Page 88 of Breaking the Ice

This was the first time Hayes had ever suggested he push Gavin. Every other time, he’d warned Zach to be patient. To let Gavin set the pace.

“Why are you saying this now?”

“Because I’m thirty fucking years old and I’m in love with someone who doesn’t love me back, who other than the shit he’s required to say on ESPN, hasn’t even said my name in years. It’s so shitty, and I don’t want this for you, too.”

Zach squeezed his eyes shut, stopping in front of the door to the arcade. “Hayes.”

“Don’t,” Hayes said sharply. “Don’t fucking feel sorry for me, okay?”

Zach almost said that maybe Hayes was wrong; maybe Morgan did love him but even if he did, that wasn’t any better. Maybe it was even worse. Because Hayes was still alone.

“Okay,” Zach said softly.

“If I had to relive things, I’d . . .I think I’d do them differently,” Hayes said. “That’s why I’m telling you to do this. You don’t want to end up like me, alone on New Year’s Eve and wondering what the fuck happened to your life. What it might be like if you’d made different choices, taken a risk that you didn’t think would pay off, butmight’ve.”

“You could always reach out. He’s retired now,” Zach suggested.

Hayes’ laugh was sharp. Hard. “And look desperate and pathetic? Like I can’t take a hint? Fuck no.”

“But you wantmeto—”

“I want you to make a move, because you both want each other and it’s fucking stupid to justnot,” Hayes said.

“Alright, I’ll . . .I’d consider trying again, maybe a little more directly this time,” Zach said, heart beating a little faster at the thought of it.

“Good,” Hayes said. “Now go do it.Make it happen, Zachy.”

The front door to the arcade opened, and Ramsey stuck his head out, making a face. “There you are,” he said. “Where’ve you been?”

“I gotta go,” Zach told Hayes.

Hayes hummed and then added, right before Zach hung up. “Remember, you promised.”

Like he was going to forget that, anytime soon.

“Sorry,” Zach said to Ramsey as he followed him into the arcade, skirting past the sign that said it was rented out for a private party. “I was talking to a friend.”

“Montgomery, yeah?” Ramsey asked.

It was a miracle anyone ever kept anything from this guy.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly a state secret that he and Hayes were friends.

“Yeah,” Zach said, nodding.

“You’re not dating him—” Ramsey shook his head, before he could even finish his sentence. “Of course you’re not dating him.”

“Why theof course?” Zach asked, even though he probably shouldn’t. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what Ramseyhad observed about him and Gavin that he deliberately wasn’t mentioning.

Ramsey shot him a look. “Because you’re fucking obsessed with our coach, dude.”

Right.Right.God, was it so obviouseveryoneknew?

“I mean . . .” Zach trailed off.

“Are you kidding me? You’re not in denial about this,” Ramsey said. “You two are like horny sharks circling each other.”

Zach’s jaw dropped. “We are not.” Even though he could see exactly why Ramsey might call them that.