CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MASON

I ran my gaze over my man. Jett was still pretty beat up, but he was absolutely stunning to me. There was an inner glow shining out of him now that he had his father’s support and could finally be his true self. There was still a lot of work to do, but we’d get there together. I cupped his balls through his athletic shorts and his dick chubbed in my hand. “You still want that blowjob?” My cock twitched and my mouth watered.

“Hell yes.” He sank back into the couch, pushing his hips forward and spreading his legs.

As a grin worked over my mouth, I crept between his legs and freed his thick cock, already leaking precum. “You horny?” I lapped at the tip and the salty taste of him filled my mouth. I loved how he tasted.

With a groan, he rocked his hips and threaded his fingers through my hair. “I’m so fucking horny I’m already about to explode.”

“I think I read somewhere that a concussion can either decrease or increase your sex drive.” I slid the crown into my mouth and swirled my tongue over it, my own cock hard and aching in my shorts.

He gasped and squirmed. “Yeah? Guess mine increased.” Tippin g his head back, he pushed on my head. “Do it, but take it all the way in.”

“You want to fuck my mouth?” I licked up his shaft and his dick pulsed against my tongue. A shiver raced up my spine. I wanted to fuck him, but it might not be a good idea so soon.

“I do.” With a deep moan, he thrust, rubbing his cock against my lips. “Please, Mason.”

That did it for me. I plunged my mouth over him, sucking up and fluttering my tongue along the vein in his shaft and rolling his balls in my hand.

“Oh fuck.” Jett thrust in time with my pumping mouth, gasping and wriggling on the couch. “More, faster.”

Taking him to the back of my throat, I swallowed over the head, milking him as best I could.

“Jesus, fuck, that’s good.” He panted and clutched my hair, pulling on it. As his legs trembled, he said, “Close. Go faster.”

I quickened my pace and sucked harder, all my focus on making him feel amazing. For these few minutes, I wanted him to forget all about the bullshit he’d been through.

As his body shuddered, he rasped, “Coming, fuck, coming so hard.” His cock pulsed in my mouth and hot cum shot down my throat.

I swallowed it all down, lapping at his cock and moaning over him, my own dick painfully hard and dribbling in my briefs.

As he slowed, I left him with a slurp and stood, my dick tenting my shorts. “So, you up for this, or should I just jerk off on you?” Stuffing my hand down my shorts, I lazily stroked my sensitive cock, spreading precum over the head with my thumb. As pleasure shivered over my skin, my breath caught.

“I kind of like watching you jerk off.” Grabbing my hips, he tugged me closer and skimmed my shorts over my hips and to my thighs. “Yeah, that looks delicious.”

“Yeah?” I stroked faster. “Want it?” I nudged the tip between his li ps. “I won’t last long after how fucking hot you were getting off just now.”

He flicked the head with his tongue and groaned. “Fuck yeah, I want it.” Fisting the base, he devoured me, sucking me to the back of his throat.

“Oh fucking hell.” As pleasure knotted inside me, my knees buckled, but I righted myself. My balls drew up and I slapped my hands to the back of his head, forcing my cock deeper.

Jett gagged, swallowed and kept going.

“Fuck…” As tingling worked from my dick up my spine, I surrendered. I shouldn’t fight it and make him blow me for too long. Sensation surged over my body, curling my toes into his rug and spurting my cum down his throat.

With a low groan, he lapped and swallowed it all down, sucking harder and faster.

When I calmed, he left my dick with a wet pop and brushed my cockhead over his lips. “You taste so fucking good, Mason.” He buried his face in my groin and sniffed. “You smell so fucking good.”

“Well, I hope that’s the real you talking and not the concussion.” I snorted softly. There was no way he was getting out of this without some shit about it. Because that was our way.

“I don’t know. Guess we’ll find out.” He gave me a sly grin and looked down. “Fuck, I’m half-hard again.”

I dropped my gaze to his spent dick, trying to rally. “I guess you’re the type who gets an increased sex drive with a concussion. I’m a lucky guy.” Bending over, I cupped his cheeks in my hands and placed a long, deep kiss on his mouth. “But the remainder of this day is going to be you resting and me taking care of you.”

“I like the sound of that.” He gave me a warm smile. “Mason, I want you to know you’ve been incredible through all of this. I really couldn’t have done any of it without you by my side.”

I slipped my shorts and underwear over my hips and sat next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “It’s how it’s suppos ed to be. I’m sure if the tables were turned, you’d be like that for me.”

“I’d sure try.” He flipped the band of his shorts over his cock and nuzzled into my neck. “Nothing can tear us apart, can it?”

“Nope. I’d never let that happen. You’re stuck with me, Jett Jarvis, and have been since you sent me that damn message on the hookup app.” My heart flipped. Who’d have thought?

“You mean the one about being full of yourself?” He giggled.

“Yep, that’s the one. You challenged me, and I never walk away from a challenge.” I hugged him into my side and kissed his cheek. I never knew it was possible for me to love someone this much.

The next day, I’d scheduled a meeting with Coach Henderson and my line coach, Coach Stevens, before the morning skate. I didn’t want to be thinking about what I had to say all through practice. I strolled down the hallway and into one of the smaller conference rooms.

Both coaches were already there, sitting next to each other at the long table. “Good morning, Hopkins,” Coach Henderson said.

“Good morning.” As my pulse quickened, I shut the door behind me, sat opposite them and clasped my hands over the table. I really had no idea what to expect, but my agent, Dave Nowak, had suggested I do this myself in person.

“I’m assuming this has something to do with Jarvis and the fight in the Dallas game?” Coach Henderson furrowed his brows.

“In a way, yes.” I looked at each of them in turn. This was fucking hard. What if it ruined my career? But Dave had assured me it wouldn’t. Though I might be moved to another line.

“Well, go on.” Coach Stevens bobbed his head at me.

“Okay.” Shifting in my chair, I rubbed a finger over the table. “I’m in a relationship with Jett Jarvis.” I snapped my gaze to theirs. No taking it back now.

While Coach Henderson’s brows snapped up, Coach Stevens dropped his jaw. They both stared at me.

“Well?” I wrinkled my forehead. “Say something.” Fuck. I’d stunned two coaches into silence.

“Uh…” Coach Stevens’s attention shifted to Coach Henderson. “I’ve never heard of two players from the same team, let alone the same line, hooking up.”

“We’re not hooking up. We’re in a relationship. Boyfriends, actually.” I inhaled deeply. “He’s coming out formally, you know that, right? His agent is working with management on it.”

“Yes, we know. We’re preparing to have a discussion with the whole team.” Coach Henderson eyed me while scrubbing his face. “I’m not sure what to do about this situation. Except the two of you, along with Volkov, were fast becoming our star players.”

I shrugged. “Then leave it alone. What’s it going to hurt? It’s not like Jarvis and I started dating yesterday. We’ve been together for at least a month now.” I mean, really, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Tapping his finger on the table, Coach Stevens said, “But if things start going south between you and it shows on the ice, we’ll have to switch things up.”

“You’d do that anyway.” I leaned back in my office chair, tilting it, and laid my forearm across the table. “So I guess it doesn’t really change anything. We’ll be professional in all aspects of the game, the same way we have been, and we’ll win.”

The coaches looked at each other and Henderson raised a brow. “He has a point.”

With a nod, Coach Stevens said, “Okay then. We’ll treat you both the same, but you two should probably stop bunking together on away games.”

“What?” I sprang forward, my mouth dropping open. Shit, I hadn’t seen that coming .

“It’s not fair to the other players. They don’t get to bring their wives and girlfriends to the away games.” He smirked at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “And it’s better for our games if we have a little?—”

“Nope. Don’t want to know.” Coach Stevens held up his palm to me. “What you two have been getting up to in hotel rooms on the road is TMI.”

With a soft snort, I said, “Yeah, okay. But you know, if that’s part of the reason we’ve been winning and playing so well, do you really want to rock that boat?” I’d appeal to their superstitious side. It would suck to be on the road with Jett and have him in another room. Though, I’d find a way to sleep with him anyway.

“Let us think on it.” Coach Henderson knitted his brows. “How is Jarvis doing, by the way? I’ve only heard from the team doc, but I’m assuming you’ve been spending time with him.”

“I have. He’s doing all right.” I gave them a sly grin. “I’ve been taking care of him. As soon as he’s up to it, he plans on scheduling a press conference at a home game.” I tilted my head. “When do you think he’ll be back on the ice?”

“We’re thinking in about three weeks.” Coach Henderson fixated on me, quirking the edge of his mouth. “Maybe with your devoted attention, he’ll be back sooner?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I threw him a quick grin and let it wane. So far, things sounded pretty good. But were they really? “It’s going to be okay, right?”

Coach Henderson offered me a warm smile. “Yes, Hopkins, we’ll make sure both of you are treated fairly and with respect. What happened in Dallas to Jarvis and in the game with them was absolutely uncalled for. It won’t happen here. You have my word.”

“And mine.” Coach Stevens gave me a pointed look. “Now, get dressed. I’m going to run your ass all over the ice today.”

“Yes, sir.” With a quick laugh, I hopped up from my chair and sa untered into the locker room, my heart soaring. I couldn’t wait to go home today and tell Jett all about it.

As I walked to my stall, Carlson, half-dressed for practice, padded to me. “Hey, so what’s going on? Did you have the talk?”

I scanned the room, the usual banter about our next game being flung between the guys. No one was paying us any mind.

I leaned toward Carlson. “I did have the talk. It went well, and nothing’s going to change. They’re going to treat us like they would any other players, and if we fuck up, then they’ll change up the line. But they’d do that anyway.” I shrugged a shoulder. “I think we’re going to keep sharing a room on the road.” I winked at him.

“No fucking way.” He slapped my shoulder. “That’s not fair. I don’t get to have Leo on the road with me.”

“Maybe you should have picked a hockey player for a boyfriend.” I wagged my brows at him. But really? Leo was perfect for him.

“Nope. I wouldn’t trade my man for anything.” He swung his arm around my shoulders. “I’m happy for you, bro. Really happy.”

“Thanks.” With warmth fluttering through my chest, I slid my slacks down my legs and started dressing for practice.

Later that day, I strolled into Jett’s house and set down some groceries on his kitchen counter. It was time I made him a nice meal. Sure, I wasn’t a great cook, but I could make a mean spaghetti. “Hey, how are you feeling, babe?” I glanced into the main room at the back of his head, the chopped area of his hair where they’d shaved underneath it for the stitches.

Sitting on the coach, he was watching ESPN on the television, a program discussing the latest hockey games. “Good.” He twiste d and uncurled his arm along the back cushions. “How did your talk go?”

“Great, actually.” I placed ground beef in the refrigerator and set the jar of sauce and box of pasta on the counter next to the stove. I hoped he hadn’t been worried about it all day. “Did you rest?”

“Yes. I rested so much, I’m tired of resting. I want to get back to it.” He huffed.

“You will.” I sauntered to him and fell in beside him and grabbed both of his cheeks, looking over the faded bruising around his eyes and jaw. The swelling was almost gone. “You’re starting to look like your old self.” I planted a hard kiss on his lips. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” A smile swept over his mouth. “Now tell me what they said, and then please tell me you’re making something simple for dinner?”

“You have no faith in my cooking skills.” With a shake of my head, I chuckled and released him. “I’m making spaghetti, a recipe my mom taught me, and the coaches are cool with us fucking and playing together.”

“They are, huh? Is that how they put it?” He gave me a coy grin.

“Yep.” I brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “I made sure they came to the conclusion that us being together didn’t mean we needed to be treated differently. We’ll be professional as always, and if, for whatever reason, our line starts to fall apart, then they’ll switch it up. Which they’d do no matter if we were in a relationship or not.” I lifted my brows. “See? Not a problem.”

“Damn, I never thought of it like that.” He kissed my cheek. “You’re kind of a genius, Hopkins.”

Tapping my head, I said, “Yeah, I’m more than a pretty face.” My phone buzzed in the breast pocket of my suit jacket, and I fished it out. “Shit, it’s my mom.” I hadn’t had time to talk to them s ince we were in the hospital. “Let me take this.” I hopped off the couch and paced toward the kitchen. “Hey, Mom.”

“Mason? How are you and Jett? What’s going on out there?” she asked.

“We’re both much better.” I glanced at Jett, watching me with the television muted. As I shrugged out of my jacket and folded it across the back of a dining chair. I said, “How about I call you back and we all FaceTime? Is Dad there with you?”

“He is,” she said.

“You up for that, Jett?” I strolled to him and carded my fingers through his hair. “Gotta warn you, Mom, he’s still a little beat up.”

With a click of her tongue, she said, “You know I’m used to that, between your father, you, and your brother.”

“Yes, I’d love to meet your mom.” Jett’s eyes lit up.

“Okay, let me call you back. Go get Dad.” After hanging up the call, I rounded the couch and planted myself next to Jett again. “At least you showered today.”

“Yeah, I couldn’t stand myself anymore.” He threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “Okay, call them.”

“Yep.” I FaceTimed Mom, and after a few rings, she picked up.

Both she and Dad showed on the screen. “Hi, Jett. Nice to meet you.” Mom waved.

“Same here.” Jett waved back.

“Damn, Boyd really did a number on you.” With his lips pursed, Dad stared into the screen and shook his head. “He deserves to be banned from the league if you ask me.”

“Thanks, Mr. Hopkins, but I don’t know if what happened warrants ending his career.” Furrowing his brows, Jett glanced at me.

“Scott…you can call me Scott.” A kind smile crept over Dad’s lips. “That’s very noble of you, Jett. ”

“How are you doing though, really?” Mom creased her brows. “Mason, you still have some bruising.”

“We’re doing just fine. I’m taking care of him and making him your spaghetti tonight.” I leaned into Jett’s side while smiling at Mom.

“Don’t put too much garlic in it this time. Only two cloves.” She wagged her finger at me.

“But I like garlic.” I snuck a glance at Jett. She was going to ruin my cooking mojo.

“I like garlic too.” Jett threw me a quick grin. “You can put three in, but no more.” He pecked my cheek.

“Okay…well, I’m glad Mason is taking care of you.” She raised the corner of her lips. “You know, when Mason and Lucas were little, Mason used to take care of him when he was sick.” She giggled, her shoulders shaking. “I thought he might want to go into nursing if he didn’t play hockey.”

“Mom.” With a scoff, I shook my head. It figured she’d bring that up.

“Really.” Jett gave me a sly grin. “He is pretty good at it. Won’t let me do a thing.”

“Yes, and watch out for his protective side. If anyone so much as looked at Lucas the wrong way, there was Mason, ready to beat them up.” She chuckled.

“Uh-huh.” Jett tongued the corner of his mouth. “That’s pretty much how he’s been handling our relationship.”

“According to the news footage I saw, if that official hadn’t pulled Mason off Boyd, Mason would have choked him out.” A wide grin swept over Dad’s mouth. “Yep, that’s my boy.”

“Boyd deserved it. Nobody touches my man like that.” Heat built in my chest like I was back there on the ice with the fucker.

“Sounds like I’m in great hands.” Jett patted my knee. “I hope when we play out there, you two will come to a game.”

“Oh, you can count on it. We’ll bring Lucas too. I know he’s dying to meet you,” Mom said .

“They always come to the games if they’re within a few hours of their house.” I thought through our schedule. “I think we’ll be out there in November, so Jett should be playing by then.”

“Good, we’ll make a night of it.” Dad glanced at Mom and focused on us. “Jett, how are things with your family? I know your dad is CEO of a company, right?”

“Yes, they’re better.” Jett played with the drawstring on his athletic shorts. “In fact, because of everything that happened, my dad is out here now with his wife. I…” He glanced at me. “I came out to him the other day. He actually took it better than I expected.”

“And you’ll both be coming out as partners formally?” Dad asked.

“We will.” Jett’s attention cut to mine, and he gave me a shy grin. “Mason has changed my life. I was living a lie before meeting him, and now… Now, I think I’ve found a path back to my dad.” He touched his head to my cheek.

“Aw, honey, that’s so sweet of you to say.” Mom clasped her hands in front of her chest, her gaze darting between Jett and me. “I’m so happy for you both.”

With my heart warming and cheeks flushing, I said, “Yeah, yeah.” I chuckled. “Anyway, I let the coaching staff know about us being partners and we worked it out.”

Dad rubbed his forehead. “Jesus, that’s got to be tough. Are they switching up your line?”

“Nope, not as long as we continue to play well. There’s no need.” I let out a long breath. I was starting to get tired of having to explain this, but I was sure it would keep coming up.

Knitting his brows, Dad said, “Yeah, I suppose it doesn’t really change things.”

“It does not.” I chuckled. I needed to end this call so I could get dinner on the table. “So anyway, we’ll see you in December at the latest, and I’ll keep in touch.”

“Okay, talk to you soon.” Mom waved into the phone.

“Let us know as soon as there’s anything new, okay? I’d rather hear it from you both and not the grapevine or ESPN.” Dad tensed his mouth.

“Sure, Dad.” Now, I wondered what he’d been hearing, but we’d save that conversation for another day. “Bye and love you both.” I waved at them.

“Bye, and it was so nice meeting you, Jett.” Mom smiled at us and ended the call.

“Well.” Jett shifted to face me. “How much garlic do you normally put in the spaghetti?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, five or six cloves.” My gaze searched his face. Okay, or more than that sometimes.

He wrinkled his nose. “Jesus, let’s stick with three. I like garlic and all, but damn.” A soft grin played over his lips. “I don’t want to be smelling like garlic for the next few days.”

“Whatever.” I pressed a quick kiss on his lips and rose from the couch. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” I patted his head.

“I’m not worried.” He grabbed my hand as I made to walk away. “Mason? Your Mom is not only beautiful, she’s one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. Sort of reminds me of how my mom was.” His eyes glittered in the low light.

Bending down, I cupped his cheek. “She’s going to be your mom too. You’ll see.” Yeah, I could share. I kissed him again and walked toward the kitchen. It was time to show off my cooking skills.