Taylor nodded. “Our high schools were big rivals.”
Fletcher tapped Taylor’s sneaker with his own. “Werewerivals?” he asked his boyfriend.
Taylor let out a snort. “Definitely not. You were annoying and everything, but I never really saw us as rivals.”
Fletcher faked a gasp and pretended to be offended. “That’s kind of rude. Are you saying I was a bad player?”
“I mean, not bad. But you weren’t exactly the most confident from what I had seen,” Taylor answered honestly.
“Yeah because I had a dad who made me feel like I was never enough. It doesn’t really make for the most confident player,” Fletcher said sarcastically. He honestly lacked confidence in general.
Taylor whipped his head around to check their surroundings before leaning in and giving Fletcher a quick kiss. Fletcher hummed as their lips met before Taylor just as quickly pulled his head back. He tucked a strand of Fletcher’s hair behind his ear, sending a chill down Fletcher’s spine. “Do you still feel like you’re not enough?” he asked Fletcher earnestly.
Fletcher shrugged. “I mean, sometimes maybe. It’s kind of hard to stop thinking of yourself that way when it’s what you’ve been told your entire life.”
Taylor looked at him with genuine sadness in his eyes. “I hate him,” Taylor told him, shaking his head. “No one should be told that they aren’t enough. Especially having it come from your own parents.” Fletcher’s heart clenched.
“For what it’s worth, I can tell how much your confidence’s grown on the ice. Seattle’s been good for you, Fletch.”
Fletcher smiled. “You’ve been good for me. I was so excited to be traded because it meant I’d get to play with you,” Fletcher confessed. “You make me a better player.”
Taylor smiled as he picked up Fletcher’s hand and kissed his knuckles. “So youareobsessed with me. You know, I was totally joking when I told you I had a fan club, but obviously you were the one running it all along,” he said smugly.
Fletcher reached over and cupped Taylor’s jaw. “You weren’t supposed to find out this way,” he rolled his eyes. “Are there any perks to being your biggest fan?” he asked Taylor suggestively. He flickered his eyes down to Taylor’s lips.
“What kind of perks are you thinking of?” he asked, matching Fletcher’s tone.
Fletcher swiped his thumb along Taylor’s bottom lip and smirked. “There’s only one perk I’m really interested in.”
“And what is that?”
Fletcher leaned in close to Taylor’s ear. “I think you know, Taylor,” he said seductively.
Taylor let out a gulp. He hesitated a moment before speaking.
“Does my boy want to fuck me?” he asked Fletcher coolly.
He quickly nodded at Taylor. “Your boy wants to take care of you, Taylor.”
“Is my boy going to do bad things?” he asked shakily.
“Mmm, no.” Fletcher shook his head. “This will be a very good thing. I’ll make you feel so good, baby.”
Taylor gave him a nervous look. “Okay,” was all he said before their Uber pulled up.
30
The Scorned Lover’s Game
“So how are you going to explain bringing Fletcher all the way here to California?” Jesse asked his brother. “Does he know about you guys?”
“You know, I haven’t really thought about that. I forgot we’re not in Seattle right now. It would’ve made a lot more sense if we were having dinner in Seattle.” Jesse made a really good point. Taylor clearly wasn’t thinking this through.
“Do you think that maybe we should…” Fletcher nervously looked at Taylor.
“Come out?” Jesse asked for him. “It’s called coming out.”
“Oh cause you’re some sort of gay expert now?” Taylor scoffed.
