The real test would come with switching partners whenever they got to that point, but even if they had to live as two separate couples who did everything else but fuck, he would be okay with that too. They would make it work.
A tap on the glass made him jump, and Allen looked up into Kingston’s cornflower blue eyes, already knowing that a teasing comment was about to be made.
“Monroe, blow me a kiss or something. You look like you’re thinking too hard.”
None of the other Citadel players besides Riley were paying them any attention, but Allen knew there were cameras around every corner, and someone was bound to notice one of the players being flirted with through the glass.
“Me first, Ally!” Riley shouted, sprinting across the ice and cutting to a stop that had him smacking against the glass. He whipped his helmet off and turned his cheek, like he was expecting Allen to start making out with the glass like they were in some corny teen romance.
“Aren’t you supposed to be paying attention to your coach?” Allen hissed, pushing up off his seat so he could indeed press himself against the glass. He was hoping to hide behind Riley and Kingston’s bulk to avoid being spotted as he blew each man a kiss and then flipped them off, but the two puckheads were making so much noise they were bound to draw attention anyway.
Jake made exactlynoeffort to hide his actions as he also blew a kiss at each of them, shrugging when Allen kicked his shoe.
“Sloan! Evans! You’re up!” The coach hollered, waving at Riley and Kingston like a parent trying to call her children off the monkey bars. “You’re running formations with Carr! Get your asses over here!”
Allen shooed them away when the two idiots paused to wave goodbye and sat down the second they were gone to keep fromdrawing any more attention. He ignored Jake’s chuckling and picked up the book that he was never going to read, determined to look busy so Kingston wouldn’t catch himthinking too hardagain and stop by to pester.
“Looks fun,” Jake said, speaking so softly that Allen barely caught his words over the crack of pucks hitting the boards.
Allen lifted his gaze to the ice, watching Riley skate. He moved with the confidence of a professional player who had finally settled into his role, firing pucks with effortless precision and reading the play before it unfolded.
But Allen knew he could be even better.
Not because Riley was lacking anything, but because Allen had seen what happened when Jake was the one centering for him. He’d watched the two of them move across the ice like they shared a single mind, anticipating each other’s decisions before they were made. Compared to that, whoever Carr was, felt like a placeholder.
Jake loved hockey—hebreathedit, and yet he was forced to put on a suit and attend meetings that he didn’t care about. He was forced to memorize trends and numbers he didn’t care about. He was forced to do something he had no passion for, and that had to feel like a goddamn cage.
“Good morning, gentlemen.”
Allen thought that speaking of the devil was the only way to catch his attention, but apparently, thinking of the devil worked just as well.
Everett Valero approached them with the casual grace of a lion, looking regal with his handsome features and dressed sharply in his tailored suit. Allen knew the smile he wore was genuine, but it didn’t make him any less frustrated with the man.
“They look good, right?” Mr. Valero asked, letting out a sigh as he took the seat beside Jake. “Sully is whipping the team intoshape, and I know we won’t be ready to make a cup run for a couple of years, but they’re a promising group.”
Jake nodded, not once taking his eyes off the ice—off Riley and Kingston.
Allen’s throat tightened as a surge of anger, frustration and sadness rose inside him. Everett was lucky they weren’t on the ice, and Allen didn’t have a stick in his hands because he wouldn’t be above taking a cheap shot to the back of the man’s knees.
“I’m hoping whatever GM we bring in will be able to procure more prospects,” Everett continued, unaware of Jake’s stoic silence and Allen’s rising temper. “But enough about that, how have you boys been? I saw you from the sky box and decided to stop by since you haven’t visited since Christmas.”
“You see me during meetings,” Jake countered. “Those meetings take place on the same floor of my penthouse. Feel free to visit any time if you want to see Allen and Riley.”
Everett chortled and relaxed into his seat, making himself comfortable despite the tense atmosphere. “I suppose I can keep Allen company while you’re running meetings and Riley’s playing at away games. It’ll be a good opportunity to get to know my son’s boyfriend.”
“I’ll be working,” Allen reminded him. “I keep myself busy when Jake’s working.”
It was a lie, but Everett didn’t have to know that. Jake had insisted on Allen only working now and then since they didn’t need the money, and he was happy to provide whatever was needed to convince him of that.
Allen had no shame about being a kept man, but he refused to entertain the head of the Valero family just for the hell of it.
“Well, if you change your mind, Allen, I’m only a phone call away.”
Allen nodded and took Jake’s hand, squeezing it until Jake mirrored the action. “Thanks, Mr. Valero. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Everett allowed the conversation to die, but his silence wasn’t enough to stop the thoughts from churning inside Allen’s head. He knew Everett’s control over Jake bothered him, but he couldn’t think of any way to fix it.
That frustration stayed with him through the rest of practice, through Jake’s goodbye to his father, and all the way to the car. It followed him to the hardware store, rode home with him, and continued to simmer beneath the surface long after they arrived.
