Page 18 of From Coast to Coast
“True,” I agree, thinking of the few times I’ve met Ryan Todrick, our GM. No nonsense and unafraid to make changes—there is a reason Calgary was historically ranked as one of the top teams in the league. Anything less would have him breathing down the coaching staff’s necks and ready to make cuts. I relax a little into my seat. “You’re right.”
“So, let’s fuck shit up at practice, you and me. You’re going to have a record season.” He holds his fist outfor me to tap my knuckles against.
“We,” I correct, bumping my fist against his. “We’re going to have a record season.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Remy
Graysonand I get off the plane together and head toward his SUV. After our conversation earlier, we’d tried to get a little shut-eye even though neither of us was particularly tired. At one point, Grayson had checked his phone for messages and seemed disappointed when there weren’t any. It made me think of Brody, and how I hadn’t been able to check for messages yet. I wait until I’m seated in Grayson’s passenger seat and he’s pulling onto the highway before I check it, screen angled away from him in case he looks over.
It’s not that I’m ashamed about having the app or being open to experimenting. But I feel weird, unable to share this part of me just yet. I also don’t want to offend him, knowing how much trouble he’s had with the team since he came out of the closet. He might not appreciate somebody flippantly experimenting with something he’s struggled with.
There isn’t a message from Brody waiting, so I send him one. Nothing special, just a hey to let him know that I’mthinking about him and his massive dick. I’m still unsure of how exactly that picture made me feel. On the one hand, there was the general impressiveness of seeing exactly how big a 6’7” guy’s dick is. On the other hand, I tried to look at the picture in the way a sexual partner might look at it. I tried to imagine the feel of his skin and the weight of him in my palm. I tried to imagine how it would feel to put my mouth on him and what his cum would taste like.
It worked. The visual had been enough to get me hard and keep me there as I jacked off. The last thing I thought of before coming was to wonder what Brody’s face looks like. His body is great—obviously—and certainly sheds some light on whether I’m as straight as I thought I was, but faceless photos aren’t going to get me off forever. I want to hear the timbre of his voice and see what color eyes he has. Judging by the dark hair on his chest and pelvis, I’m picturing him brunette with dark lashes framing equally dark eyes.
Yeah, definitely not as straight as I thought I was.
I check the app again, but still no response from Brody. Grayson glances over at me when I sigh.
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah.” Fiddling with my phone, I twist the words around in my mind to try and find a way to tell him the truth without telling him all of the truth. “I’ve been chatting with someone on a dating app. Nothing crazy, but I like talking to them. Haven’t heard from them today, so, you know, feeling a little needy.”
He laughs. “I know the feeling.”
“Yeah?” I turn toward him, interested. “You’re dating someone? I didn’t realize.”
Grayson is, quite honestly, the easiest person to livewith. He’s so quiet that sometimes I wonder if he’s trying to lessen his presence in his own house, as though he needs to work around me and my needs instead of the other way around. He doesn’t ever have company and, as far as I can tell, doesn’t leave to go elsewhere. I’m going to feel like a real ass if I find out he’s dating someone, but hasn’t brought them around because I’m rooming with him.
“Oh,” he says, laughing quietly, “no, not really. Maybe though, someday. It’s early, yet.”
“Same,” I tell him. “I’ve been out of the dating game for a long fucking time.”
“Same,” he agrees, glancing over and sharing a smile with me. “You do the dating app thing before?”
“No. I’m more of a go-to-the-bar-and-find-somebody kind of guy. But it’s working out well for me so far—we seem to connect really well, and they don’t give off any crazy vibes.”
“Important,” he says gravely. “Does that mean you’ve got plans tomorrow?”
“Other than messaging my casual dating app acquaintance?” He nods, grinning as he signals a right turn at the next light. “No, nothing planned.”
“Well, after morning skate, how do you feel about hanging out? I’ll take you around, show you the sights.”
“You want to play tourist with me for a day?” I can’t keep the excitement from coloring my tone. Grayson notices, smiling wider and reaching up to scratch idly at his scruffy jaw.
“Yeah, if you’re up to it.”
“Oh, I’m up to it. Thank you—I’m excited.”
“Sure, no problem,” he answers gruffly. “I figure we can grab something to eat after practice and go from there.Is there anything you want to see? I know you didn’t get much of a heads-up before you had to report here, but if there’s anything you’re dying to do, let me know.”
“Honestly, I hadn’t even thought about it. My knowledge of Canada is hockey and, you know, winter.”
“Say no more,” he says, lifting a hand off of the steering wheel. “I’ve got you covered.”
True to his word, the next day we finish practice and immediately head into town to grab an early lunch. We’re both dressed casually—Grayson sporting a pair of grey sweatpants and Calgary ball cap—so whatever he has planned probably doesn’t require us to be dressed up. The waitress who serves us at the café raises her eyebrows at the sheer amount of food we request, but doesn’t say anything as she goes to put in the order. Across the table from me, Grayson has taken his hat off and set it to the side, running his fingers through his dark hair.