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CHAPTER TWO

COOPER

I ran my gaze over Myles fucking Cummings, sitting across from me after all these years. He looked good, like he’d grown into himself and had become one stunning son of a bitch. And here we were, shooting the shit like old times.

“You had an older brother and a younger sister, as I recall.” Myles licked ketchup off his finger after sliding a fry through it.

My gaze chased his tongue, peeking out from between his thick lips, the hint of blond stubble on his chin.

Heat burned low in my gut. Should I tell him I’d been experimenting with guys?

When I’d told JJ, he thought it was awesome.

But then, JJ sort of liked Myles. Now I could see why.

“Yeah, my older brother Logan became a firefighter. He’s married with a couple of rug rats now. ”

He threw the fries into his mouth. “Firefighter? Wow, that’s pretty cool. And Maddie was it? Your sister?” Crumpling his burger wrapper, he shifted in his seat.

“Yeah, Maddie’s in high school. She’s on some traveling soccer team.” I sipped my tea. What did I remember about his family? “You had a younger brother, right? He was good at hockey too. ”

“Yeah.” Pursing his lips, he bowed his head for a beat. “He’s in juniors now and already looking at getting a contract.”

“Seriously? That’s got to make you proud.” I slapped his shoulder. But wait, Myles was older. “How does that work in hockey?”

He flicked his gaze toward the window, freeing a soft sigh, and then focused on me.

“To get picked up by a team, you can go into the draft between the ages of eighteen and twenty. But you don’t always play with that team right away.

In fact, most times, it’s preferable if you play in the junior leagues and college to get more seasoned.

Then you go play for the team later, eh.

That’s what happened to my buddy Mason.” He fisted his hand on the table and released it.

“My roommate, Ace, got picked up by a scout last year. It’s more typical for goalies to get a contract later. ”

“But what about you?” I eyed him. His mood had changed. “You can still get a contract, right?”

“Yeah.” He shoved his remaining fries into his bag, along with his burger wrapper. “I’m working on it.” He gave me a tight grin. “Are you done?” He gestured toward my unfinished burger and fries.

“Almost.” I ate my food and bunched the bag into a ball. “You ready to go?” Did he have another class to get to?

He stood. “I have some studying to do.” He threw his garbage into a bin and waited for me. “Hey, should I text JJ? Do you think he’d be interested in getting together?”

My heart about stopped. Why had I even brought it up? I breathed in deeply. Because it was what friends did. As I lifted a shoulder, I said, “Sure, text him.”

With a nod, a coy grin touched his mouth. “Okay.” He slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped toward the door. “Guess I’ll be seeing you at class on Thursday?”

“Yep.” After grabbing my backpack, I followed him through the door and into the sweltering heat.

Thank God this place had a dome to practice in, but the games would be brutal on the outdoor field.

I pulled on his arm, stopping him. “Hey, did you see the project we have due in a few weeks?” For whatever reason, I wanted to spend more time with him.

Probably because he reminded me of home.

“Yeah, the one about making a social media strategy for a new product?” He turned and held his hand over his eyes, blocking out the sun.

“That’s the one. Want to work on it with me? We’re supposed to partner with someone.” Of course, when I saw that, I’d thought of him. I stepped into the shade against the building, leaning my back on the bricks.

With a shrug, he said, “Sure.” He came in beside me, dropping his arm. “What’s your schedule like?”

“Our practices in the dome start at ten after morning workouts.” Dude had some amazing legs. “When do you guys practice?”

“Early. We work out first, then have a morning skate and have a post practice routine.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, and he looked away.

Okay, he’d done that more than once. Was it a gay thing? Or was it a me thing? I’d have to pay attention when I saw JJ later. Which, by the way… “Hey.” I tagged his forearm. “JJ wanted to go have a beer after our class together. Want to meet up with us? It’ll save you from texting.”

He gave me a wry grin. “Yeah, then I can gauge if he’s really interested in me.” He twisted his lips. “What time?”

“Around four. The class is at three.” It’d be fine. If these two were meant for each other, then I’d force myself to be happy for them. I slid my phone out of a pocket in my shorts. “Hey, do you still have the same number from high school?” I tapped open the contact app on my screen.

“Yeah.” He repeated the number to me.

“Got it. I’ll text you later. It was good to see you, man.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and side-hugged him .

“Great seeing you, Coop.” With a wide grin and a wave, he strolled away from me.

Later that day, my gaze landed on JJ as he strolled along the walkway to the building housing our accounting class. His height mirrored mine, but he had a slimmer build and an awesome wingspan. He was all long legs and long arms. “Hey, JJ, wait up,” I yelled as I jogged to his side.

“Hey, Coop.” He clapped me on the shoulder and continued his quick stroll.

“You’ll never guess who I had lunch with today.” I looked over his flowing brown hair, falling to his shoulders.

His stark blue gaze shifted to mine. “Who?”

“Myles Cummings.” I lifted my brows, watching him. He’d be happy, wouldn’t he?

“Shit, really? You knew him from high school, right?” He stopped and planted his hands on his hips. “How’s he doing?”

“Great. We had lunch at Five Guys. He’s going to meet us for a beer after class.” I lifted my chin. Was I being a match maker here? Yeah…

“He is?” He rubbed his chin and bit his lower lip. “I hope he’s not mad at me.” He stepped toward the building, a modern thing with lots of glass.

“Why would he be mad at you?” I followed and then got the door for us both, walking inside the cool air conditioning.

“I sort of stopped texting him over the summer.” He pressed his lips together as we made our way down a student-filled hallway.

I glanced at the room numbers next to the doors and found our room. “Hey, we’re in here.” I waved him inside. Why the hell was texting over the summer such a big deal?

“Thanks.” He seated himself at a long table toward the back of the room .

Sitting in the chair next to him, I placed my backpack on the table.

The professor wasn’t even here yet. And why did so many of the classrooms resemble conference rooms from the corporate world?

We had time to chat. “You know, he said the same thing. He felt bad about not keeping up with your texts.”

“Yeah?” A small grin worked over his lips and then it morphed into a smirk. “Did you two talk about me?” He cocked a brow and slid his backpack off his shoulder.

“Of course.” I pulled my laptop from my bag and placed it on the floor. “Why didn’t you two hook up again?” They were both gay…and jocks.

“It’s like I told you. He didn’t seem interested in me. I have game, but only if I’m feeling it from the other guy.” He slid his computer out and set it on the table, then rubbed his brow. “Wait, was I wrong?”

With a soft snort, I said, “You both thought the same things. He didn’t think you were interested in him, either.” Okay, I’d planted the seed for later. Now to see where things went. My heart stuttered. “Fuck.”

“What?” He stared at me.

“He doesn’t know I’ve been experimenting with guys.

He thinks I’m straight.” I chewed my lower lip.

Did I care if he knew? But nobody from back home knew.

JJ was the first guy I’d admitted it to.

But then, it was because he was gay and all his friends were queer.

I’d thought admitting it to him would help me fit in better with them, and it had worked.

Lowering his brows, he said, “Coop, if you don’t want me to say anything, I won’t. You can trust me on this.”

With a nod, I said, “Yeah, I trust you. I’m…

I’m sure I’ll tell him at some point.” But then would all our high school friends know?

Did I care? What about my family? Shit. My gaze snagged on the professor strolling into class with her computer bag over her shoulder.

“Anyway, I’ll text him after class and we’ll all meet up.

Maybe now you two will vibe.” I snickered.

After class, I’d texted Myles, and we were meeting him at 414 Pizza, because it was fun, close by and cheap.

I strolled into the bar and restaurant behind JJ, my eyes adjusting to the darkness from the sunshine outside.

My gaze roamed over the black chairs and tables scattered over a concrete floor with crazy paint spatters and then the dark walls with writing scrawled over them in chalk.

I’d only come in here once before with the football team after a practice. We’d sung some karaoke. Good times.

“Myles, how are you?” JJ stepped to a booth in the corner and held out his arm.

“Great, how are you?” Myles rose and gave JJ a warm hug. “Have a pleasant summer?” He freed him, looking him over.

“I did.” JJ stole a glance at me. “Sorry I, uh, didn’t keep in touch.” He brushed his hand over the back of his hair.

“No worries. Summers can be busy with family, eh?” Myles up-nodded at me. “Hey, Coop.”

“Hey.” My pulse wavered and my hands grew clammy. I wiped them on my shorts. Why was I nervous about this? “Shall we have a seat?” I held my hand out to the bench seating in the booth.

“Oh, yeah.” With a soft laugh, Myles slid on his bench while JJ glided in beside him, setting his backpack on the floor next to him.