August glanced at the ceiling, but they were nice and high, vaulted with fancy wooden beams. “For the most part, yes, but this place seems size appropriate.”
“Get the fuck down,” said Fraser, smacking Park on the arm like he was a misbehaving child, which wasn’t far off. “Leave Snow alone before—”
Jett didn’t have to finish his sentence because Killinger appeared beside him andplucked Park fromhis backlike he was picking an apple off a tree.
“Sorry ‘bout him,” Killinger said, smiling apologetically at August as he walked past, still carrying a squirming Park.
“Fraser! Tell your man—”
“It’s fucking Killinger,” Jett snapped, flipping the Ottawa player off. “Stop calling me Fraser, jackass.”
Oh shit. Had Fraser taken his husband’s last name? How many Killingers were there now?
“No need for last names around here,” said Robert, patting August on the arm like he was trying to console him. “I know you guys are weird about that stuff, but seriously, let’s all use first names and enjoy each other’s company.”
The thought of calling any guy who wasn’t on his team by their first namewasweird, but once Arlo Killinger showed up, things would get complicated.
“Come on,” said Niko, taking his hand again to lead him toward a hall. “Harrison added a second level to the house over the summer, so the guys have a place to stay until they get their homes built. Mine won’t be done until the end of next season, so you’ll be bunking with me here.”
August paused before the stairs, just so he could coordinate his feet properly before taking his first step. “You guys have property?”
“Yeah, Harrison sold us pieces of land around the lake so we can come during the off-season and hang out.” Niko brought them to a nicely decorated room with two beds. There was even a bathroom attached, so all the upstairs guests wouldn’t have to share one shower over the next few days.
“There’s a full-sized rink out back with a gym, so we have tons of privacy while we keep in shape,” Niko continued. “Harrison even hires security to keep nosy people out, and trainers to help us if we need them. I’ll have to remind him to offer you a plot, but until then, you can stay with me from this point on.”
August let go of Niko’s hand and rolled his suitcase over to the nearest bed. “Why?”
There was a pause.
“Why what?”
Sighing, August dropped onto the bed, taking a second to appreciate the fact that it was big enough to fit him. “Why are you offering to bring meagain? And why ask Harrison about plots of land for me?”
Niko hadn’t moved from the entrance of the room, so when he frowned and shut the door, trapping them inside, anxiety crept from August’s chest to his limbs.
“Dude, I’m trying to understand, but help me out,” said Niko. He kept his posture relaxed and non-confrontational, but August knew he hadupset him. “You’re very hot and cold with me. I can’t tell if you want to be friends, or if you want me to go away.”
Both. Neither.
Fuck, August didn’t know the answer himself.
“I know hanging out with a bunch of guys who are into other guys must be awkward for you, and if it is, that’s cool; you don’t have to come again. But something tells me youwantto be here, but you keep backtracking.”
“Ido.” August dropped his head into his hands so he didn’t have to see the disappointment in Niko’s eyes anymore. “I just don’t see the fucking point. It’s not like you’ll want to be my friend forever, especially if you get traded or meet someone new who shares your interests. And trust me, finding someone better than me isn’t hard.”
Footsteps approached, and August looked up, flinching when Niko dropped into a sitting position on the floor in front of him.
“Shit, man. I’m sensing some trauma here.” Niko wasn’t touching him; he was sitting casually, like they weren’t having the most awkward conversation in the history of mankind. “I’m going to say this because you need to hear it. Whoever taught you to think so little of yourself is an asshole. End of story.”
August should have stayed home. He would take the stalker over having conversations that involvedfeelingsany day.
“We’re friends,” said Niko. “I’ve decided, and you can’t make me change my mind.”
“And if you leave?” August said. “Long-distance anything is bullshit.”
“I won’t get traded.”
“You can’t promise that.”
