“I’m fine.” He lifted his chin and brushed his lipsacross mine. “I wouldn’t trust me to play agameright now—not one that counted—but I can hold my own during practice.”
“You sure you’re going to be able to play, though? With your hand out of commission?”
“Eh, it’s not that bad.” He flexed his fingers again, grimacing as he did. “I won’t be winning any stick-handling competitions, but I’ll manage.”
I smirked. “Oh yeah?”
He met my eyes, then rolled his. “Oh my God. I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”
Chuckling, I patted his arm. “We’ll blame it on the lack of sleep.”
He grunted and shrugged.
“Look, in all seriousness,” I said, “last night had to be really intense for you. Not just the lack of sleep, but… everything. It’s okay to cut yourself some slack.”
Avery lowered his gaze, and his shoulders drooped just enough to give away some more of the fatigue he was trying to hide.
“I mean it,” I said. “One day of taking it easy won’t hurt your conditioning. We can make up for it, you know?”
“I know, but I’m good,” he whispered. “I’m tired as all hell, and I don’t think I could handle practicing with the team. But a light practice with you and some of the guys? I can handle that. I think I need it, you know? To shake off the… Whatever is going on in my head after last night.”
Something about that last part gave me pause.
Furrowing my brow, I asked, “Whatisgoing on in your head after last night?”
Avery dropped his gaze and rubbed the back of his neck. “It was just… It was a lot. Being in the room and all, but also… I mean, Leif should’ve been there.”
My heart dropped. “That must’ve been hard. For both of you.”
“It was. And I know he would’ve wanted everyone to be happy, but it’s hard not to be aware that he’s gone, you know? His kid was just born, and he’s…” Avery swallowed hard as he shook his head.
I touched his arm. “I’m glad you could be there for Rachel, though. That she had that support.”
“Me too. And I was thinking about it this morning—part of me is devastated that Leif couldn’t be there.” He exhaled. “But circumstances being what they are, I’mreallyglad I had my shit together enough that Iwasthere. I don’t know if I ever could’ve forgiven myself if I realized later that she needed me and I was too fucked up to be there.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just gathered him in my arms, and he sighed as he leaned into my embrace.
“I think that’s what’s been hitting me the hardest,” he said, holding me to him. “Realizing how close I came to not being the support my best friend’s widow needed.”
I stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. “But you were there. You picked yourself up and got yourself together. Don’t tie yourself in knots over what could’ve been.”
“That’s easier said than done, isn’t it?”
“Aren’t most things?”
The response was a laugh that was dry as dust. “Isn’t that the truth.”
I pressed another kiss to his forehead. “I’m glad you were there, too. For her, and for yourself.”
He loosened his embrace and looked up at me. “I wouldn’t have been there if it hadn’t been for you.” He must’ve seen the protest coming, because he put up his hand. “Yeah, I might’ve gotten it together eventually. But there’s no way I would’ve had my head together by lastnight. Not enough to be what she needed. So… thank you again for that.”
“Of course.” I carded my fingers through his hair. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
He gave me a tired smile, then raised his chin.
I met his lips, expecting a brief kiss, but neither of us pulled back. What started out lazy and languid turned hotter. Deeper. As my tongue slid over his, Avery’s hands started roaming my body over my clothes, and I moaned. We were both wearing workout pants, so there was almost nothing between us as our dicks hardened, and I couldn’t resist rutting against him. Avery’s fingers twitched on my shoulders, a soft whimper escaping as he pushed right back against my hips.
Jesus. He was tired and we had someplace else to be, but… I just couldn’t…
