Page 54 of Breaking the Ice

“It was enough you. Power play can be tough. Too many people who don’t play together, too many players who run their own lines, not wanting to work together. But you made it work.” Gavin paused, one of those smiles that he didn’t seem to give anyone else but Zach blossoming across his face. “More than made it work, honestly. It was absolutely fucking amazing.”

“Thanks,” Zach murmured, ducking his head, hoping that Gavin wouldn’t see how flushed he suddenly was at the praise.

“You’re great at this,” Gavin said. “Gonna eclipse me, at some point.”

That seemed both improbable and impossible.

“No way,” Zach said. “I don’t wanna be anywhere else—”

“Someday. Not anytime soon,” Gavin soothed, putting a hand on Zach’s shoulder this time and to Zach’s delight, his touch lingered. Like he didn’t want to let go.

“Good, ’cause I don’t want to go anywhere.” He didn’t. And if hewasgoing somewhere, it was closer to Gavin.

He wanted to get closernow, and normally Zach might have fought against that compulsion, but he didn’t want to any longer. Not tonight, anyway. He slid a few inches closer. Felt the heat of Gavin’s arm pressing against his.

Gavin didn’t move away, just smiled at Zach. Like he understood.

Like he wanted it too.

And every single goddamn time Zach thought this was too hard, that he didn’t know if he had any more patience to give, this was why he kept going. Putting one foot in front of the other.

Because nothing else felt this good.

Someday, it might be even better. But until that day . . .Zach was going to wring every ounce of enjoyment out of every moment.

There was a sudden commotion in the front, near the door, and only Gavin looking away from him forced Zach to do the same.

“Well, this isn’t that surprising,” Gavin murmured when Sidney exclaimed loudly.

Zach realized that the man he was staring at, thateveryonewas staring at, was Morgan Reynolds.

“Well positively, you’re no longer the most important person at this party,” Zach said.Might make it easier to sneak out with me.

“Yeah, except it’s Reynolds. Did you know he was coming into town?”

Zach shook his head. If Finn had known, he hadn’t mentioned it.

“He didn’t tell me either.” Gavin sounded exasperated.

“At least he didn’t tell Finn ahead of time, so he couldn’t angst about it,” Zach pointed out.

“Or Finn didn’t tell us,” Gavin said heavily.

“I don’t think he would’ve been able to keep that under wraps,” Zach said. “But let me check in with Ramsey. Maybe he told him instead.” He pulled out his phone and sent Ramsey a quick text.Hey did Finn say anything about his dad being here for the game?

Ramsey’s reply was nearly instantaneous.No. He surprised him after the game. Asshole. It’s okay. He’s with me, now.

Zach tried not to smile. Ramsey was as good of a protector as he and Gavin had hoped he would be.

“He didn’t know,” Zach confirmed. “And Ramsey’s with him. He’s got this.”

“Good, good.” Gavin was still looking over at where Sidney had an arm around Morgan. Sidney looked like he’d just won the lottery, and Morgan was laughing, amused by something.

Maybe how half the party was practically genuflecting at his appearance.

It was so weird, being in the same room as him—this man Hayes loved even though he didn’t want to.

“I guess I should go over there. Say something to him.” Gavin didn’t seem like he actually wanted to do it.