“You need fucking therapy,” I shouted at him.
“Fuck off,” he bit back.
The Titans won the game with little help from me, other than being the sole obsession of the enemy captain. And if mypresence was enough to wreck the Breakers, then it was a worthy contribution. I would have my prize later tonight.
While my teammates swarmed the rink in celebration, my gaze swept over the crowd, looking for Seth. He was no longer there.
Good.
He would tell me where to find him. And if I could help Silas hook up with his crush, it meant Seth would have an empty room for us to celebrate however he wanted.
The sweetness of the kiss from two years ago still lingered on my lips after all the other kisses. I had never gotten anything I had wanted so badly. The truth was that I had been noticing Seth that way for years. We’d grown up together, yet at a distance, and sneaking around behind Nick’s back had left me fascinated by Seth’s stubborn streak, his rebellious acts, and his genuine interest in me. Being kissed by him so blatantly and openly and suddenly had felt more gratifying than any kiss, date, or sex I’d ever had with anyone else.
He wouldn’t walk away from his brother entirely. I knew that. I was okay with that. But he wouldn’t give up on me either. A year had passed, and he had still been there for me. Another had gone by, and he had found his way to me.
It wasn’t a second chance. Not really. We’d never blown a chance before. We’d simply done what we knew was right, keeping something incredible without messing around with it too much. Last summer, kissing practice, naked bodies, and soft, green grass under us were the sort of memories I didn’t want to tarnish with drama that could have followed.
I went into the locker room with my teammates. Griffin tapped my shoulder and told me he’d been right about the good luck kiss. I couldn’t agree more. I just wanted a post-game kiss to make sure we didn’t jinx anything.
Seth had texted me to meet him on the science building roof.
I showered and made up an excuse for skipping the team party at the Thinker. I would be near enough, having a better party.
I carried my duffel hanging from one shoulder and made my way to the back of the building, then up the metal stairs to the very top. Seth stood in the distant corner, partly shadowed, arms wrapped around his body.
Tension abandoned his posture when I stepped over the edge and onto the roof. “Congratulations. You didn’t break anything,” he said with a note of disappointment.
I sucked my teeth. “Could break your ass if you’re keen.”
He laughed abruptly and shook his head. “What? With one little point you scored? Do better, Pierce.”
“Oof. Banter’s fine, but that one hurts,” I said, trying for my most convincing wounded voice.
I could see the moment of concern come over his face as he stepped closer. Then he realized I was still teasing him and made his expression blank again. “I guess you were kinda sexy out there.”
“Kinda? Did you see them cheer?” I teased.
Seth put his hands on my jacket, and I dropped the duffel. He pulled me in and gazed up at my face. “They can chant your name all they like, I’m the one who gets the goods.”
“So, we’re doing it, huh?”
“If I say so,” he replied, yet he still had to bite his lip. “I still feel you after the weekend.”
“Never goes away,” I said, hands settling on his ass with familiar ease. “Does it hurt?”
“Hurt? No,” he said. “It didn’t hurt. It felt…” He shrugged. “Complete.”
“And now you feel like you’re missing something,” I said. I knew because I felt the same.
Seth cracked a smile. “Don’t get too cocky.”
“Kiss me and I’ll stop.” And I didn’t have to wait long. He rose onto his toes and pressed those sexy, full lips against mine, warm and excited and wonderful in my arms.
I didn’t let him pull away from me. I kissed him back, leaning in and holding him close.
Life was good. Things didn’t look too bad for me. A month ago, I’d dragged myself home from another meaningless hookup that had only gone to show how empty my days were.
When we parted, Seth stepped back and reached for his backpack. He took out two cans of beer and handed me one. “I figured you’d like this. It’s basic, just like you.” The words didn’t have the bite in them as they had before. I almost missed it.