Kingston quietly observed the height difference between Allen and the three of them and concluded that that would be a very bad idea. It would be unfair to expect Allen to keep up with them, even if he could skate.
“Oh!” Evans jumped to his feet and pointed a finger at Allen’s head. “That’s actually perfect. I want to see you play so bad, even if I know you’ll be rusty.”
Rusty? Kingston didn’t know what the hell Evans was implying, unless Allencouldplay hockey.
“Are you kidding me?” Allen snapped, and it was becoming increasingly obvious that Kingston was the only one interestedin finishing his food. “I haven’t played inyears. Do you know how old I am?”
Twenty at the most? Maybe as old as Evans, but nowhere near twenty-five.
“It’s like riding a horse,” said Evans, grinning. “Even for a thirty-year-old man.”
Kingston inhaled a spaghetti noodle up his nose.
He was so busy sputtering and trying to get it out that he almost missed Allen’s response of, “Fuck you, I’m never playing hockey again.”
Kingston snuffled and reluctantly put his plate down so he could join in on the conversation. “What’s your last name, pipsqueak?” he asked, taking out his phone.
Looking Allen up online was the easiest way to satisfy his curiosity and get to the bottom of what the fuck he was dealing with right now.
“Monroe,” Jake said, since Allen was too busy bickering with Evans to answer him.
It took no time at all to find everything he needed, including an article that talked about Allen’s sister, April Monroe. That alone was shocking enough, but then he found Allen’s career stats he had set in junior hockey and Christ, he wasn’t bad—he wasn’t fucking bad at all.
Given enough time and hard work, Allen could have gone pro, judging by the points he put up, which was mind-blowing to him. It wasn’t that Kingston didn’t think someone as pretty and small as Allen could do that, because Su-jin Park proved it was possible, but it was just…surprising.
He knew Allen likely had his reasons, but the amount of talent he had thrown out the window when he quit wasdepressing.
“Please, Ally?” Evans whined, sounding like the simp Kingston knew he was. “I want to play with you. It will be so much fun.”
Allen huffed and tipped toward Kingston, bumping against his side. “I’ve gained weight and have creaky joints, sono. Can’t we just snuggle in bed and watch a movie?”
Jake swept his gaze over the sectional and the people sitting on it. “All four of us?”
Kingston didn’t know why he was being included in all these plans, but he didn’t care as much as he thought he would.
“Why not?” Allen pushed closer to Kingston, as if he were trying to create space between himself and his boyfriend. “The bed is big enough, and you said that this was a bonding experiment.”
Evans took one look at how cozied up Allen was and glowered like a jealous boyfriend. “Bonding for hockey chemistry, not boyfriend chemistry.”
Kingston smirked, knowing Evans had been caught in a trap. “I thought you told me they weren’t your boyfriends?”
Evans deflated, and Allen gave Kingston one warning tap to stop him from going in for the kill. And like a good little boy, Kingstonstopped.
No. This was too weird for him.
It was too warm. There were too many things happening, and Kingston was getting overwhelmed.
“Thanks for the food,” he said, gently pushing Allen away from him so he could stand. “I forgot I have to do something back at the apartment, but if you guys do have that game, send me a text.”
Allen stood too, but Kingston already had his plate in hand and was hurrying to the kitchen to avoid him. He disposed of the rest of his food and rinsed his plate off like a proper guest, andthen he was at the front door, putting on his boots and grabbing his coat.
“Your hoodie—” Allen began, holding it out for Kingston to take.
“Keep it,” said Kingston. “Add it to your hamster nest.”
It was an awkward joke to make as he was fleeing out the door, but it was the best he had right now. Kingston didn’t look back as he left the penthouse and strode down the long hall to the elevator.
He couldn’t explain why he was running, only that he needed to leave before he…
