Page 26 of Full Body Hit, Part 1

There was a bit of a longer pause this time. Chase hoped he hadn’t overstepped, but an answer came through.

Aunix

Also suggested by a friend actually

But I’m here because I’m looking for something more than a hookup

But without the pressure of face to face

Charlie

Yeah that sounds nice

Aunix

What are YOU looking for?

Now it was Chase’s turn to pause. What the hell was he searching for? An Alpha? Someone to coddle him? Someone to accept him for who he was?

Something real?

It was too embarrassing to admit.

Charlie

Not sure

Aunix

Well I cant answer that for you, kid

Hit me up when you figure out the answer

Chase frowned at the dismissal. Condescending ass. And what was with the ‘kid’ thing? He checked the guy’s profile. Oh. He was like seventeen years older than Chase.

A shiver of heat went through him. He’d always been attracted to older guys. Well, to one specific older guy, but he could extrapolate.

He swiped out of the app with a groan. The guy was right. What the hell was he doing if he couldn’t even ask for what he wanted?

Chapter Four

CHASE

Chase peered at the end of the tunnel, where the light reflecting off the ice was leaking through. The roar of the crowd could be heard above, the rush of the arena’s blood. The typical Spirits’ jazzy intro interspersed with ghost sounds echoed like a heartbeat, making Chase pulse.

It was his first real NHL game. Everything he’d worked for had been leading to this.

Chase’s jaw ached from clenching it, every muscle tensed in anticipation.

This was it. He’d had his rookie lap during warmups, the crowd calling out for him, welcoming him to the world of the New Orleans Spirits. He was part of the family, now—at least, until they sent him down again.

A booming voice announced each player. Chase could barely swallow, throat closed up, his head thrumming and filled with static.

“Okay, you’re up next,” a tech assistant said, and then there was his name called by the announcer, drawn out in celebration.

“And debuting in his first NHL game, Chase Spalding.”

Chase jumped onto the ice as green and blue and orange spotlights ran across the surface like phantoms, a bright white light focused on him.