Page 58

“Yeah. A whiskey and soda, thanks.” Jed nodded to the bartender, who wasn’t paying a bit of attention to him. No, he was sending that flirty grin Remy’s way, and Remy was grinning right back.

“You were on a real hot streak before the break,” the bartender said as he filled up two glasses, pouring very slowly. Way more slowly than was strictly necessary, like he was taking his time so he could admire Remy longer. He put them down on the bar and then leaned in, eyes on Remy’s lips. “We’re lucky to have you here.”

Remy looked flustered, which was surprising. Montreal was such a huge hockey town, Jed would’ve thought he was used to adoring fans. Or maybe it was this particular fan, who was also tall and slender and had wavy hair pulled up in a topknot. Maybe Remy had a type, Jed thought, as he stuffed another bill in the glass on the bar to cover their drinks.

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Remy said. “It’s an awesome team. I’m happy to be here, too.”

Then Remy noticed what Jed was doing. “Hey, I was gonna get the drinks tonight.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Remy stared at him for a moment, and then nodded his thanks and downed his drink before putting the glass back on the bar.

“It’s not so bad out on the dance floor. Want to join for a bit?”

“Not my thing.”

Remy nodded, a disappointed look flashing across his face before he turned his eyes back to the dance floor. Jed took a sip of his drink and looked back at Moreau and McBride and Lily, who were now dancing as a trio. Had Remy been asking him to dance? He couldn’t trust himself to know what was going on with Remy at this point, that was for sure. The whiskey made his wishful thinking stronger.

“Okay, then,” Remy said, hesitating, like he was giving Jed a chance to change his mind. “I’m going to go back out there for a bit, if that’s alright. I promised Lily. And I want to keep an eye on Petey, too.”

It wasn’t alright, really. Jed didn’t want to watch Remy dance without him, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to dance with him. Jed wasn’t great at dancing to begin with, and he knew he couldn’t be out there without getting way too close to Remy.

“McBride’ll keep Moreau in line. Want another drink first?” Jed asked, and immediately wished he hadn’t. Because the one guy in Colorado who he had tried dating, back when he first moved, was striding up to the bar like he owned the place.

Which, for the record, he did. Jed had met him here a few years ago on another night out with the team, after Hal had told him he had twins on the way and Jed had been feeling particularly lonely.

Victor hadn’t changed much, because he stopped in front of Remy and Jed and looked Remy up and down without saying anything.

“Can we help you?” Remy asked, returning the favor. Thoroughly, Jed noted with a prickle of irritation.

Jed had to admit that Victor looked good. He was tall and toned, with well-groomed stubble. On the slender side, which Remy seemed to like. His silvery T-shirt, which looked expensive and silky and fit impeccably, showed off his shoulders and a delicate silver chain with a diamond pendant.

“I’m a friend of Jed’s. We’ve known each other for ages.”

Victor turned to Jed and cocked an eyebrow. Jed cocked an eyebrow back. There was no way in hell Jed was getting into the details.

“And as to whether you can help me—” Victor flashed a grin that showed off his even, white teeth. He always did that when he was picking up. Jed had learned that the hard way, even after falling for that same trick himself. “That depends on whether you’re a new friend of Jed’s. I know I haven’t seen you here before.”

That was enough. “Hey Victor, it’s been a while.” Jed was well aware that he had shifted closer to Remy and that Victor certainly noticed.

“It has. I haven’t heard from you in such a long time. Now I know why.” He grinned at Remy again, then leaned forward and fake-whispered, “He seems young, Jedediah.”

“He’s my teammate,” Jed said coolly. He could feel Remy tense a bit beside him as he realized exactly how Jed knew Victor. Jed shot him a quick glance. It was dark in the club, but there was enough light at the bar that he could tell Remy was flushing his signature rosy pink.

Victor noticed, too, and a smaller, more predatory smile played over his lips. Jed’s shoulders tightened, and his skin prickled. He wasn’t surprised Victor had turned his sights to Remy, but Jed was damned if Victor was going to take that a single step further.

“So what’s up?” Jed tried to sound unbothered. If he got possessive over Remy, it would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Victor wouldn’t be able to let it go.

“I saw you over here, realized we hadn’t talked in a while. What, don’t want to be seen with me tonight?” Victor casually leaned on the bar on Remy’s other side, close enough that his chest was practically brushing Remy’s arm. Remy sent a brief look Jed’s way, one that Jed thought might be a plea for help. Or maybe a plea for Jed to leave so he could have Victor to himself.

Fuck that.

“We were actually leaving.” Jed put a hand on Remy’s elbow.

“No worries.” Victor looked up at Remy from under his eyelashes and leaned in closer. “Lovely to meet you. Remy, right? I do watch hockey, whatever Jed might tell you later. I hope you enjoy your time here. I know how busy you are during hockey season—” And here Victor paused to give a knowing glance at Jed. “—but if you’d ever like to go out on a night off, Jed has my number.”

“Uh, thanks,” Remy said uncertainly, as Jed gripped harder and started pulling him away from the bar. “Like you said, though, I’m not around much during the season.”