Page 3

CHAPTER 3

MILLER

Lowering myself into the ice bath, I both rejoiced and swore at the cold temperature. My body hurt in places I hadn’t felt in years, which was saying something. Training camp had been good. We’d just finished our last practice this morning and had the rest of the day to rest before the game tonight.

After the encounter with Lathan on day one, I expected him to avoid me at all costs. Color me surprised when he teamed up with me during practice. Granted, he hadn’t said anything other than to bark commands, but it was more than I’d anticipated.

Every grumble from his mouth made my smile brighten. My twisted brain didn’t care that the guy hated me for no apparent reason or that he called me Bambi. I was just happy to have his attention.

Like right now… Lathan strutted into the training room, spotted me, and scowled at the mere sight. A wise person would leave him alone as he requested, but I’d never been known for being smart.

“You excited about the game?” I asked.

He ignored me, but I didn’t let it stop me. It helped to focus on him instead of the freezing cold and the timer that told me how much longer I had to stay submerged.

“I am. I know it’s preseason, but the first game always hypes me up. A whole new season ahead of us where anything is possible.”

Lathan rolled his eyes, but it didn’t deter me. In fact, it made it more fun to see what reactions I could get from him.

“Anyone coming to the game for you? Not for me. Texas is a bit far from my family, not that they came to a lot of games when they were closer. They don’t really understand hockey but they’re supportive in their own way.”

“Yo, Fahn! You for real made this?” Stryker Bell asked from the open doorway. He was holding up one of the friendship bracelets I’d made the team.

“Uh, yeah. Just something I like to do.” I shrugged and noticed how still Lathan had gone.

“Dope.”

My timer went off, so I pulled myself out of the ice bath. My boxers clung to me, and I took the towel the trainer handed me. When I looked up, I caught Lathan staring before he turned his back and stalked out of the room.

Stryker raised his brow, but I shrugged. I couldn’t explain Lathan’s behavior without getting into our history. Based on his reaction to my arrival, I was the only one who’d been affected by that one touch, so I’d keep that to myself.

Stryker slapped my shoulder as I headed into the locker room. Most of the guys had left, wanting to maximize the time they had off before the game. The few that were still present nodded at us. The team had been welcoming and open so far. There was only one player who seemed to have a problem with having queer players on the team—Chet Doyle.

So far, he hadn’t done anything, but if the snide remarks he made under his breath when the coaches weren’t around were any indication, it wouldn’t be long until he did. I didn’t want to be around when he got braver, so I kept a wide berth.

I didn’t know if that was why Stryker and I had bonded—both being openly queer players in the league—or if he was just generally a nice guy, but I was happy not to be the only queer guy on the team for once.

“I’ll catch you later,” I said to Stryker after I’d dressed. He waved, not looking up from his phone as I headed out. The parking lot was practically empty as I headed over to my rental. My car and all my belongings were due to arrive early next week, and I couldn’t wait. I loved my car. It was the first nice thing I’d bought myself after signing with Chicago.

It wasn’t flashy or anything, but it was mine, and that was what I loved about it.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the shadow until it was too late. A body pushed me against my door, and their forearm pressed into my throat. The instant our skin made contact, that familiar electricity I only associated with Lathan raced up my body. His light blue eyes were hard as ice as he stared at me. They were so cold I could almost feel the cold searing into me.

I was a few inches taller than him, and my brain had all kinds of ideas on how to use that to my advantage. The press of his body against mine was sending all the wrong signals, and I willed my dick to stand down.

It did not listen.

“Awww. Did you miss me?” I teased in an attempt to distract him from the thickening cock in my pants.

My words broke his stupor, and he sneered. “Keep your love life out of the locker room, Bambi.”

I blinked in confusion. What the heck?

“Come again?” I gasped.

The blue in his eyes darkened, and I became mesmerized by them. What made them change? And why did I want to test all my theories to see what colors I discovered?

Lathan didn’t say anything else as he shoved off and took a step back. He reached into his pocket, pulled out the bracelet I’d made him, and tossed it at me. My hand came out automatically to catch it, my eyes never leaving his.

Spinning on his heels, he stalked off as quietly as he came and left me reeling. I glanced at the bracelet and the word WINGBUDDY before wrapping my fingers around it. I’d debated what to give him for days and thought that maybe this would be okay since we’d been friendly on the ice. Apparently not.

I’d just have to keep trying.

Shoving it into my pocket, I climbed into my car and started it. My erection had deflated, but the phantom burn of his skin against my throat remained there all the way home.

* * *

“Second line, switch!” Coach bellowed, and I leaped over the wall with Lathan and Cian O’Leary. The first line skated past us as we took their place on the ice. Every time I heard Coach Mack call our line, a thrill ran through me. Much to Lathan’s annoyance, I’d been put on the same line as him. But he couldn’t deny that the three of us played well together. Or, we had been.

It was the last preseason game, and we were playing St. Louis, who we’d beat at home during our preseason opener. But tonight, we were on their turf, and they were up by one point. Up until this game, we’d been playing well. But tonight, no one could find a rhythm, and it showed. The whole team was off, and we were missing passes everywhere.

Case in point, a play Lathan and I had practiced to almost perfection during training camp was not working tonight. Each time I went to pass back to him, he wouldn’t be where I expected, and the puck would go wide. Then he’d look to pass to me, and I’d be too far ahead instead of where he needed.

We were off-balanced, and it was frustrating. The only silver lining was knowing this was only a preseason game, and it was better to get all the kinks out now. When the last buzzer sounded to end the game, our team slinked into the locker room in defeat. It always sucked to lose, but again, at least this one didn’t count.

Though, by the look on Lathan’s face, he believed it was the last game in the series and we’d just lost the Stanley Cup. Part of me admired his dedication, but the other half knew you couldn’t get hung up on the games you lost, or it would consume you.

It felt like forever before I finally left the arena and headed toward the bus. Once we returned to Austin, we’d have a full week off before the regular season started. Granted, we had practice and weight training, but a week of no travel sounded blissful. My stuff had arrived finally, but most everything was still in storage. I’d taken a few boxes to my new apartment, but with our schedule, I hadn’t had a lot of time to unpack. I wasn’t the world’s most organized person, but I hated living out of boxes. I was itching to make my apartment my own, and now I had a week to do it.

“Miller!” a familiar voice called. Turning, I smiled when I spotted my college roommate and Reese.

“Landon! Reese!” I took off into a jog and hugged them both. They chuckled, returning the gesture. “What are you doing here?”

“We both had a game nearby and decided to surprise you guys,” Landon said. “Cam’s inside with Braden.”

“Let me guess, getting a refill on his popcorn?”

“You know it.” Reese chuckled. Reese, Landon, Braden, and Cam were a polyamorous couple. I’d played college hockey with Braden, Cam, and Landon and had met Reese through them. We’d all become close friends and Reese and I had bonded over our hobby of making friendship bracelets. It was their brother-in-law, Fletcher, who had owned the Chicago Ice Foxes. “How are you doing on the new team?” they asked after we’d stepped back.

“It’s great,” I said, and I meant it. I felt connected to this team in a way I never had with Chicago. It also helped that I got to play more. It had nothing to do with a grumpy right-winger.

“I’m glad it’s working out. You looked great out there tonight.”

“Eh.” I shrugged. “We’ve played better, but it’s preseason.”

“Has Lathan been welcoming? I told him to play nice.”

Before I could respond, the man in question appeared. His face morphed from his grumpy scowl into a genuine smile at the sight of his stepbrother. They embraced, and I watched in fascination how different he looked when he wasn’t grimacing. It was more beautiful than I was prepared for.

“You okay?” Reese asked.

I swallowed and nodded. “Uh. Yeah. Long week, and I’m just tired.”

Reese studied me but eventually nodded. “Okay. But if it’s something else, you can talk to me.”

“I know. Thanks, Reese.” I hugged them again. “I better get on the bus before I crash. It was good to see you.”

“You too. Let’s meet up next time you play one of the guys.”

“Sounds like a plan. Bye.”

I waved and gave one last glance at Lathan as he chatted with his stepbrother. It was almost impossible to believe the two versions of him were the same.

Ten minutes later, he climbed on the bus and ignored me as usual, his face back to his grumpy frown. Everyone was quiet as we headed to the plane. Whether it was from exhaustion or the loss, I couldn’t tell, but it made for a long flight home despite it only being a little over two hours flight time.

It was nearly two in the morning when I climbed into my car, and the familiar smell of clean cotton enveloped me. I took a moment to run my hands over the dash and soaked in the happiness my car brought me. It had arrived right before we’d left so I hadn’t been able to drive it much yet. That would change, starting now.

I took the longer route home despite my tiredness. The city was quiet and peaceful, and I enjoyed the leisurely drive. It was relaxing and helped ease my last bit of frayed nerves from the game.

A block from my apartment building, I noticed a large plume of smoke in the air. Red and blue emergency lights flashed up ahead. Fire trucks crowded the streets, along with police cars and ambulances. As I neared, dread filled my gut, and I had a sinking feeling.

“Sir, you need to turn around. This area is closed,” a police officer said as I rolled to a stop.

“Um, what’s going on?”

“There’s been a fire. It’s not safe to be in the area. We’re moving everyone out until the fire is contained.”

“Fire? Where?”

“It started at the Prestige Pines, but it’s moved to a few other buildings now. Please, sir, I need to clear the area.”

“Wait! I live in Pines.”

The officer halted, his face grim as he stared at me. “Was there anyone home?”

“No. I live alone.”

He exhaled and nodded. “I’m sorry to tell you that your home is gone. The fire moved too fast, and they weren’t able to control it until it was too late. The entire building went up in flames. Thankfully, they were able to get most people out, but they’re still searching for a few. I’m sure if you call the office tomorrow, they can tell you your next steps. Do you have anywhere else you can go?”

I stared at the man as a mix of relief and anguish filled me. My home was gone, but I was safe. Everything I had in my apartment would be ashes, but I was safe.

I was safe.

So why did it feel like everything was tumbling around me?