“You really like him, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do.” Luke smiles fondly. “It’s easy with us. We haven’t technically spent a lot of time together, but between texts and phone calls, I’ve gotten to know a lot about him. He’s funny and witty. He’s sexy as hell, even though he doesn’t try to be. We like the same foods and movies, even sports. I mean, how many gay guys like hockey—besides you, of course?”
He’s been around plenty of gay men, at least since we’ve been friends, and is still clueless sometimes. “Uh, Luke, have you actually seen how hot hockey players are? Trust me, plenty of us watch hockey, especially the warmups.”
“Yeah, I guess some of them are kind of good-looking.”
Unbelievably, Luke is head-over-heels for someone—a guy, no less. This is like seeing a unicorn. “Yep, you got it bad.” I slap my friend on his shoulder and walk away.
“Hey,” Luke calls after me. “Do you think you can stick around for the servers’ training sessions with Jessica on Saturday? I want to take the day off.”
Even if I didn’t want him to spend time building his relationship with Kaden, I could never say no to Luke. “Of course. Have a good time, buddy.”
“Luke, you busy? We need some—” I go into the main dining area, and Luke is no longer at the bar where I left him.
I head straight back to our office, knowing it’s the only place he could’ve gone. He wouldn’t have left without telling me. When I jiggle the door handle, it’s locked. He never locks the door,which leads me to believe he needed some private time. That’s not happening.
“Hey asshole, open up.”
“One sec.” I can hear him scrambling behind the door. Fucker was tugging his dick in there. I bang on the door harder this time.
“Geez I’m coming. What’s your deal, man?” Luke swings the door open with flushed cheeks and disheveled clothes.
I grin at his current state of annoyance and give him a once-over. Is that cum on his shirt?
“I guess the dick pic worked, huh?” I can’t help but laugh at him—until my eyes catch his phone on the desk behind him. Kaden has his hand wrapped around his cock in the video, frozen on the play screen. Damn, that’s hot.
Luke tracks me staring behind him.
“Shit.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Luke move so fast as when he scrambles to his desk.
“Video, even better. You might want to take the time to remove your shirt next time, though.” I point at his shirt before he starts pushing me out the door.
“Fuck you, asshole. Out!”
I’ve had my fun, so I obliged, walking away but not bothering to hold back my laughter. Unfortunately, now when I meet Kaden, I’ll always be picturing his cock in his hand. Albeit a pretty cock from what I could see, I’ll still have to turn my filter on, or my best friend may kick my ass for stepping out of line with his guy. Monday night should be interesting. I’ll just have to keep myself busy hanging with Dakota or Kaden’s friends.
When I get back to the kitchen, Rachelle has already completed the first food order for the opening week with Lance, our executive chef.
“Lance left without saying goodbye. I’m going to fire his ass next time he does that shit.” I can’t even pretend to be serious asRachelle begins laughing at my irrational remark, and I end up joining her.
“You know damn well you wouldn’t fire that man. He’s too good at what he does.”
She’s not wrong. Rachelle has turned into our mother hen around here. We couldn’t have chosen a better person to help manage the staff. Between her and Jessica, Luke and I were able to get a lot more work done than we thought we’d be able to at this stage.
“Hey, you okay here? Alright if I leave? I don’t need Saturday off anymore.”
Luke’s sudden change of plans tonight makes me so happy I can’t help but grin ear-to-ear. “Yes. Go spend time with your guy. Have some kind of personal life for once.”
When he leaves with only a nod and a wave, I know he’s in a good place. He usually argues with me when I say anything about his personal life. I guess it’s like they say—you’ll meet someone when you least expect it, and at the right place and time. Patiently waiting is the hardest part.
Chapter Three
A Guy’s Hockey Team Can Be His One Flaw
Ender
“Connor, let’s go. You’re going to make us late!” This man takes longer to get ready than anyone I’ve ever met—including Lanie, who starts getting ready an hour before she goes to the grocery store. I feel sorry for Jackson on nights like tonight when you can expect a three-hour delay from her. I can only imagine the time crunch he’s been in today, trying to get her to The Garden for her birthday get-together.
