Page 35 of Breaking the Ice

In your dreams, asshole.

Zach grinned. It was going to be a great fucking day. He was going to get back on the ice. He was going to getGavinback on the ice.

By eight, he was at the rink, heading towards Marcus’ office. After Zach rapped on the doorframe, Marcus looked up, grinning.

“Hey, Zach,” Marcus said. “I’ve got everything you wanted together, in the coaches’ room. That good?”

“Yeah, yeah, I just wanted to thank you again.”

“Well, of course. Anything for you, and you know, for a friend of Hayes.” Marcus’ eyes glazed over.

Maybe the guy did have a boner for Hayes. Zach should tell him it was impossible, because Hayes only had a boner for one person.

“Too bad he got traded to the Sentinels,” Zach said. If he hadn’t been, they could’ve done better than a signed jersey. The Evergreens traveled down to LA several times a year, and even if the timing hadn’t worked out, for a front row seat to Hayes Montgomery, he had a feeling Marcus would have bought a plane ticket.

“Worst day of my life,” Marcus said.

“Yeah, I miss him too,” Zach admitted.

On his way to the locker room, he pulled his phone out and sent Hayes another message.Might be a regular boner. You want his number?

A second later, Zach saw he’d read the text and then the little typing bubbles popped up and then disappeared three times.

He shouldn’t have asked. He was about to say,nevermind, it’s kind of a terrible idea, I don’t know why I thought it was,when Hayes finally replied.

Is he cute?

Would I have suggested it otherwise?

Marcus wasn’tGavinlevels of hotness, sure, but Marcus wasn’t doing too badly for himself. And he was nice. Nicer than some other ex-NHL player Zach could mention.

No. Being with a fan would be weird.

But that wasn’t all that Hayes wanted to say apparently, because three more texts appeared in rapid succession.

That’s what I was to him, wasn’t I?

Some pathetic fan?

God, I’m sorry. Ignore me.

Zach wished he hadn’t said anything, but he could tell it wouldn’t have mattered. Hayes was in a mood. A Morgan-induced mood.

You didn’t tell me everything, but from what I heard, no. It wasn’t like that. Maybe he’s Morgan Reynolds, but you’re Hayes Montgomery.Even now, Hayes was close-lipped with the details, but sometimes it was more about what hedidn’tsay, so he hadn’t even had to confess it all for Zach to know the truth.

Sure, there’d been a light dusting of hero worship, but Hayes was a superstar in his own right.

Every time Hayes forgot that—and it happened regularly—it was impossible not to be annoyed about it.

Sorry.

You’re not the one who should be sorry.

For being way too fucking dramatic? Yeah, I should. Good luck today! Kick ass! Take some names! Don’t kiss Gavin Blackburn!!!!!

Zach was still laughing as he pulled open the door to the coaches’ locker room.

And then he stopped abruptly, nearly swallowing his tongue.