Page 13

CHAPTER 13

Rodney

It’s been years since I’ve been to a hockey game. Admittedly, the last time I was in an arena, it was because I had a crush on a guy and wanted to show my support while we were secretly texting.

The memory comes back to life as soon as the cool air hits me. I shiver as I think about the person I used to be. About the young guy who wanted to feel loved so much he accepted attention from the worst type of people.

Then I look to my right and smile. Because I really feel like I’ve finally broken my streak of bad guys.

Andry is on a completely different level. He’s attentive and kind, thoughtful in ways I don’t even think he realizes. Everything he does makes me feel like I have his complete attention.

I’m still hopeful about how the Daddy thing will turn out. Even if I find I don’t enjoy the power dynamic between us, I feel like having time with him will be worth it. That getting to know him, getting to explore with him, is worth it.

Some people click when it comes to kink lifestyles — or so I’ve read online. Others don’t mesh quite as well. I really hope we’re part of the former group.

“Why are you smiling like that, little genius?” His raspy voice coasts over my ear. He’s leaning over to me, speaking close so I can hear every word.

I shiver, though not from the cold. “Just thinking of how much I’m going to enjoy this with you.”

It’s a partial truth. I’ll definitely enjoy being with him. That much is a guarantee.

I have no clue if I’ll enjoy the hockey game itself. There’s a lot about the sport that I remember. There’s probably just as much that I don’t.

“You may have to tell me some of the rules and stuff when we get in there.”

He raises a brow. “I will be the tutor this time, yes?”

Laughing, I lead him to the spot where Aries secured our seats. It’s only as we get down to them that I realize we’re up against the glass.

Oh, shit.

There’s no hiding from the action when you’re this close. Rather than regretting the location, I accept this as simply how my brother does things. He’s the epitome of ‘go big or go home’.

Spoiler: He does both. There’s no way he’s missing Ma’s cooking too.

Andry points to the empty seats. “You on the inside.”

Moving to where he says, I drop down and wiggle until it feels comfortable. When I look back over, he’s staring at me with a soft smile.

“What? Do I have something on my face?”

“No,” he says gently. “You’re just so naturally little sometimes. I wish I could let you inside my head so you could see all the things I want to do for you. If you saw them, then you wouldn’t question us.”

Us.

Such a powerful word. I feel it to the marrow of my bones when he says it.

“There’s time for you to show me, right? We aren’t on a deadline.”

His grin turns wicked at that. “Correct. No deadline for us. We will watch the game. Then later we’ll go to your place for cuddles and kisses.”

My heart goes all warm and fuzzy at the reminder. Huh? Maybe I do have a bit of a little in me.

I’m no stranger to the kink. With Aries and Raymond being so obvious, I know enough. Adding in the rest of their friend group, plus all the others I’ve heard about but never met, and you’ve got an entire army of Daddies.

I snort at the visual.

What would they be armed with? Snacks and diapers.

Andry looks as if he’s about to say something when there’s commotion out on the ice. I look out to see some of the players skating around and moving into warmups. It’s fascinating to watch the way their bodies move despite the heavy layers of protection.

When some of them line up right in front of where we’re sitting and move to do some hip stretches, I turn away so as to not embarrass myself by staring. Hockey butts are a thing. I’ve researched the hell out of them.

“What has you so flustered, little genius?”

I turn to him, careful not to let my eyes stray to the ice again. “Nothing! I’m fine!”

At his raised brow, I know my voice comes out entirely too high. There’s no denying that something is off with me. Based on the way he attacked his schoolwork earlier, I have no doubt he’ll figure out the reason now.

“Hmmm. Could it be that you’re hungry?”

I shake my head. “We just ate.”

“Ah, yes.” He snaps his fingers. “Then it’s because you’re sleepy. Would you like me to hold you so you can rest while I watch the game? I promise to withhold my normal shouting.”

“It’s not that either. I’m ok. Really.”

His teasing loosens me up so much I don’t even stop to think about looking back at the players. Of course, I wind up seeing them just as they really pick up speed on the thrusts.

I choke for a minute, forcing myself to cough to cover it. Then, for good measure, I cover my eyes.

Andry laughs beside me. His hand reaches up to pull mine down. His hand blocks my view, making sure my eyes stay locked on him.

“You are so precious. It’s the stretching that bothers you, isn’t it?”

I bite my lip.

“Be honest,” he adds when he notices my hesitation.

“Yes. It’s distracting. But I feel like I’m objectifying them if I stare too long.”

He laughs again, then pulls me into a quick kiss. It’s barely long enough to call it such, but I feel the heat of it crash through me. I would say that makes it count.

“I love that you care about such things. Some people don’t care and treat us like man meat.”

Frowning, I place a hand over his where he’s still holding my face steady. “That’s not fair to you. I’m sorry you deal with that.”

“It’s part of the deal. It’ll be much worse when I become a Bellport Bear.”

I grin at his confidence. “Is that so? Are you saying one day I could come here and see you out there doing those stretches?”

“We can go home now, and I will show them to you if you like?”

The level of arousal his comment spurs is embarrassing. Fuck. He’s so tempting.

“No can do. We’re here to watch a game.”

Andry stares at me for a long moment before releasing me with a nod. “Yes, then we should do that. And as to your other question, I know you’ll be here watching me play. There’s no way you’d miss seeing your Daddy’s game.”

I’m saved from having to answer him by a buzz in my pocket. Without looking I already know who it’s going to be.

The same person who’s been texting me non-stop since I called him earlier.

Aries: Section 107. Top row.

I turn to look at where he’s listed. Knowing my brother, there could be any number of surprises there.

The arena is lit well enough I find the section with ease. What I find there makes me uneasy.

There’s no mistaking the massive form that is Aries Merry. My big brother holds a sign that says, “Get it, little bro!” in blocky letters. It’s obviously a rush job, though his shitty handwriting could also be to blame.

Knowing there’s no chance of me being able to avoid him now, I text him back.

Rodney: What are you doing here?! You said you’d get me tickets, not that you’d come too.

Aries: I wanted to see why you needed the tickets. Plus, Raymond is with Finn for a movie night at his place. I wasn’t allowed to stay because they’re watching Up and they cry, which makes me want to punch things.

Aries: I mean, who the fuck kills off a main character in a kid’s movie?

Rodney: Really? It’s like you don’t remember the movies of our childhood. Most of those animated ones had a parent dying in them. If not, then there was still someone important getting hurt.

He sends back a string of crying emojis. I laugh, only to startle when Andry’s hand lands on my arm.

“Who are you talking to, little genius?”

Is it just me, or is there some jealousy in his gaze? Could he be upset I’m not giving him all my attention?

“My brother. He’s here.” I point in the direction of the sign Aries has picked back up.

Andry nods with a smile. “Can I see your phone? I would like to thank him for the tickets.”

With a shrug, I hand the device over. He types quickly before giving it back.

I nearly tuck it away, except something tells me I should look at what he sent. If nothing else, it will give me insight into how he’ll treat my brother when they finally meet in person.

And though I say finally, I really mean tonight, because I highly doubt Aries will leave without doing his whole macho-brother-intimidation ritual on Andry.

Rodney: This is Andry. Thanks for the tickets. Will you meet us by the locker room after the game? I want to meet you. Ma said good things about you.

My jaw drops. “Why would you tell him you met Ma? He’s going to freak!”

Sure enough, the bubbles on the screen tell me he’s texting back already. Then my phone goes off so rapidly it’s basically a vibrator in my hand.

Aries: Hi, Andry!

Aries: *waving emoji*

Aries: I will definitely meet up with you.

Aries: Rodney isn’t going to like it. He thinks I’m too extra.

Aries: You met Ma?

Aries: OMG! Are you gonna put a ring on it? Is this you asking me for his hand?

Aries: I will hold my judgement until we’ve met.

Aries: But I do like the way you make my brother smile. That gives you a head start.

Aries: He’s going to flip when he sees all these messages. It’s what he gets for ignoring me earlier tonight.

Aries: *evil Elmo fire laughing GIF*

I sigh, then pinch my nose between my fingers. “Why did you encourage him?”

“What do you mean?”

Handing the phone to Andry, I watch as he reads the reply. Then he scrolls up to read the other messages Aries sent tonight while we were at dinner.

Even I haven’t gone back to read them. I can only hope Aries didn’t mention anything embarrassing.

When he hands me back the phone, his smile is softer. “Your brother loves you. That is a beautiful thing. I already like him.”

Somehow, those words do more to calm me than I thought possible. I drop my guard at his honesty.

“That’s good. I think he’ll like you too.”

Our discussion gets lighter as we shift to sports in general. I explain how Aries is on the professional football team here in Bellport, while Andry gives me stats and details about the Bears. After covering those two, he breaks down his role on BU’s team. I find myself fascinated by every new fact he tells me.

There’s so much more to all this than I thought. Growing up with an athletic brother taught me a lot, but there’s no way to know it all. Andry gives me a different perspective at how to look at things.

Plus, it’s obvious he loves hockey. It bleeds through every detail he shares with me.

By the time the players meet for the puck drop, I feel like he and I are closer than ever. I just hope my chaos magnet of a brother doesn’t undo all our progress after the game.