Page 26

SILAS

F inn kept telling me he was okay, but I knew he wasn’t. There was no way in hell he was all right. Not after receiving that kind of news about his mom. While I tended to deal with things internally, Finn was the kind of person that needed to talk.

So, I let him.

I invited him back with me to the house and we set up in the kitchen making dinner.

Finn asked again about my “crush,” and what was I going to say to that?

God, the word was ridiculous, something that teenagers would use.

Still, the idea that I was crushing hard on Damien made my stomach somersault.

“I can’t, Finn. I wish I could, but it’s complicated,” I admitted. “To start with, he’s not out.”

Which was partly the truth. Finn, being the sweet guy he was, understood.

He didn’t push me to say anything else. Even though I knew he wanted to ask more questions, and to be honest, I was anxious to talk about Damien.

Huh. That was a first for me. While I had no problem talking about sex, talking about my feelings for my coach was a no-go. For so many reasons.

By the time the tacos were ready, Jo had arrived home, and all three of us chowed down while watching a movie.

Afterwards, I got busy cleaning up while Jo and Finn played video games.

I couldn’t help but laugh at their competitive trash-talk and one-upmanship.

Hockey players never liked to lose, at anything.

I joined in on the games an hour later until Finn started to yawn.

“I better get going,” Finn announced and rubbed his eyes. “I’ve got to get my shit packed tonight.”

Finn said his goodbyes to Jo, and then I drove him back to campus around nine. He was about to step out of my truck when he paused.

“I can take a rideshare tomorrow if you’re busy,” he insisted.

“It’s all good, Finn. I’ve gotta take Jo to a doctor’s appointment before I head to work anyway.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. The ride, dinner, and the company. It was much-needed distraction.”

“Of course. Anytime.” I offered my fist, and he bumped it. “Now catch some sleep, bud, you have a long travel day ahead.”

“You sound like my oldest brother,” Finn quipped.

“I’ve had a lot of practice. Night.”

I waited until I saw him head inside the dorm and then I pulled out of the campus parking lot.

When I got back home, I sat in my truck for a while, staring at my phone.

Debating. Second guessing. It wasn’t like me.

When I decided, I was done. But what was going on with me and Damien, I didn’t know how to deal with it.

I’d seen him this afternoon, only a couple of hours ago, and already my fingers were itching to text him. More than that, to touch him.

Fuck it.

Silas: Are you at home?

Damien: I just got in. I was out with Dave. A work dinner, discussing the visiting pros and all the related media the school is pushing. They’ve even hired a photographer.

Silas: Please tell me they’re not going to follow us around all day.

Damien: Not the whole day. But longer than I’d like. Is Finn all right?

Silas: I dropped him back at the dorm. He had dinner with Jo and me. I think he’s okay, but anxious to get home.

Damien: I don’t blame him.

Silas: He was asking about you. I mean, not you directly, obviously, but he knows something’s up with me. I feel like shit lying to him.

I got out of the truck, locked it, and then headed inside the house. Jo was sound asleep on the couch, so I covered him with a blanket, then made for my bedroom.

Damien: I know. Same with Dave. Not that he suspects anything between you and me, but I know he’d be upset if he learned the truth. The only person I’ve told is Selwin.

My phone tumbled out of my hand and hit the floor with a clatter. I quickly picked it up, thankful it wasn’t broken, and flopped down on my bed.

Silas: What?

Damien: When we were in Chicago, I told him that I wasn’t straight. And, not just that, he noticed the way you looked at me. And the way I look at you.

I had so many questions, but I was too overwhelmed to think, let alone ask.

Silas: Oh shit.

Damien: I know. But he won’t say anything.

Silas: I’m not worried about that, but the fact that he noticed. Is it that obvious? Then again, I’m in over my head with you, so why am I surprised?

Shit, had I confessed all that to Damien?

Damien: I feel the same.

My cock got so hard, so fast, I was dizzy. Thank fuck I was lying down.

Silas: It’s only been a few hours, and I already miss you.

Damien: I miss you too. Only two more days.

Silas: Can’t wait. And speaking of which, I’m going to grab my dildo and prep for Saturday.

I saw the three dots pop up, then disappear, then pop up again.

Damien: Thanks a lot, now you’ve given me a hard-on that I can’t do anything about. You better not come either.

Silas: I’m not. I made a promise to you, and I’ll stick to it. But I will give my dildo a thorough workout LOL. Kind of like when we warm up on the ice. Gotta make sure the hip flexors and glutes are ready for all the action, right?

Damien: Goddamn it, how am I supposed to go to sleep?

Silas: All I can think about is you fucking me. So many possibilities. On the deck, in the shower, in your bed.

Damien: Oh God, I’m heading off take a cold shower. Or maybe jump in the frigid lake. Whatever works.

Silas: I’ll send you some visuals to get you excited for the weekend.

Damien: I’m not sure I’ll make it that long.

Silas: You will. You’re a man of your word. And I’ll see you Friday at the rink.

Damien: I’ll be the first one there.

Silas: Better lock your office door.

I put the phone aside and yanked open my nightstand drawer to search for my dildo.

Since I hadn’t been fucked in over two years, and when the need for a good railing hit me hard, the toy always satisfied.

But it wasn’t a warm, real cock. It wasn’t Damien’s.

And having his dick in my ass was becoming more than a want.

It was a need that was getting stronger.

More than that, I had to have him all over me, and me over him.

I wanted to tumble around in his bed, wreck him, possess every part of him, until we were both to sore and too satisfied to move. Then we’d do it all over again.

I reached under my pillow, pulled out the lube, and poured a generous amount on my fingers and then the dildo.

Spreading my legs wide, I took my hard cock in one hand, giving myself long, firm strokes, while my other slid over my hole.

Thinking about Damien like this, lying on top of me, his cock teasing my ass, his hands tormenting my nipples, fuck, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold on to my control.

I pushed the tip of my slick middle finger in my ass and groaned at the initial burn of penetration. Man, I loved that line between pleasure and pain, but then again, I was a hockey player. We were gluttons for punishment.

Pushing deeper, I got all the way in, then added another finger, until I was fucking myself.

Panting and so turned on I could barely breathe, I withdrew my fingers and rolled over, getting up on my knees.

I positioned the dildo behind me and leaned back, sinking down on the toy one slow inch at a time until it was all the way inside me.

When the tip of the dildo nudged my prostate, I bit my lip to keep from crying out at the sheer enormity of the pleasure that washed over me.

I began to ride the toy, levering up and down, my hips pumping hard, but oh shit, this was a bad idea because my climax was building fast and furious.

No. Stop.

I didn’t want to break my promise to Damien.

But I want to show him how far he’s pushed me. How badly I want him.

Without pause, I reached for my phone with my free hand and held it back near my ass, snapping a pic. The angle was awkward, so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I dropped the phone on the bed and took a deep breath to try and calm down.

Shaking from wanting to come so badly, I gently eased off the dildo and my bed, stalking into my bathroom for an icy cold shower. My cock slapped hard against my stomach, red and leaking pre-cum, and like Damien, I needed to cool down. Fast.

The shock of freezing water had my dick deflating just in time.

I was so close to the edge, one tug, one more stroke, and I was done for.

Instead, I scrubbed up fast, dried off, brushed my teeth, and called it a night.

But not before I picked up my phone again and tapped on the photo I’d snapped.

I had to admit that my ass looked pretty good fucking that dildo.

It would look even better when I was fucking Damien’s cock.

Horny and frustrated, I sent the photo to Damien and told him just that.

Damien: Are you trying to kill me? I’m going for a midnight run AND a dunk in the lake.

Silas: I was a good student; I listened to your instruction, and I didn’t come. I’m saving it all for you, Coach. And it’s always smart to be prepared, right?

Damien: I don’t think anything’s prepared me for you. Now stop flirting and go to bed.

Silas: Yes, sir.

It took me nearly two hours to fall asleep. I didn’t mind one bit.

The next day, surprisingly, I woke up before my alarm. I’d only managed five hours of sleep, but it didn’t seem to matter. It wasn’t easy to ignore my morning erection, and because of that, I was revved up. I didn’t even need caffeine to get moving; I was running on hormones and heady anticipation.

And all because I was one day closer to Damien.

“Whoa, what’s with the major smile first thing in the morning?” Jo teased when I entered the kitchen. “Who even are you right now?”

“Hey, I smile plenty.”

“Only on holidays and special occasions.”

Instead of replying to my brother’s smart-ass comment, I offered my middle finger and set about making my breakfast. Such as it was. I chugged down an iced coffee and ate a protein bar. I’d have time to grab a snack when I got to Verdant.

“Are you good to go?” I asked Jo. “You have your meds with you?”

“Yep.”

“Cool. I’ve got a list of questions for the doctor.”

“Me too.”

Then we hit the road. First stop, campus. Finn was waiting in front of his dorm, his bag by his feet. With his headphones and sunglasses on, he didn’t even notice us pulling up to the curb until I honked the horn. He shoved his phone in his pocket and sidled up to the truck.

“Morning, guys,” Finn offered as he slid into the back seat.

“Morning, Finn.” Jo turned around. “Hey, do you notice anything different about Silas?”

I pulled out of the parking lot and made my way down Main Street, which was busy with tourists. Finn leaned forward between the front seats and stared at me. I kept my eyes focused on the road instead of their antics.

“Oh my God, he’s smiling again.” Finn nudged me. “It’s like a Christmas miracle, but in the summer.”

“You two are freaking hilarious,” I offered.

“I think he’s in love,” Jo stated.

I hit the brakes hard at the next light. Shit.

“He didn’t deny that he had a crush,” Finn added. “But he’s keeping his man a secret.”

I sighed and floored the accelerator. In a few minutes, we were on the highway headed to Burlington.

“I’m going to leave both of you at the airport if you don’t stop,” I warned.

“I know that Silas has a thing for athletic guys. Maybe it’s one of your teammates? Or a guy on another hockey team?” Jo continued.

“Since I play with him, I’d say nada to all that. In fact, Silas talks more to Coach Banning than any other player.” Finn chuckled.

“Okay, guys, you’ve had your fun,” I interrupted, panic washing over me. “That’s enough.”

“Is Banning single?” Jo continued.

Where the hell did that come from? Ignoring the comment, I gripped the steering wheel like a lifeline.

“No clue,” Finn replied. “But his ex-wife showed up at the rink the other day and he wasn’t happy about it. I’d say he’s vehemently single. I’ve never seen him with anyone or heard him talking about a girlfriend. Silas, what about you?”

“What do you mean, what about me?” I bit out.

“Do you think Banning is single?” Finn asked.

I let out a long breath.

“I think Damien has a right to privacy.”

“Damien?” Finn and Jo said at the same time.

Against all my willpower, I began to blush. Fuck. Please let this conversation be over now.

“Holy shit!” Finn exclaimed loudly.

“What? Did you forget something back at the dorm?” I asked him.

“Uh, no. No. I, um, realized something about, uh…. my flight. It’s nothing.”

“Okay.”

Weird, but okay.

Finn and Jo were quiet after that, with Jo busy typing away on his phone and Finn staring a hole in the back of my head. Could he tell? Did I fuck up? By the time we arrived at the airport, I was ready for another coffee.

Or a plane ride out of here…

“Uh, Si, could you help me with my bag?” Finn asked as I drove up to the departure gate.

“Sure.”

After I pulled into a temporary space, I parked and hopped out to help Finn. Only, by the time I rounded the truck, he was already out of the vehicle with his bag in hand. Odd.

“Thanks again for the lift,” Finn offered.

“No problem. And text me when you know more about your mom.”

“I will.” Finn suddenly lowered his sunglasses. “And be careful.”

“About what?”

My stomach tightened as I caught the knowing glint in my friend’s eyes. Did he suspect about me and Damien?

“Training camp. Don’t overexert yourself. You pushed hard yesterday but you don’t want to get injured or worse. Be careful.”

Oh, that.

“No worries,” I replied calmly. “I want to keep my body in top working order.”

For once, hockey was the least of it.