Chapter Nineteen
Eliot still didn’t know much about hockey, despite Danny’s multiple, patient attempts to gently educate him. He had no framework for understanding how organized sport worked, and he’d come to a point where he’d decided that was okay.
One thing hehadlearned, all by himself, was that it was kinda hot.
Despite the baggy outfits and the padding, there was something that appealed to his deepest, most primal instincts when he saw grown men ramming into each other at full-tilt.
Besides, he liked seeing Danny smile, and the grin on his face when he’d scored had been amazing. Whatever else was going on between them, Eliot could accept that if he wanted Danny, hockey came along with the package.
It was a shame it wouldn’t be for long. He’d enjoyed watching a whole crowd of people cheer for his boyfriend.
Well. Were they boyfriends?
That was definitely what Eliot was supposed to be, contractually. He wasn’t sure where they stood with each other right now, but he also wasn’t in a rush to find out. Things were good, and he didn’t want to upset them by seeming clingy or pushy.
He remembered what Danny had said about relationships. The last thing Eliot wanted right now was to make him uncomfortable.
While he waited for Danny down the hall from the locker rooms—Danny had made sure he had a pass, this time—Walter approached him, holding out an envelope.
Eliot didn’t want the money now that they were sleeping together, but he also didn’t want to get into an argument about it with Walter. He didn’t want Walter to know that there was more than business going on between them. He took the envelope, looking around to make sure no one was paying attention before pocketing it. Danny could have it back later.
The whole thing suddenly made him uncomfortable.
“Could that have been any more public?” Eliot asked. It was true that there were only a few people hanging around, but still. Anyone could have seen, and any of them could have gotten suspicious enough to dig.
That was probably Eliot’s paranoia talking.
All the same, being paranoid didn’t mean no one was out to get you.
“Don’t worry yourself,” Walter said, waving away Eliot’s concern. “Thought you oughta know you’re good for business. I’m weighing up some very promising offers for Danny right now.”
“Shouldn’t Danny be weighing up his own offers?” Eliot asked. It seemed strange for him not to know about them—and he definitely didn’t, because he would have mentioned them to Eliot.
“He doesn’t like to worry about that kind of thing. That’s what my cut’s for.” Walter smiled.
It wasn’t a kind smile. It reminded Eliot of an alligator.
Before Eliot could respond, a freshly-showered Danny appeared in his usual t-shirt and sweatpants. The sight of him made Eliot smile, despite his discomfort from a moment earlier.
“Hey,” Danny moved to stand close to Eliot, nodding to Walter. Eliot took a deep breath, basking Danny’s warmth.
As much as he hated to admit it, Danny made him feel safe.
“I was just telling Eliot about some exciting offers you’re getting, thanks to him,” Walter said. “I’ll send the details through to you.”
“Awesome.” Danny grinned. “Thanks, man.”
“No problem. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it,” Walter said, winking dramatically before he turned to walk away.
It seemed odd that Walter had said Danny didn’t like to deal with that kind of thing one moment, then turned around and told Danny he’d give him the details the next. Now didn’t seem like the time to argue, though. Danny was bound to be tired, and there was probably stuff Eliot didn’t know.
Whatever Eliot thought of Walter, Danny trusted him. Danny had also known him a lot longer, and it wasn’t as though he was an idiot. A little naive sometimes, maybe, but that was one of the things Eliot liked about him. He was basically a giant puppy.
Brushing his worries aside, Eliot turned to Danny and smiled at him.
“You did great out there,” Eliot said. “Or at least, I think you did. It looked good.”
“Thanks.” Danny blushed. He was adorable when he blushed, and Eliot couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion toward him.
