Page 29

CHAPTER 29

JACE

M y idea—meeting up with Axel in the hotel gym, the bathroom to be exact—wasn’t going to happen.

The damn place was under renovation. With that gone, I saw only one solution.

“Do you mind switching rooms with Axel tonight and rooming with Colin?” I asked Finn quietly while we were seated at dinner.

No one could hear me above the din. Team dinners were always loud, but after tonight’s game, spirits were higher and more raucous than usual. Thankfully, Axel took a spot on the other end of the table, far, far away from me. I couldn’t take any more of his teasing, it was addictive and had me so turned on I wouldn’t have been able to make conversation, never mind eat.

“Uh, why?” Finn glanced at me.

“Because…because Axel and I need to work on the fundraiser,” I replied and took a sip of water. “We’re going to be up late trying to get all that admin shit done. It’s just easier if we share a room.”

“I can help with that.”

I choked on my drink and coughed.

Finn continued, oblivious to my discomfort. “I mean, you could come to our room, and we can work for a few hours and get it all done.”

“Uh, thanks, but we have to…um—” I cleared my throat. “There’s stuff that only Axel and I can work on for now.”

Finn gave me a questioning look.

“Please.”

I was not above begging at this point.

“If Coach finds out, I’m done for,” Finn whispered.

“He’s not going to find out. It’s one night.”

“Then again,” Finn mused. “Axel’s snoring could wake the dead. Fuck knows I hardly sleep when we’re on the road.”

“It doesn’t bother me at all. Quite the opposite.”

Because Axel would fuck my brains out and we’d both pass out. Problem solved.

“Really?” Finn mused and nodded. “Okay, but if Coach discovers the truth, you take the blame.”

“Absolutely.”

Finn tapped my arm.

“What’s changed with you and Axel? Suddenly, you’re buddies?”

‘ Yeah, fuck buddies’ I nearly blurted out. No, we were more than that. I wouldn’t break one of Coach’s steadfast rules for a hookup.

“We’ve come to an understanding,” I replied. “It’s not perfect but it works for us.”

I picked up my phone and texted Axel.

Jace: Finn’s agreed to swap rooms. I told him we’ve gotta work on the fundraiser.

I casually looked around the room. Axel laughed at something Ethan was saying, probably a joke, and Colin and Sean, who were seated next to him, joined in. I was honestly surprised that Axel didn’t beg off tonight after what happened with his parents and the news about Preston. Then again, he needed distraction more than anything. And I was going to make sure he got it.

Axel casually pulled out his phone and my heart began to race when I saw the smirk on his face.

Axel: If by fundraiser you mean we’re going to fuck all night, yes, we will work on that for sure, boyfriend.

I bit my lip, trying not to smile or, worse, laugh out loud.

Jace: Can you tell Colin? Then give him your key card.

Axel: On it

Axel leaned over and bent his head to talk to Colin. I checked and responded to some of my messages while I waited for his response.

Axel: Done

I leaned into Finn.

“Colin’s agreed. You okay rooming with him?” I asked, suddenly feeling guilty for deceiving my friends.

“It’s good. But only this one time.”

I nodded, relieved, offering my hand under the table. “Pass me your key card. Colin will have yours and you can grab it after dinner.”

Finn passed it over and I quickly shoved it in my pocket.

Jace: What did you tell Colin?

Axel: The truth.

Jace: ???

Axel: Finn can’t take my snoring, and you sleep like the dead.

Jace: LOL, he didn’t question it?

Axel: I didn’t say that. He gave me a look. It’s only a matter of time. You know that?

Jace: I know.

Axel: Are you worried?

Jace: Are you?

I held my breath.

Axel: No.

Thank Christ I wasn’t the only one.

Jace: So, it’s not a matter of if the team finds out, but when?

Axel: Yes.

Jace: Just like that?

Axel: Just like that. Now get your sweet ass up to our room, Honey.

I shot up out of my chair like a spring.

“You’re leaving already? We haven’t even had dessert yet,” Finn announced.

“Like I said before, I’ve got a lot of work to do,” I croaked. “A lot of it.”

I said my goodbyes to the team and headed for the elevator, my heart knocking hard against my ribs, so loud I was sure anyone standing nearby could hear it.

Reaching into my pocket, I fumbled for my key card as I stepped into the elevator.

“Hold the door!” a familiar voice called out.

It was Dane.

“Oh, hey, sorry,” I said as I put my hand on the door to keep it open.

“No worries,” he replied and stepped in beside me. “You took off so fast there, I got worried. Are you feeling sick?”

Dane was always looking out for others, and the pang of guilt that hit me earlier came roaring back. I wanted to tell him about me and Axel, I had to, but…

“I’m fine,” I replied as I hit the button for the eighth floor. “I want to finish work on the fundraiser, get it over with. You know, so I’m free to party tomorrow night, and sleep all day Sunday.”

“Sure,” Dane chuckled as the elevator began to rise. “Tough game today. Been thinking about it all through dinner. I didn’t expect Grainger to play like that.”

“Me neither. I don’t think any of us did,” I returned.

“It’s only going to get more intense from here.”

“I know,” I admitted. “You didn’t leave dinner early just to check up on me, did you? I really am okay.”

Dane swiped a hand through his hair.

“I’m wiped. My sleep’s been hit and miss this week. And, I want to call Jackson,” Dane replied with a big smile. “It’s funny, even just a day away and I miss him like crazy.”

“You’re so in love it’s sickening,” I teased him.

He laughed and when I looked up, I caught our reflections in the mirrored doors.

Dane’s expression was the same as mine.

You’re so in love …

Holy fuck, was I in love with Axel? My stomach dropped out, but it had nothing to do with this elevator ride.

“You know it.” Dane nudged me with his shoulder. “What about you? I haven’t seen you doing the stride of pride lately.”

Oh, I was doing it. Just not so anyone would notice.

“Busy with class, you know.”

“That’s not it. You’ve been acting quiet. What’s really going on?”

“I—”

The elevator pinged when it hit the eighth floor and Dane got out first.

“Aren’t you coming? You’re on this floor too, right?”

“Uh, yeah,” I replied, shaking off my unease and stepping out into the hallway.

How could I forget that Dane was on the same floor? Hopefully Axel was stealthy enough to avoid detection from our captain.

“Jace, seriously, what’s up?” Dane asked me again as we stood alone. “I’m worried.”

First Kayden, now Dane.

“It’s nothing about my health, mental or otherwise, I promise. It’s…it’s a guy.”

Fuck, that was a relief to say, and yet, frightening as fuck.

“Whoa, you mean, more than fucking?”

I nodded. “And the fucking is off the charts.”

“Oh my God, is that why you’ve had that spaced out look on your face for weeks?”

I shoved his shoulder. “Stop.”

“Who is it?”

“I can’t say,” I replied, and Dane’s face fell. “He’s not out, D. You know how it is.”

“Shit, now I’m really worried.”

“It’s okay, Dad , I’m a big boy,” I reassured my friend. “I know what I’m doing.”

“You swore off relationships.”

“I did, but?—”

“This guy’s special?”

I was suddenly too choked up to speak, so I nodded instead.

“You’ve always moved too fast to be caught,” he mused. “But it sounds like you’ve met your match. That’s heady stuff.”

“It is,” I admitted. “Only, he’s never been with a guy before. Maybe it’s just new and exciting for him now. But fucking around isn’t the same thing as being out. I’m waiting for him to wake up and realize this isn’t what he wants. Or, maybe the fucking is all he wants.”

“And you want more?”

“I want him. Only him.”

Dane whistled.

“Never thought I’d see this day.”

“You and me both.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

I shrugged. “Sort of? We’re not seeing anyone else. But it’s complicated.”

“Because he’s not out? Or for another reason?”

I’d already said too much.

Dane’s eyes narrowed. “It’s someone I know, isn’t it?”

There was nothing I could do to stop the blush from creeping up my cheeks.

Ping.

The elevator doors suddenly opened and there was Axel. We locked eyes, only for a moment, but it was enough. Axel gave me a filthy, possessive once-over until he noticed Dane standing nearby.

Shit.

“Lund,” Dane offered. “I thought your room was on the sixth floor.”

“Uh, yes,” Axel muttered as he joined us in the hallway. He ran a hand through his blond shag and then pointed at me. “But I have to speak to Jace about something first.”

“Really?” Dane glanced between the two of us and rolled his eyes. “You guys suck at this.”

“Dane,” I warned.

“It’s none of my business, but as captain of the team, and as your friend, I’m always here if you need to talk.”

“We’re fucking,” Axel blurted out. “Shit. Sorry. I mean, we’re seeing each other. We’re boyfriends.”

“You don’t have to—” I started, reaching for Axel but stopping myself.

“It’s alright, I want to tell him,” Axel replied quietly as he reached for my hand. He was holding my hand, in front of Dane, and I felt like I was flying. “If it’s okay with you.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “It’s more than okay.”

“Damn, I owe Ethan twenty bucks,” Dane muttered.

“Are you kidding me?” I turned to my friend. “Who else knows?”

Dane shrugged. “Who doesn’t? You were grinding all over each other at that frat crawl. No one dances that close, even teammates. But I think Ethan and I were the only ones who noticed. Or remembered, because hello, hangovers. Anyway, having sex isn’t exactly what I meant when I said ‘work it out’ between you.”

I gave my friend my best finger.

Axel pulled me into his side, placing a protective arm around my waist. The move was as unexpected as the hand holding and had me flushing hot.

“So, that party wasn’t a one-off,” Dane admitted as he stared at us with wide eyes. “But I have questions for Axel. A lot of them.”

“Dane—” I started.

“Given how badly you reacted to Kayden and Maddox being together, I think I have a right to be worried about my friend,” Dane continued, staring at Axel. “Not to mention the fact that your so-called best friend treated Jace like shit. If you’re playing some kind of twisted game?—”

“No. This is real. I know that Jace was telling the truth,” Axel insisted. “And I know I’ll never be able to make up for what I did to Kayden and Maddox, but I regret it every day. Trust me.”

“And now you’re in the same scenario, but on the other side of it.”

Axel nodded and bit his lower lip.

“When Jace is ready, if he’s ready, we’ll tell the team,” Axel stated.

“You don’t have to come out,” I reassured him.

“I’m going to. I’m not hiding us,” Axel’s gaze perused my face. “I can’t.”

He cupped my face and before I knew it, he was kissing me.

“Holy shit.”

Dane took the words right out of my mouth.