Page 82 of Snapping the Ice

“Yep, and Ace is the Cardinal’s goalie.” Shit, did I need a jacket? It was November. I strode to the hallway closet by the door and snapped my blue jacket off a hanger. After living back East and in Minnesota, it was still hard to justify a jacket for sixty-degree weather, but the dry air out here made it feel colder.

“Ready?” Ezra threaded his fingers in mine. “I’m looking forward to this. I haven’t been to this bar since I was in college.”

“I haven’t been ever. So…” With a grin, I tugged him along to the door. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was sure it would be a good time.

After Ubering to the club and waiting in line, we strolled inside The Club on Mill. Mostly men filled the club, along with flashing lights and techno music. A lot of the men were shirtless and damn, grinding and making out right there on thedancefloor. I took a hard swallow. Where the hell were the guys? Mason had texted and told me they were here.

I looked to the right. A long bar rested along the wall with a chalkboard spanning the length of it, filled with shot names in neon colors. “Oh, there’s the shot list.” I pointed at it.

Mason, standing at a corner of the bar, raised his hand and waved.

With a grin spreading over his mouth, Jett’s gaze met mine.

“There they are.” I wound my way through men with Ezra in tow and stopped at them.

Several guys turned around, one built like a house with dark hair and eyes. It was Ace.

“Little bro, we’ve been waiting for you to do our first shot.” He stepped aside and a line of shot glasses came into the view on the bar. “We always begin the night with a Fuck U of A shot.” He snickered.

“Great.” I glanced at the rest of the guys. “Let’s get the introductions out of the way first, though.” Leaning into Ezra, I said, “Come on.”

Walking around to each one, we shook hands, side-hugged and greeted them all.

Ezra sized up Zoma and said, “I hear you’re a figure skater?”

“I am.” Zoma, his brown hair falling around his blue eyes, stepped closer to Ezra. “These guys may seem tough, but they’re actually softies deep down.”

Ace hooked a brow. “Who are you calling soft?” He pulled Zoma to his side. “I’m only soft for you.”

“Of course.” Looking up at Ace, Zoma patted his wide chest.

Leo came closer with a beer in his hand, his dark hair cut to frame his face, and his brown eyes focusing on Ezra. “I hear you’re a photographer?”

“I am.” Ezra lifted his chin.

“He’s a damn good one.” Hooking my arm around Ezra, I kissed his cheek. “You should see the photos he took of me. I look like a model.”

Ezra inched closer to me and gave me a coy grin. “You look like a model without my photography skills.”

With a chuckle, Leo said, “Well, my brother plays in a band that’s touring the West coast, and they need some good promo shots. I’ll send them your way.” Leo ticked his brows. “The whole band is queer too.”

Ezra raised his brows. “Really? Is the band called Knot Me?”

“That’s the one. Have you seen them?” Leo sipped his beer.

“I have, a few years ago.” Ezra faced me. “They played here once, and I came to see it. They were so good.”

“Damn, small world.” I glanced at the shots. When was Mason?—

“Come on, guys.” Mason handed out shots to everyone. “It’s time to get this party started.”

I grabbed a shot from him. “What are we toasting?”

Archer stepped forward, his wavy blond hair almost covering his brown eyes, his arm around Leo’s waist. “Same as always. It’s our good luck charm. Fuck U of A.” Archer held up his glass.

In unison, everyone said, “Fuck U of A,” tapped their glasses and downed their shots.

The sweet shot glided down my throat and I hissed, then wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Okay, how about a beer now?” No more of those. I wanted to be able to perform later. There were lace panties to defile,after all.