First, it was the leftovers from Thanksgiving. The next day, there was a coffee sitting on my bedside table, with a note saying ‘hope this helps wake you up.’
Then the other day, I found all my clothes cleaned and folded nicely on my bed, with a note that said he was doing his laundry and thought he’d do mine while he was at it.
Today I had to pause when I walked into our room after class to find that the purple bed set I was using from Taylor was gone, replaced with a navy blue one. On top of the new pillow is another note.
Thought you could use an early Christmas gift. I hate purple, and that thing was an eyesore. Thank me later. I remember navy blue was your favorite color. Sorry if it’s changed. I can exchange it if you hate it. -B
My breathing picks up, and my head begins to lighten. I need to find Bennett and see what the fuck is going on.
He’s being nice. Why?
He’s buying me things. Why?
Every little thing he’s doing is making me feel things I don’t want to feel, and I hate how thoughtful they are.
I need to see him. I fucking miss him.
How have I gone from years of being without him, living my own life just fine, to being unable to stop thinking about him, even craving him, needing him near. Because when he’s not, I feel like I’m going out of my mind?
Dropping my bag, I pull out my phone to text Taylor.
Me: Can you ask Aria where Bennett is?
Taylor: Sure. She’s with me. But why?
Me: Need to see him. He got me a new bed set. Like, what the fuck?
Taylor: I know lol he returned my purple one.
He did?
Taylor: Aria said he’s at the rink getting some extra practice in with his dad.
Hockey rink it is.
The walk there isn’t long. I’m hit with an unexpected wave of nerves as I enter the building. Why am I so damn nervous? This is Bennett. Normally, the sight of him makes me want to strangle him.Or kiss him.
But butterflies? Nerves? Yeah, no, this is new, and I don’t like it.
Cold air hits me as I open the interior door to access the rink. I can hear Jax shouting something alongside the sounds of skate blades gliding against the ice.
I do my best to stay in the shadows of the arena tunnel to avoid being spotted before I’m ready.
Bennett is doing some kind of drill that has him skating back and forth on the ice. I stand there, kind of mesmerized. He’s fast, and the way he stops so quickly before turning around and racing back is impressive.
He repeats this a few times before Jax calls him over. Bennett removes his helmet, his chest heaving as sweat drips down his face.
The sight packs a punch of arousal that makes my cock twitch with unexpected force. He’s hot. So. Fucking. Hot. And now that I've stopped hating myself for thinking he’s attractive, it’s all I can see.
The stubble on his jaw, the way his brow furrows as he listens to his dad’s advice, nodding with determination, the sweaty hair plastered to his forehead. Every little thing in this moment makes me want to get back down on my knees and worship his incredible body.
Oh, how the tables have turned. I’m totally fucked for this man, and I have no idea what to do about it.
His dad dismisses him from practice, and I panic. Fuck! I’m standing right where he’s headed. Do I run? Do I stay?
I don’t get a chance to decide before Bennett steps off the ice.
“Easton?” He looks at me with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
