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“Let’s not forget that you’re a superstar. You’re one of the faces of Rangers hockey and the other guy was just an outfielder with an inflated ego and a crappy disposition. I’m still just a teacher from upstate New York. Do you really think people are going to accept that?”

“We’re just two boys from Foster Grove who finally decided to give it a shot after years of dreaming about it. Who cares what people say? We’re the only ones who count. And if you say no—” Caleb’s chest rose and fell under Aaron—it didn’t sound like a sigh; it was a deep steadying breath. “If you ultimately decide no, I’ll try to accept that. But let me show you what I already know—we’d be amazing together.”

“Your enthusiasm’s is reassuring.” Aaron pressed closer to Caleb.

“Good.” He kissed the top of Aaron’s head again. “You know you’ve got the perfect defender, right?”

“Really?” Aaron had no idea.

“Pam. She’ll kick my ass if I hurt you.”

“Oh yeah.” Aaron laughed a little, which felt good. “That probably goes both ways.”

“True.”

Aaron pulled on Caleb’s shoulders, and he lowered himself so they ended up lying together. Without a word they wrapped themselves around each other and made out.

Chapter Eighteen

WHAT did you do?

The voice in Aaron’s head repeated that question over and over as soon as he left his apartment for work on Monday morning. He’d managed to stay in a cocoon with Caleb on Sunday. After Aaron unloaded his baggage, they’d spent the rest of the day exploring each other and eventually ordered dinner in. They stayed away from discussing anything that had to do with their future, which should’ve been their primary focus.

Then there was the sex.

The first round had been amazing, with the unexpected twist that he had fucked Caleb. When they got going for round two, Caleb took control, proving that he had grace and athletic prowess both on and off the ice. The way they connected, physically and emotionally, was unlike anything Aaron had ever experienced. Caleb had amazing technique. At one point, he had kept Aaron on edge for so long that when the two of them finally came together, it was like the world shattered into a million multicolored pieces before peacefully returning—whole, the two of them together.

Caleb stayed, and there was no denying that Aaron enjoyed waking up next to him. They even left at the same time—Caleb for his morning workout and Aaron for school. It felt so natural, as if they’d always done it and always would.

Aaron’s internal voice spoke up as soon as he was in the car alone. He’d really screwed up. His heart had betrayed his brain by discussing Tyson, which consequently brought him closer to Caleb.

Everything since their first dinner had been amazing. Reconnecting with Caleb. Discovering the attraction. He could be the one.

Aaron slammed his hand on his steering wheel as he sat at a red light. At what cost, though? This couldn’t end well. Caleb was going back to New York in two days. His rehab time in Foster Grove was just that. Despite anything Caleb might have said on how it—they—could work, nothing was decided.

Aaron thought he was pretty good at being alone. He’d dated on and off before Tyson and understood balancing schedules, especially across the vast expanse that was LA where any relationship could feel long-distance simply because of the time it could take driving anywhere. Then Tyson came along and nudged him slowly into a corner. Aaron had let that happen; he couldn’t allow that again. He was still working to get back to being okay. He trusted Caleb, but what feelings would be triggered while Caleb was traveling? It wasn’t just road games that would keep Caleb away, though. They didn’t even live in the same city.

As he pulled into the school parking lot, he struggled to stuff those feelings into a box because he couldn’t fixate on any of this during the day. He had students to teach and some parents to meet with in the afternoon—meetings he should’ve prepped for yesterday but hadn’t. That would have to get done during lunch.

Pam leaned against her car with a coffee in her hand and another on the hood.

She was early.

Despite starting the morning with Caleb, Aaron had arrived at school at his usual time, and it looked like she was going to take advantage of that.

“Shit,” Aaron whispered, even though he was alone in the car. This would be about the picture. He’d had a dozen missed calls and texts from her yesterday. Caleb and Aaron had turned off their phones so they wouldn’t hear the new notifications while they were together. In hindsight it was foolish, a childish attempt to keep the real world at bay.

He steeled himself, then grabbed his messenger bag from the passenger seat and got out of the car. “Good morning,” he said, trying desperately to sound normal as he walked over to Pam, who didn’t move.

“Is it? I talked to Caleb yesterday about the picture, and he said he was going to see you. After that I couldn’t get in touch with either one of you. The only reason I didn’t crash your door down is because Caleb’s car was parked in front of your apartment when I came over.” She handed over the coffee. “Care to explain?”

He took the coffee, the to-go cup warm in his hand. “I don’t even know where to start.” They turned toward the school, which was still quiet, as students weren’t expected to arrive and start the day for another thirty minutes.

“Let’s begin with this: Are you okay?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know. It wasn’t supposed to go this far.”

“Please tell me you guys talked.” They walked up the front steps and through the main doors of the school as they chatted.