CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The plane ride back to Boston was quiet, with guys choosing to do their own thing or talk quietly rather than play cards or video games.
Everyone was exhausted by the back-to-back overtime losses, and no one seemed in the mood to socialize.
Graham mostly dozed, waking long enough to see Thad get up and go to the bathroom.
Connor was awake, watching footage of what looked like his son Nolan’s hockey game on his tablet, and Graham debated for a moment before he nudged his knee, asking to be let out into the aisle.
Connor did it with a distracted grunt and Graham thanked him with a pat on the shoulder.
He didn’t even know why he’d gotten up. He wasn’t going to gointhe bathroom with Thad or anything. He wasn’tthatstupid. Even if he thought two guys of their size and stature would fit, which was doubtful.
But he was there when Thad left the bathroom and the smell of his cologne and the brush of his fingers when he discreetly tangled them with Graham’s was enough to settle him somehow.
“Come to my place when we get back?” Graham murmured under his breath.
“Yeah,” was all Thad said but he squeezed Graham’s fingers and let go, heading back to his seat.
Graham stood in the bathroom for a few minutes, pointlessly flushing the toilet and washing his hands to make it seem like he’d used it and not merely desperate for an excuse to touch Thad.
Graham couldn’t remember if he’d ever been like this with anyone. So aware of them, so eagerly on edge to touch them. To spend time with them.
He’d cared about Madison, he really had, but this was … this was something different. Something special.
He could feel it in his bones.
When they landed in Boston, Graham stepped off the plane, glad to be home.
It was late, the air cool with a crispness that only came this time of year and he always associated with hockey.
He shivered on the tarmac for a moment before he strolled over to Thad. He hadn’t gotten his car back from the shop yet, and Graham was grateful because it allowed him to casually offer to give Thad a ride home.
No one gave them a second glance as they strolled to where Graham had parked. They loaded his vehicle with their bags,then climbed inside. Graham started the car, turning on the heated seats and cranking up the temperature before he held out a hand.
Thad took it immediately, squeezing once, then leaving their hands loosely clasped together on the center console.
“Is it stupid to say I wish I could touch you all the time?” Graham asked softly, rubbing his thumb across the back of Thad’s hand.
“Not unless it’s stupid for me to say I want that too.”
The low, rough sound of Thad’s voice made Graham shiver. He looked Thad in the eye and was reminded of the conversation they’d had outside of Thad’s apartment during training camp.
God, had it only been a few weeks ago? It felt like they’d barely begun. And yet, this felt soright.
A short rap on the window made Graham jump and he hastily let go of Thad’s hand, hoping the person standing there hadn’t seen anything.
He pressed a button and the window rolled down. “Uh, hey,” he said, realizing it was Erik Wyatt. “What’s up?”
“Uhh.” The kid scratched the back of his neck. “I think I have a flat tire. They’re gonna arrange to get my car towed back to the hotel but do you think you could give me a lift?”
Graham stifled a sigh.
What hewantedwas to get home and get naked with Thad. But he was an alternate captain. He was supposed to be setting a good example and taking care of these lost little hockey players who didn’t have their shit together yet.
He glanced over at Thad. “You mind?”
“Nope,” he said.
