He looks at me, holding my gaze for a moment longer than necessary. Then, a smirk blooms across his face.
“That could be fun.”
Back at my place,I change into more comfortable clothes. Jamie was swinging by his place quickly to change and grab a few things, then heading back here. I do a quick pass-through of the apartment, clearing mail off of the dining room table I’ve never used.
After ten minutes, I hear a knock at the door, opening it to find Sutter, Matthews, and Mac standing behind Jamie. I can see the curiosity in their eyes, glancing into my apartment.
Damn. I was hoping Jamie would show up early enough that we could make out for a bit before the guys showed up. I guess I could give him a kiss right here, but I was hoping to ease them in a little more than that.
I decide to start small. I notice the duffel bag at Jamie’s side, hiding as far from Sutter as he can get it.
“Hey, let me grab that for you.” I take the duffel from his shoulder, then show the guys into the apartment. As we walk through to the living room, I point out the kitchen, the bathroom, the hallway to the bedrooms.
“Let me put this down and grab you guys something to drink.” As I turn to the bedroom, I see Sutter’s eyebrow raise. Matthews, on the other hand, is focused on the view out the window. Jamie is bright pink, which is frankly giving more away than I have.
On my way back from putting the duffel in my bedroom, I stop by the kitchen. I send a quick text to Alexei, warning him that the rest of the guys don’t know yet, and grab a handful of beers from the fridge.
When I get back to the living room, they’re trading stories about the All Star Break. Sutter stayed here, spending time with his sister who’s a senior at St. Olaf. Matty was here for a few days then went down to Des Moines to watch the AHL team and root for his former teammates.
Jamie asks about Finn, who he’d spent a good amount of time with during the preseason. Apparently he’s been tearing up the ice in Des Moines and should be headed our way in another year or two.
“Yo, Ethan, how far is it to Des Moines? Could we go down for a game sometime?”
I’m surprised that he’s one-upping my duffel bag move, but then I realize – it’s not an act, he just wants to go.
“It’s not a bad drive, but there are like four flights a day. We can definitely make that work.”
He smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back. If the road trip request didn’t catch Sutter and Matty’s attention, theydefinitelyclock the soft look on my face.
The doorbell rings, and I head over to let Alexei in. He’s carrying several bags, and I don’t think anyone with a shorter wingspan could manage it. I take three of the bags and help him to the dining room.
“Ethan! You have dining room? Why didn’t you tell me!”
The boys are laughing at that.
“I didn’t want you to feel threatened. I know how much you like hosting us.”
He laughs, smacking me on the back. We dig into the food, grabbing kebabs and grain bowls. He’s ordered at least five full ordersof hummus, so we each grab one of those as well. The food is delicious, full of bright flavors. The conversation is warm, and I’m amazed to think I get to sit here with these guys, all of whom know I’m gay, and just…not think about it.
Mac is stationed at the end of the table, while next to me, Jamie is laughing as Matty tells a story about taking the boys out for drinks after the game. Without even thinking about it, I toss an arm across the back of his chair, letting a single finger trace his shoulder.
As Matty finishes the story, Sutter turns his eyes to me.
“We’re all friends here, right Cap?”
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“I hope so.”
He seems to consider this for a moment.
“Are you two…”
The sentence drifts off. I wonder if he’s afraid to speak it into existence, or worried about assuming that the two gay men he plays withmustbe together. I decide to fuck with him either way.
With a smirk, I respond, “Friends?”
Jamie picks where I leave off.
