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Caleb needed to let go.

But he liked the warm feel of Aaron’s body underneath that dress shirt.

What was happening?

A moment later Aaron began to pull back.

As Caleb stepped away, without thinking, he turned his head a fraction of an inch and brushed his lips across Aaron’s cheek.

Caleb immediately jumped back, his face burning hot with embarrassment. “So yeah, thanks… for the tutoring, I mean,” he blurted out. “You really helped me a lot.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could.” Aaron smiled, his eyes warm and kind. He absently pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. If he felt any of the awkwardness Caleb did, he didn’t let on.

There was a loud knock. Caleb glanced over his shoulder as Pam opened the door and poked her head in. “Come on, Aaron. We need to get going.” She disappeared down the hall, leaving his door open.

“Be right there.” With the little trophy in hand, Aaron turned to leave but paused briefly in the doorway.

Caleb’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited expectantly for Aaron to do something, say anything. The moment stretched out for what felt like an eternity. It had taken every ounce of courage Caleb had to give Aaron that trophy. If he gave the gift back, Caleb knew he would literally die of embarrassment.

“Thank you, Caleb,” he finally said. “I’ll see you later.”

Caleb stood by himself and listened to Aaron’s footsteps as he returned downstairs to join Pam and take her to the after-hours Grad Night party.

Caleb unconsciously brought his fingertips to his lips. Had he really just done that? Had his lips actually touched the skin of another guy?

Caleb had kissed Aaron Price.

He’d never been so happy in his life.

Chapter One

SOME things never changed.

Caleb drove his luxury SUV down the familiar streets of Foster Grove on his way to grab breakfast.

“Gotta love small towns.”

He’d arrived at his parents’ house late last night, just before midnight, after a three-hour drive from New York City, where he’d run out of patience with the sports media shadowing his every move, asking when he’d be back on the ice. The team doctor had already provided them the date he was expected back from his broken foot, but the media seemed to think something magical would make it earlier.

Six weeks ago, all it had taken was a fast slap shot to the inside of his left foot. It’d felt like he didn’t even have a skate on as the puck slammed into him, sending searing pain up his leg.

He still didn’t know how he’d kept from falling over. He’d managed to keep his wits about him, maintain control of the puck, and clear it out of his team’s defensive zone to send the Rangers on a breakaway. Afterward he’d made the slowest trip to the bench he’d ever taken because any weight on the foot was excruciating.

Now the cast was off and it was time to get out of town.

His phone rang, and Caleb clicked the button on the steering wheel to answer. He smiled when he saw the name on the dashboard display.

“Big sis!”

“Little brother!” Pam shouted. “I’m guessing I didn’t wake you.”

“Nope. I’ve been awake for a while. And, before you ask, I’ve already done today’s rehab exercises and my foot’s doing fine.”

“Good to know.”

“I’m headed to Paxson’s right now. Care to join me?”

“You’ve gotta meet me at this new place. I’m already on my way there. FG Café . It’s on Fernwood and Main.”