Eric had taken their dirty plates to the sink and started washing them by the time Kyle managed to stop his runaway thought train. He stood and awkwardly walked to sink, hovering next to Eric uselessly. “Can I help?”
“It’s okay. I have to leave in a minute.”
“Right. I’ll get going then.” He took a step toward the stairs, then hesitated.
“I’ll walk you down,” Eric said, drying his hands.
At the door, the two men stood facing each other for a tense, silent moment. Finally, Kyle gave Eric a quick hug. “Have a good road trip. Or two, I guess. And a merry Christmas.”
“Thanks.”
When Kyle pulled back, he found Eric gazing longingly at his mouth. It was an opportunity he couldn’t ignore. He leaned in and murmured, “How about a farewell kiss?”
Eric answered by bringing their lips together. The kiss was soft and sweet, and Kyle regretted asking for it. It was too tender. Too heartbreaking.
“Thank you again,” Eric said quietly. “Last night was incredible.”
Kyle switched on his flirty, carefree shield. “Of course it was.”
Eric’s warm laughter was the last thing Kyle heard as he opened the door and made his escape from the man he was in danger of falling for.
Chapter Nineteen
“If either of you fuckers opts out of the All-Star game I will personally kill you,” Carter said. They were in the locker room, getting dressed for their first home game in two weeks.
“Why?” Scott asked.
“Because Gloria and I booked a week in Grand Cayman, and if one of you bails, they are going to replace you with me.”
“Carter,” Eric said calmly. “I’m a goalie.”
“Right. Okay, well, Scotty has to go then.”
“Iamgoing,” Scott said. “I love the All-Star game.”
“You’re the only one,” Carter grumbled. “I have a long list of things I’d rather do during my week off than play a shitshow of a game in fucking Buffalo.”
“Hey,” Scott said. “I’m from near Buffalo.”
“And I’m from North Dakota, but I don’t want to spend my vacation time there either,” Carter quipped.
Eric had no plans to skip the All-Star game. The line-up had been announced yesterday, and he’d been surprised and touched to be named to the team this year, since there were some really excellent younger goaltenders who deserved the spot as much as he did. He appreciated having one last opportunity to show off in the skills competition, and to secretly say goodbye to his colleagues.
Christmas had come and gone and Eric still hadn’t told anyone that he was retiring at the end of this season. He just couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Every week he’d have a new reason to justify waiting. He’d now decided to wait until February, after the All-Star game. He didn’t want the attention that he’d get from the media, and the other players, if they knew it was definitely his last All-Star appearance.
He hadn’t seen or spoken to Kyle in two weeks either. He’d taken the back-to-back road trips as an opportunity to clear his head and maybe allow himself to think reasonably about what he was doing with Kyle. He’d thought some distance would relieve his cravings for the man.
It hadn’t worked.
Eric still felt heated every time he thought of their last time together. Which was often. In fact most of his thoughts had been dominated by Kyle. He’d thought about him when he was on the road—in planes, on buses, working out, and definitely in his hotel rooms. He’d thought about him while he’d been at home with his family. He’d thought about him a surprising amount on Christmas morning, even wishing that Kyle was there with him, meeting his parents and siblings, which was a little alarming.
Eric had wanted to text him yesterday when he’d gotten back into town. Maybe see if he wanted to come over. But he didn’t want to seem too eager, and he also didn’t like how unmanageable his feelings had become. Kyle was forcing his way into Eric’s heart like a puck sailing into the top corner of the net while Eric was sprawled helplessly on the ice. He couldn’t control what was happening, and he hated things he couldn’t control.
Usually.
“You guys enjoy hanging out with Dallas Kent in the snow,” Carter teased. “I’m going to be on a beach with the love of my life.”
“Rum?” Scott asked dryly.