CHAPTER 9
Paxon
I’m just pullingmy coat on when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I grab it, hoping I’m going to see my brother.
Boone: Awesome game tonight. Tell Landham too.
Me: Come to Chirps and have a beer with us.
Boone: Already home.
I screw up my face.
Me: Why?
Boone: Got the shits, okay? Can’t eat all this crap anymore.
The niggling feeling that he’s hiding something rears its head again.
Me: You would tell me if you weren’t okay, right? Promise youwould tell me.
Boone: Jesus Christ, P. How many times do we have to have this conversation? I know I’m a fuckup but at some point you just have to believe me.
Me: You’re not a fuckup. You’re my brother and I care.
Boone: Yeah, whatever.
I frown, pocketing my phone again. I should let him go. I should learn how to let Boone make his own choices, but he’s the last person I have in this world. I don’t know if I can handle losing him too.
“Ready, man?” Hen asks, nudging my arm.
“Yep.”
I’m in a pissy mood now, but a few drinks with the guys will help. Wouldn’t hurt if my sexy ginger mystery man showed up again too. I could definitely stand to blow my load right about now.
Me and the guys cross the street, bracing against the freezing wind. I can’t wait for spring. Hopefully this year we’ll be busy in the playoffs.
It’s even busier than usual when we walk into Chirps, and I find myself scanning the space for Wraith. I spot him near the bar where he usually is. Our eyes meet and he nods slightly in acknowledgment. I nod back before turning my attention to my teammates.
Before long, we’ve got pitchers of beer and plenty of shots, but I can’t relax. It’s like there’s an electric current flowing up and down my spine, drawing my gaze back to Wraith. He’s always looking at me, his eyes heated and sexy, even as he nods and engages with the man next to him. He’s different from the last guy, and I have to admit I’m curious. Are they just friends of Wraith’s or is this guy something more than the last one he camewith? That would be weird, but maybe he’s into weird shit. How could I find out?
“Bouche!” Greene claps my shoulder, handing me a shot of tequila. “You killed it tonight.”
“Thanks, man. You played great too.”
He hands me a lime wedge, bouncing his eyebrows. “Let’s do this.”
I nod, bracing myself for the burn of the alcohol as I slam the shot back then suck on the lime. Jesus. That has to be my limit for tonight. I can’t handle my booze like the young guys can anymore.
An hour passes, and as I try to engage with my boys, drinking beers and laughing, I never lose the connection to Wraith. I feel his eyes on me, almost like an invisible rope wrapped around me, tethering me to him.
I want him.
God, I want him.
I want to fuck him, and that’s not something I can do in the parking lot of the arena. Would he meet me somewhere more private? But where? My place sounds like a stupid idea. His place? No. This is why I prefer travel hookups. A hotel room is always better.
Slowly, I turn to face him. He’s talking to his friend, but his eyes fix on me quickly, and he licks his fucking lips. Fuck. Yeah, I need him.
