Page 25 of Breaking the Ice

Oh, God.

If Gavin had been looking for more proof he actually wanted this, that he wanted itbadly, how terrible the realization was that he might’ve missed the chance was enough.

“Hey, I have to go,” Gavin said hurriedly. Five minutes wouldn’t change anything, but maybe if he knew, one way or the other, that feeling of being squeezed until there wasn’t any breath left in his lungs, might ease.

“Sure,” Jon said. “And email me your new schedule when you know it.” He paused. “Good luck. I think this is a great move for you, Gavin.”

“Me too. Thanks.” He signed off and the next moment he was grabbing for his phone and for the business card. Pristine, uncreased, still, because he hadn’t even had the courage to touch it.

His fingers were shaking when he dialed the number.

Zach picked up on the fifth ring. “Hey?” he asked.

“Zach,Zach,” he said breathlessly. He sounded like a heroine in a romance novel. Gavin cleared his throat. “It’s Gavin. Gavin Blackburn.”

Zach chuckled, and frankly it was hilarious. Of course he knew who Gavin was. He’d come and tracked him down, hadn’t he?

“I admit I’m surprised to hear from you,” Zach said.

Don’t say it. Don’t say you hired someone else.

“I . . .uh . . .” Gavin cleared his throat again. “I wanted to ask if the job offer was still open.”

There was a long interminable silence.

Surely Zach could hear his heartbeat rabbiting from wherever he was.

“You . . .you want the job?” Zach sounded shocked, and frankly, that made two of them.

“Yes,” Gavin said, trying to sound as certain as he felt, deep down.

“Wow,” Zach said.

“Is it . . .is it still available?”

Zach laughed. “Swift told me I was crazy.”

“Zach,” Gavin pressed.

“I’ve been putting him off. For six days. I . . .I just left Florida. Put it off forever. Hayes finally kicked me out, told me I had to face reality. Face whoever the coach was gonna be if it wasn’t gonna be you, and I’d just accepted that. Landed in Portland this afternoon. Was going to go see Swift tomorrow morning. And here you call me.”

“Sounds like it worked out.” Gavin took a breath and then another. The bands over his lungs seemed to be loosening.

“Yeah, I think so,” Zach said. He sounded delighted. Surprised, maybe, but delighted.

“You left your card for a reason. You knew I’d . . .” Gavin swallowed. “You were right.”

“I think I should record you saying that,” Zach teased gently.

“Probably,” Gavin admitted. He didn’t admit he was wrong very often. “Guess uh . . .I’m going to be flying to Portland now, too.”

“Guess so.”

Gavin told himself that Zach’s smug tone was not attractive. Because he wasn’t doing this.Theyweren’t doing this.

“Good, uh . . .tell Swift to send me the contract. I want my lawyer to look over it.”

“Will do,” Zach said. Then the smug amusement bled into something sweeter. “I’m really glad you changed your mind.”