Chapter Twenty-One

“Put a movie on, Scott.”

Scott froze midway between the door and the sofa where Zach had stretched out. Scott’s hands were curled under the bottom of his T-shirt. He’d been all ready to strip and get on his knees—Zach’s team had won after all. Apparently, Zach wasn’t ready for his prize.

“Sure. Umm . . .” Scott went to the hutch where Zach kept all his movies, then glanced over his shoulder. “Got anything in mind?”

“I thought you wanted to watch some zombie movies?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Scott studied Zach. “But I lost.”

“That you did.” Zach’s lips twitched with amusement. “Pick a movie.”

All the movies Scott wanted to watch were on Netflix, so he closed the hutch and went to grab the remote for the PS3. After pausing George A. Romero’s original Night of the Living Dead he took a step toward the kitchen. “Want anything?”

“Yeah. Get some popcorn and a couple of beers.” Zach snorted when Scott stared at him. “Don’t give me that look. I know what time it is. You ever heard that country song? Pretty sure Mason’s played it a dozen times in the locker room.”

Uh-huh. Must be five o’clock in fucking Ireland or something. Works for me. But Zach was a social drinker. Again with the moderation. Scott glanced over at the black Roman numeral clock on the wall above the front door. “Not even two here, man. You’re not still being all destructive because you’re kink damaged, are you? Maybe you need more chocolate?”

Zach covered his face with his hands, groaning and laughing. “I’m not kink damaged. Just having a beer with a friend, pal.”

“Right.” Scott inhaled slowly as he made his way into the kitchen, getting the popcorn ready and snatching the beers out of the fridge. All the muscles in his back felt like molten steel, hardened in an unnatural mold. A friend. Guess it’s something. He dumped the popped kernels into a red plastic bowl, then brought everything back to the living room, more than ready to suck his “friend’s” dick and get the fuck out of there. He wasn’t even sure why the label bugged him. Maybe because he wanted there to be more between them.

And there never would be.

“Take off your shirt,” Zach said, bringing a small handful of popcorn to his lips. “And come here.”

Scott practically tore off his shirt, then threw it in Zach’s face. “I don’t give a shit what everyone thinks. You’re a fucking asshole. At least I’m clear when I’m not serious about someone. You’ve got me jumping through fucking hoops to be your friend? Enough with the head games. I know you sadistic fuckers are into them, but they don’t do anything for me.”

Zach dropped the shirt on the floor by the sofa, looking so damn calm Scott wanted to crack the man right in the jaw. His deadpan tone didn’t help. “Are you quite done?”

“Soon as you blow your load down my fucking throat, buddy.”

“And I’m damaged? Damn it, Scott. I saw you were concerned. I appreciate it, but I’m feeling better.” Zach turned on to his side, bracing himself up on his elbow. “I’m taking you up on the snuggling.”

“You—you’re what?”

“You heard me.” Zach sighed, pushing to a sitting position. “We both know we’re more than friends. I don’t know how much more yet, but I’d like to find out. I’m not in a rush to get off. I want you here, lying next to me.” He pulled off his own shirt and laid it over the back of the sofa. “I just want to feel you. Skin on skin. Nothing else.”

“Nothing else . . .” That confused Scott more than the “friends” thing. Yeah, he’d gambled for a movie marathon, but that was because he figured Zach would like him not being all about sex. Didn’t mean he got it though. And he’d understood even less after Zach had thrown in the blow job token. “So we’re doing . . . what? Platonic shit?”

“No. You owe me.” Zach grinned, slouching back on the sofa in a way that drew Scott’s attention right down to the well-defined lump between Zach’s parted thighs. “But there’s no rush. Part of the deal is that you’re not going anywhere.”

“I’m staying.” The words came out like a breath that had been held too long. The pressure building up in Scott’s chest evaporated. Finally made sense. Zach needed to know he’d stick around—more so after Becky’s disappearing act. Scott gave Zach a crooked smile, shoving at Zach’s chest until he was lying down again. “Good thing you’ve got a big sofa. We ain’t small guys. Need our space”

“Not too much space though.” Zach dropped his arm over Scott’s side as Scott pushed back against him, his fingers running lightly over the trimmed, golden blond hair on Scott’s chest. He kissed Scott’s shoulder. “Press play. Pretty sure I haven’t seen this one.”

Scott grabbed the remote and unpaused the movie. He pillowed his head on his arm, eyes drifting shut as he focused on how good it felt to have Zach touching him. Different, because he didn’t do nice and tender. Or simple affection. But it relaxed him. Made him forget about the rush to get the job done. This wasn’t about getting his rocks off. Hell, he didn’t think being with Zach in any way could ever be something quick and cheap. There was so much more to it. Emotions and all that crap.

It was fucking scary when he let himself think about it.

They stayed like that during the first movie, leaning up just a bit to take sips of beer. Which was different too, because Scott usually just guzzled beer down—the whole point of drinking was getting numb, right? But it wasn’t like that now. He got to enjoy the crisp flavor of the German lager. Zach drank beer the same way he smoked cigars—or cigarettes. To appreciate the flavor. He appreciated the few vices he allowed himself, and rarely overindulged. Scott couldn’t help but wonder if he was like those vices. Something to savor on occasion.

Is that a bad thing?

He couldn’t say. Drinking or smoking too much could be a bad thing. Ranking on the same level as Zach’s clove cigarettes meant they wouldn’t be spending tons of time like this. Zach would be the one to pull back, wary of the damage Scott could cause.

I could be good for him.

Scott groaned as Zach’s hand wrapped around the front of his neck and his lips slid along the corded muscles of Scott’s throat. Zach’s other hand was low on his stomach, slipping into his shorts, his boxers.

I will be good for him.

“Fuck, I love having you here like this.” Zach let out a low growl as he stroked Scott’s dick. “You’ve dropped the front. You’re all mine.”

“Fuck!” Scott jutted his ass back against Zach, not sure what was getting to him more. The pleasure of Zach’s firm grim on his cock, or the fact that it was Zach. Kissing his neck and saying shit that smashed all the walls Scot usually put up when he got with someone. Sex was physical. Just a thing he did when he had the urge. But with Zach, it meant more. And he needed to show Zach just how much more it meant. “Please. I messed up, man. I’m sorry; I’m so fucking sorry that I—”

“It’s over, Scott.” Zach’s teeth scraped the curve of Scott’s shoulder. “I forgive you.”

“I don’t forgive me.” Scott rolled over, off the sofa and on to his knees. “I owe you.”

“You don’t. Just stay with me and we’ll call it even.” Zach lurched to his feet, pressing the heels of his palms to his forehead. “I know that sounds pathetic, but—”

“It doesn’t. I get it. That’s how I felt when I came to move Becky’s stuff. She set me straight, but all I wanted . . . all I wanted was for you both to let me stay.” Scott held up his hands when Zach gave him a pained look. “I earned it, Zach. She loves you, and she didn’t want me to hurt you again. I know I did. And I hate myself for that.” He latched on to the back of Zach’s legs, then pressed his forehead against Zach’s thigh. “Never again. I’ve never had anything I cared about losing, but I don’t want to lose you. Either of you. And I’m trying to prove it.”

“You’re doing a damn good job, Scott.” Zach petted Scott’s hair, his tone gruff with passion. “If it was just me, I’d risk it. But with Becky . . .”

“I know. She’s got a lot more to lose. And if she’s not sure of you—fuck, what chance have I got?” Scott gritted his teeth. “I need . . . I need to know I’m getting somewhere. Don’t give up on me, Zach.”

“Not happening.” Zach framed Scott’s jaw with his hand. “I’ve got you, Scott. I’m not letting you go.”

“Good.” Scott gave Zach a feral grin. “So is you fucking my mouth going to ruin all this?”

“You are too much. I won’t use you. You’ve got some shit to tell me before I’m comfortable with this.”

“What shit? Like how much I want your cock slamming into the back of my throat? Like how it makes my mouth water just to feel how hot and hard your dick is through these jogging pants?” Scott rolled the jogging pants over Zach’s hips, exposing his flushed, throbbing cock. “How about how good it feels that you’re letting me do this to you? Because I know you’re fucking picky. You don’t do this with someone you don’t care about. And you care about me, don’t you?”

“More than I can say, Scott.” Zach thrust his hips forward as Scott wrapped a hand around his dick. “But I know you. I could be anyone. And I can’t deal with that.”

“Not anyone, Zach. Not anymore.” Scott wanted to suck Zach’s dick, make him come hard, but he had to be sure Zach really understood that he wasn’t just saying what Zach needed to hear. That he meant it. He stood, still holding Zach’s dick, and faced the man. He held Zach’s gaze as Zach opened his eyes, staring at him. “When you jerked me off, you asked me to look at you. To remember who was touching me. I see you, Zach. I could have a dozen different men any day of the week. But I’ve shot every fucking offer down because none of them are you.”

“Do you mean that, Scott?” Zach grunted as Scott dropped back onto his knees, his hands clasped at the back of Scott’s head. “You’ll give all that shit up?”

“For you?” Scott dipped his head down, taking Zach’s dick in deep. He made a low, hungry sound in the back of his throat before he lifted his head. “You’re fucking right, I will.”

At first, Zach just stood there, letting Scott bob his head and slide his lips up and down his dick at a steady pace. But as Scott reached the limits of Zach’s control, Zach pushed harder on the back of his head, holding Scott still to fuck his mouth, leaving Scott with no choice but to take him in. Rough, just what Scott liked best, but it was the penetrating look Zach gave him that brought his own arousal up a few dozen notches. As though Zach was being rough not just because it felt good, but because he knew what it was doing to Scott.

Scott used his tongue and the suction of his mouth to stimulate Zach as the man rammed deep into his throat. He held tight to the back of Zach’s thighs, breathing through his nose as Zach held him close, coming hard.

The pulse under his tongue, the salty spurt he swallowed, gave him a sense of power. He finally had something to give, even if it was nothing but pleasure. Zach had said a lot of things Scott needed to hear, but the man was probably still feeling pretty low. He loved Becky, and Scott might be nothing but the next best thing.

Still, it was something. Scott licked the last of Zach’s cum off the tip off his dick and stayed on his knees as Zach dropped heavily on to the sofa. They were even as far as the bet went.

But Scott owed Zach so much more.

* * * *

Rain splattered on the window in Zach’s bedroom window, the slight part in the curtains showing the grey morning sky. Zach rolled over to the cold side of the bed and let out a bitter laugh. Things had been good between him and Scott the night before—hell, the man hadn’t even pushed for sex. But Scott’s promise to stay was like most of his good intentions. Not worth much in the long run.

You giving up on him already, Pearce?

Zach rubbed his scruffy cheek, sighed, and shook his head. He wouldn’t give up on the man, but it was hard not to be disappointed.

Maybe his “keeper” called him again. Maybe he was being considerate, not waking me up.

Yeah, and maybe they really would get their hands on the Cup this year.

There was no point in dwelling on what he couldn’t change. He was feeling a lot better than he had after waking up to find Becky gone. Between the two of them, he should probably get used to spending his mornings alone.

And being left in the dark.

At around 2:00 a.m., he’d gotten a short message from Becky. Not much to go on, but something at least: I’m sorry for leaving like that. This is for my daughter. Please understand.

He understood—not why she’d gone about it that way, but they would discuss that when she called. He checked his phone. If she called. The text he’d sent seconds later had a read time stamp on it. No reply yet.

After fetching a change of clothes, he left his room, ready to shower and start his day. He had to call his agent, let her know that he’d gone off the deep end because there could be repercussions. And then he should get in touch with his personal trainer. Time to up his training to get ready for camp. He never really slacked off, but he liked spending the last few weeks before hitting the ice getting in top shape. Which meant no more smoking. Or drinking. His diet could use some fine-tuning—

The warm scent of cinnamon drifted down the hall, and he glanced toward the kitchen when Scott cursed. Seeing Scott, standing there with a tray of food, had Zach rubbing his eyes to make sure he was actually awake.

“Couldn’t stay in bed just a few more minutes?” Scott walked past Zach, back into the bedroom. “Get in here.”

Zach laughed, following Scott and climbing onto the bed, legs stretched out so Scott could set the tray on his lap. “What’s all this?”

“Food, dumbass.” Scott grinned. “You got French toast last time we roomed together on the road. I make ‘em pretty decent.”

Actually, the French toast was delicious. Zach chewed on the first mouthful, making an appreciative sound in the back of his throat. The hotel had made it a little soggy and bland. Scott’s had a nice texture and a fresh zesty taste that Zach couldn’t quite pin down, along with just the right amount of spices. He swallowed and cut another piece with his fork. “This is really good. I didn’t know you could cook.”

Scott shrugged. “Can’t do much, just a few of my favorites. Had to learn to feed myself if I didn’t want to eat out all the time. After being on the road, it’s nice to come home and have a few meals in my own kitchen.”

Zach could relate to that. His own cooking skills were little more than functional, but he’d had Sue who enjoyed making elaborate meals when they were together, and his two boyfriends after had been domestic types. He had a feeling Scott had never had anyone who’d taken pleasure in serving him. Whatever people thought of him, he’d learned how to take care of himself.

But had anyone ever taken care of him?

Bringing another bite to his mouth, Zach eyed Scott.

“What?” Scott shuffled his feet. “Is everything okay? I put cream in your coffee. No sugar. I know you drink it black sometimes, but usually when you’re in a rush, and you ain’t so—”

“Everything’s perfect, Scott. I’m just . . .” Zach shook his head. “I’m still processing. I thought you’d left, but instead you were doing this. It’s unexpected.”

“In a good way?”

“Definitely,” Zach said, smiling. He finished the French toast, then sipped at the coffee. “Did you eat?”

“Yeah. I’ve got that women’s self-defense thing today, so I made sure I ate and showered early. Gives me some time to chill with you before I have to take off.”

“How much time do you have?” Zach let his gaze travel slowly over Scott, from his bare chest to a pair of loose-fitting jeans that Zach recognized as his.

Scott’s throat worked. He followed Zach’s gaze to the jeans. “Hope you don’t mind that I—”

“I don’t.” Zach relaxed back against the headboard as Scott took the tray off his lap. “Are you going to answer the question?”

“Ah . . . guess I’ve got some.” Scott’s eyes shifted away from Zach. “Want to finish that movie?”

Zach cocked his head. Now this was interesting. If Scott was a sub, Zach might think he wasn’t ready for the level of intimacy that came with making love, but didn’t know how to come right out and say so. Maybe that wasn’t so far from the truth since sex usually meant so little to Scott. Zach nodded. “I’d like that. The movie was just starting to get good.”

“Okay.” Scott turned, then cursed softly before putting the tray on the night table. He moved toward Zach, speaking through his teeth, “You fucking scare me. I know it will be more than . . . it will be more. I want it, but it kinda freaks me out.”

Jerking Scott down onto the bed, Zach quickly rolled over him, grazing his teeth down Scott’s smooth jaw. He gave Scott a bruising kiss while undoing the jeans. Smiled against Scott’s lips at his groan. “You know what scared me? I thought you would run again. I thought you had. But you stayed.” He slid his hands between Scott’s thighs, gently massaging his heavy sac. “You had the balls to stay.”

“Shit. I want you.” Scott’s hips jutted up as Zach palmed his fully erect dick. “I told you I’d stay. Wasn’t for this.”

Zach sucked at the side of Scott’s neck, running his hand up and down Scott’s cock, his own balls swelling and pulsing with lust, his blood pounding along his hard length. “This” wasn’t why he’d wanted Scott to be here when he woke up, but it was impossible to let Scott go now that he had the man in his bed. “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to hold you at arm’s length all this time? Sometimes I wished I could be like you. Fuck without caring.”

“I don’t want you to be like that. If you were, I wouldn’t love you so damn much.” Scott wrestled Zach onto his back, teeth bared, tone gruff, not giving Zach a second to react to the impact of his words. “It was worth the wait, but I can’t hold back anymore. Take me or I’m gonna take you.”

Sweat broke out on Zach’s flesh as he shoved Scott off him, pushing him face down on the mattress. He bit the back of Scott’s shoulder hard enough to leave a mark, then let out a harsh laugh. “Not this time.”

Fetching the lube and condoms from the night table drawer, Zach took a few deep inhales to calm himself enough to make this good for them both. Last time they’d had sex, they’d both been drinking. He wasn’t sure if Scott had ever been with anyone, man or woman, completely sober. Fast and hard would be no different than what he’d experienced so many times before.

He covered himself and climbed over Scott, sliding his lips along Scott’s spine. He rose up to squirt some lube into one hand, then pressed one finger between Scott’s ass cheeks, sliding it into him slowly. Scott shivered, letting out a muffled sound as he pressed his face into the pillows.

“So fucking hot.” Zach worked another finger in alongside the first, pumping his fingers at a steady pace as he pressed his forehead against the center of Scott’s back. The grip of Scott’s inner muscles around his fingers heightened the urge to slam his dick in to the man’s perfectly willing body, but something deep inside him held on to making this better than their first time. Zach withdrew his fingers, spread lube over his length, then slid it into the crease of Scott’s ass, one arm wrapped around Scott’s waist.

“Jesus, Zach!” Scott panted, thrusting his hips backward. “I need you inside me.”

“I know. But one thing first.” He lowered so he covered Scott’s body completely, one hand on his own dick, the other pressed to the side of Scott’s face to turn his head for a long, slow kiss. He made sure Scott was looking at him, then whispered against his lips, “I love you too.”

* * * *

All the air went out of Scott’s lungs at the same time as his heart skipped about a dozen beats. Zach loved him? His jaw hurt from grinning while pressing his mouth hard to Zach’s, trying to kiss the man back. A sharp laugh of relief came out with the little oxygen he had left. He felt light-headed and fucking wonderful. And he never felt anything when he got fucked. Nothing real or lasting.

But how could he feel any less with Zach?

The smooth head of Zach’s cock stretching him brought a twinge of pain. A bit more pressure and Zach’s slowly breached the snug ring of muscle. Scott inhaled, holding it in as the sensation took over.

“Relax, Scott.” Zach kissed his temple, rocking his hips to penetrate Scott with shallow thrusts. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t care if you hurt me.” Scott braced his forehead against the pillow and bucking his hips back to take Zach in all the way. The cotton pillowcase dried the sweat on his brow, but the rest of his skin was slick with it. He wasn’t sure what he was saying anymore. He just kept mumbling the same words over and over. “It’s you. You.”

“Yes.” Zach latched on to Scott’s hips, holding them tight as he eased out, then in, gradually going deeper. Harder. “You’re making this very difficult. I want to be gentle. But I’ve been waiting for you—” Zach slammed in, lifting Scott up to meet his thrust “—so fucking—” he pistoned in and out, his slick flesh slapping against Scott’s ass “—long.”

“I don’t need gentle. Fuck!” Scott threw his head back as Zach rose up and angled his dick in a way that stimulated the most sensitive spot inside him. Every slick drag in and out forced him open a little more. When Zach rammed in to the hilt, the feeling of fullness caused Scott’s balls to tighten and the pleasure building in his spine to billow outward like steam contained in a tightly sealed steel pot, ready to burn everything it touched when it was set free. As Scott clenched around Zach, Zach slowed his pace, hitting that same spot again and again. Scott groaned, fisting his hands into the sheets. “There. Right there.”

All that hot, hard flesh pounded into him. He almost lost himself to the pleasure, but then Zach’s hands were on his shoulders, pulling him up on his knees, lips pressed between his shoulder blades, slipping as he moved, the scruff on his jaw scraping Scott’s flesh. “Don’t let go yet. I want this to last.”

“Ah!” Scott bit the inside of his cheek, struggling for control as Zach lowered his hand, taking hold of Scott’s dick. The loose grip brought him up to the edge. He was going to come. He leaned his head back onto Zach’s shoulder, trying to think of anything that would calm him down enough to make it last like Zach wanted. An image flashed behind his closed eyelids, and he had to lock his muscles not to throw himself away from Zach and right off the bed. He was in another time. Another place. Small and vulnerable. The sting of rum scalded his throat. He opened his eyes wide so he could stare at the wall. So he could forget her face. “Not now. Damn it, not now!”

Zach went still. “Scott—?”

“Fuck me, Zach! Please!” Scott’s eyes burned as he kept them focused on the wall without blinking. Pure white marred only by his shadow. And Zach’s. Zach’s! “Don’t stop! I don’t want you to stop!”

Suddenly, Scott was empty. His lips parted in protest, but the words caught in his throat as Zach flipped him onto his back, then slid into him.

“I think it’s better if you come for me.” Zach slapped one hand on the bed by Scott’s head, thrusting hard. “Now.”

Scott’s back arched as he came, shuddering and snarling. The pressure release like an avalanche in the mountains sent cascading over a cliff with a scream. His mind went blank, but he still felt the urge to get away. To run. There was a reason he rarely fucked or let anyone fuck him sober. Sometimes getting off felt amazing, but so fucking wrong.

He used the sheet to clean the cum off his stomach as Zach pulled out. Then he shoved back, throwing his legs over the side of the bed. “Sorry. I really messed that up.”

“Don’t you dare move.” Zach grabbed Scott’s arm and jerked him onto the bed and into his arms. “If anyone messed this up, it’s me. I know there’s something you’re not telling me. I should have made you before letting this happen.”

“I’m not a fucking chick, Zach. I don’t need to ‘share’ before getting with someone.” Scott stopped fighting and leaned against Zach’s chest. “This is just different. But in a good way.”

“Is it?” Zach stroked Scott’s back, resting his brow on top of Scott’s head. “You weren’t in a good place at the end. Admit that at least.”

“For a second I . . .” Fuck, I can’t lie to him. Scott sighed. “No. I wasn’t in a good place. I’m not sure why.”

“We’ll figure it out.” Zach framed Scott’s jaw with his hand, tilting his head back to kiss him. “But . . .” He laughed. “How are you feeling otherwise? I didn’t hurt you?”

“Not any more than I wanted you to.” Scott shifted, the ache in his ass, the tenderness running up from his balls to the tip of his dick, drawing out a low groan. Just thinking about Zach fucking him was enough to make his cock twitch like it hadn’t had enough. But overall, he felt pleasantly drained. And something more. He liked having Zach’s arms around him. Liked knowing sex wasn’t the beginning and the end of what they had. “It’s weird, but for the first time, I’m not looking to get out of bed as fast as I can. If I had nothing else to do . . .”

“I like hearing that.” Zach chuckled and kissed his cheek as he eased Scott up to his feet. “But you do have to go. What we have doesn’t change what you have to do to stay with the team.”

For some reason, it bothered Scott that Zach thought staying with the team was the only reason he was doing this. He gathered his clothes, then paused by the door. “Some of those women I do the self-defense thing with . . . they’ve been beaten. Or worse—like Akira. Others are scared because they know someone who has been. I can’t tell the guys I enjoy putting on that stupid padded outfit and letting the girls beat on me, but . . .” He raked his fingers through his hair, shrugging. “I do. Even when it hurts, them hitting me hard enough to feel it is good. It’s not a masochist thing. It’s the look on their faces when they realize they have the power to defend themselves.” He shook his head, knowing he wasn’t making any sense. “There’s nothing like it.”

“Scott, you might be surprised to know that the guys and I heard about all the different stuff you’re supposed to do to look good. We all do the charity thing, but you were the first one to volunteer for this. It’s pretty obvious that it means something to you.” Zach curved his hand around the back of Scott’s neck and shook him, smiling. “You’re a better person than you know. But we see it. It counts.”

“Yeah, well . . .” Scott wasn’t sure how he felt about things getting all mushy between them. His insides were like the French toast from the hotel. Soggy and warm like bread that hadn’t gotten solid enough to hold together when the sweet mixture was soaked up. He needed Zach to know he was strong and stable. Not that he’d shown him much of that. “I won’t flake out, but it’s just an hour long. Maybe we can do something after.” His lips twisted in consideration. “Unless . . .”

“Unless what?”

“You wanna come with?” Scott almost wished he hadn’t asked when Zach took a deep breath and stepped away from him. “You don’t have to. Just thought I’d put it out there.”

“It’s not that.” Zach rubbed the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. “I know why you make appearances with Sahara. Being seen with me could make things difficult for you.”

“Hey, you let me worry about that.” Scott grinned. It was kinda cool seeing Zach not so sure of himself. His grin faded as he considered why Zach would be reluctant to hang out with him. Zach and Becky weren’t exactly open about their relationship. He hadn’t missed that Becky had turned away from Zach’s kiss while seeing him off for the cruise. Or that Zach had let her. “You’re a private kinda guy. I get that. But we can do stuff and have it mean something to us without anyone knowing. If I hadn’t screwed things up with the team so bad, I wouldn’t care what anyone thinks about us being together. It ain’t gonna be easy for me to keep my hands off you—”

“I understand.” Zach turned his back on Scott to tear the sheets off his bed. “But I don’t think you do. What we have has to be between us. I won’t let it affect how hard you’ve worked to prove yourself.”

Scott rolled his eyes. Stubborn fucker. “What aren’t you getting about ‘let me worry about that’? Who’s going to question two players doing charity work together? It’s simple, man. I want you around. We’ve got more than sex, right?”

“Of course.” Zach faced him, folding his arms over his chest. “But there have to be limits.”

“Does there?” Scott smirked. “No one will wonder why management would stick me with a responsible guy like you. You’re a good influence.”

“True. But I’m also gay.”

“Shit, no one really believes that. Not with the way you look at Becky.” Scott clenched his jaw when Zach winced. Damn it, he needed to talk to the woman. She wanted to tell him not to screw with Zach? Well, that fucking well went for her too. “You don’t wanna come, just say so. This shit is already complicated, I get that. But you’re making it more than it needs to be. People will talk. They talk about Carter and Ramos, but they don’t know anything for sure. What it really comes down to is who we are on the ice. And that we’re not complete assholes out in the world. You’ve never had a bad rep. I’m working on mine.”

“You’re right.”

Scott smirked. He doubted he’d hear Zach say that often, but he’d take it. “Damn right, I am. Come with me. I wanna share this with you.”

“Okay.” Zach’s lips curved into a hesitant smile. He grabbed Scott’s arms, pulling him in for a hug. He exhaled like he’d finally let all his reservations go. “I’d like that.”

This felt like giving back. Like maybe Zach needed Scott as much as Scott needed him. The whole “love” thing didn’t mean much when one person carried all the weight of the relationship.

Hefting a good part of the heavy load on to his own shoulders was serious commitment, but one Scott was willing to make.

He was in this for the long run.