. Huge,” she continues without letting me answer. “I’ve kind of suspected that Dax always had feelings for you, but to happen at a sex club? Wow.”

“Wait. You think Dax has feelings for me?” I ask. Not where I was going to start the conversation, but it’s the only thing I can think about now.

“You are the only person in the world that doesn’t know he has been in love with you since the beginning of time.”

“But I’ve been with Duncan.”

“And? That doesn’t make his feelings magically disappear.”

“But…”

Dax has feelings for me? I thought that he went with me last night to help me with my list. Could he really have feelings for me?

The rose-colored glasses are off. Every single memory I have with Dax over the last few years comes rushing into focus. Well, a clearer focus now that Erica has blown the lid off something that seems so obvious now that she points it out.

Sure, we’ve talked about me dating him, but she never mentioned him having feelings. I thought it was because he was there and convenient that she wanted me to date him.

“See what I mean?” she asks over the phone. “You’re realizing what’s always been in front of you.”

“Wow.”

Who knew one night at a sex club could change everything? Everyone but the two of us, apparently.

“More importantly, Chloe. How was the sex?”

“Erm…”

“You said you had sex. Did you not have sex, or do I need to go over the finer points with you of how to properly have sex?”

“We were dry humping.” I clear my throat. “No kissing, because that would have made things messy, but God, do I ever want to kiss him.”

“And you came?” she asks point blank. “I think that would make things more messy.”

I snicker at her laugh.

“Yes. We both did.”

“Damn, girl. You must be good to make a man like that come in his pants.”

“What do you mean a man like that?” I ignore the other part of her statement.

“Do I really have to point out how sexy your best friend is? I mean, both of ours are.” She laughs. “But Dax? He is hot. Not that powerful, overbearing kind of hot that Duncan is, you know?”

“Oh, I know.” I roll my eyes.

“But Dax? Dax is that boy next door. The one you bring home to meet your parents and he’s shy when you first introduce them. But when you bang? All bets are off.”

“Tell me how you really feel.”

“Look, Chloe. I know you’ve sworn off all men and hockey players, but Dax is different. ”

“I know he is.”

“Duncan was the worst of all men combined. I mean, we’ve all been taken with a pretty face before, and it’s not your fault he conned you into thinking he was a good guy. That would scare anyone off dating,” she says.

“I’m scared of him hurting me,” I confess, my voice getting quiet. “I don’t think I would ever recover if Dax?—”

“Sweetie,” Erica cuts me off. “Dax would never hurt you. I don’t think he would know how to. You’re the earth and he’s the moon, revolving around you.”

“Isn’t the sun supposed to be in there somewhere?” I laugh, easing the tension that builds in my chest.

“You’re the sun, moon, and all the planets combined. You just have to decide whether you want to take the next step with Dax.”

The next step. It seems so simple, but at the same time, also feels like a giant ravine.

Nerves are burbling up in my stomach. What if Dax doesn’t want to take the next step? What if, after everything we did last night, he’s fine with how things are and doesn’t actually have feelings for me? I don’t want to lose Dax, but it can’t stay the same now.

Everything changed.

“Look, Chloe. I can feel you spinning out from here. Take a few days. Get lost in your jewelry and designs. Then, call Dax and talk to him. See how he’s feeling.”

I gasp. “You mean have a conversation like a grown-up?”

Erica laughs. “Yes. You’re an adult and I know you can do it.”

“Fine,” I grumble. “Only because it’s Dax and I don’t think I can stew on this that long.”

“If you make it two days, I’ll be impressed.”

“And for that reason, I’m going to take three. ”

“We’ll see.” She laughs. “Now, if you want to continue this conversation, I’m going to need some coffee.”

“Go back to sleep. I’ll be fine.”

“Call me once you talk to Dax so I know how it goes.”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye, babe.”

I stare at my ceiling long after the call ends. Dax leaves for a short road trip this afternoon. I miss him when he’s out of town, but this will give me the time to sort through the complicated mess of emotions swimming through me.

Erica is right about one thing. I need to have this conversation with Dax like a grown-up. I put off talking to Duncan for too long because I was mad and wanted him out of my life. That’s the very last thing I want with Dax.

If only I can figure out how to start the conversation.

Hey, Dax. Remember that time we dry humped in a sex club and we said nothing would change?

Well, everything changed…