“A hockey player?” I ask.
Denny laughs. “No. I did just buy him skates though. He’s beginning to stand on his own, so it’s almost time. He’s going to be a gremlin, like from that horrible movie that gave all the kids nightmares, but the cute gremlin from before they get rained on or whatever turns them into demons.”
“That’s going to be adorable,” I say.
Felton nods excitedly. “I can’t wait to see him.”
I elbow Felton. “Do you see them often?”
Felton shakes his head. “No, but they come over sometimes.”
“When Tyler works, I take Ty out of the house when I can,” Denny says.
“What does he do?” I ask.
“Customer service quality checks for a variety of companies.”
“You know when someone calls and says, ‘This call is being recorded for quality assurance?’ He’s the quality assurance,” Felton says.
“That sounds… exciting,” Willits says.
Denny snorts. “It’s dull as fuck except sometimes he comes across something funny. Most of the time, it’s boring, but he gets paid really good money and only works three or so hours a day.”
“That’s not a bad workday,” I comment.
“Far less demanding than ours,” Zenia says.
I’m distracted by movement outside the gym. Two entire walls of the gym are glass panels. One wall of glass faces the outside, but it’s one-way glass, so no one can see inside while we can look out. The other wall looks into the facility, and it can beseen through in both directions. It’s where Seb and Mina watch us and observe what we’re doing.
It’s been the cause of many hidden injuries being found. I think some guys forget that not both sets of windows are one way.
The movement that caught my eye is Coach. He glances into the gym, and I swear, he meets my eyes. I try not to smirk, though I’m not sure I pull off a straight face when I see him.
Remembering the image of him from last night after the game against Toronto makes me want to smile. Walking in the door and finding him naked, waiting on his knees, will never get old. Hard. Shy.
He looks different like that. I’m beginning to view his clothing like a different skin. Once he puts his clothes on, the vulnerability that I’ve been seeing is completely gone. He’s confident, refined, and looks like a million dollars.
But when we’re alone, when he’s naked and bare for me, the coach that I’ve come to know isn’t who I’m with. There are very few glimpses of that man.
The one I spend my time with, my concubine—yep, still not feeling that title—is the real Shively Myers. The man that doesn’t have to live up to the appearance he’s put into the world. I see how soft he truly is. I see how different he is from the man standing on the other side of the wall of windows with our assistant coach.
It’s strange how very unrecognizable he has become. I know my man is hidden in that gorgeous exterior, and I’m not at all surprised he has a repressed submissive side. His life is demanding, and the world around him expects a lot from him. He’s needed a safe space to shed that weight for a long time.
Shively turns his body toward the glass, pushing his hands into his pants pockets. I’m not sure he’s looking at anyone in particular, though I’m confident his eyes snag on me often.Assistant Coach Reno is still beside him. I can see their mouths moving, so I know they’re having a conversation.
I blink out of my staring when Felton shoves me. He’s grinning when I meet his eyes.
“What’re you staring at?”
I shake my head. “Sorry. Zoned out for a minute.”
“What’re you thinking about?” he asks.
I pointedly don’t look back at the windows as I shake my head. “I don’t even know.” A yawn sneaks up, and I exaggerate it when I let it out. “Think I’m just tired.”
“Yeah, we played our asses off and still lost,” Zenia mutters.
Felton scowls. “I swear that one didn’t go in. I caught it on my blade before it crossed the red line.”
