“Dating, huh?” Tyler hefted another box off the end of the truck, then strolled beside me toward the house. “You sure you’re going to have time for a relationship? You know how our schedules are once school starts.”
“Yeah, but he’s working as a graphic arts intern, going to schoolandhe’s in a band. So, I’m sure he wouldn’t be too demanding of my time.” I stepped through the front door. Was starting something really a good idea right now? Tyler had a point. But fuck it, I’d been so focused on hockey my whole lifeand with the way I was playing lately, my dreams of an NHL contract were fading pretty fast.
“Unlike that girl you dated last year.” He freed a short laugh. “Total puck bunny. All she wanted was to hang out in your bedroom twenty-four seven.” Following me down the hallway into the bedrooms, he shook his head. “It was fucking annoying.”
“Don’t worry. I highly doubt Milo would be like that.” I stepped into his bedroom, full of honey-colored wooden furniture, and set his box on his mattress. “Besides, we’ve been hooking up at his place when his roommates are out.”
“Oh?” With a lift of his brows, Tyler set his box on his desk. “What, the guy doesn’t want you meeting his friends?”
“Bandmates. He lives with the guys he’s in the band with.” I shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know, guess we’re not on that level yet.” My chest tightened. How did Milo feel about me? I’d assumed he liked me if he kept wanting to get together. “I’m sure I’ll meet them when the time is right.”
“Yeah, okay.” He planted his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t get hurt, man.” He hugged me into his side and kissed my head. “And don’t let this shit interfere with your hockey.” He gave me a pointed look.
“Don’t worry about that.” I tapped his chest with my knuckles. “Some dude is not going to upset my focus.”
His brows dipped. “What about your dad? Is that situation any better?” He eyed me.
Hanging my head, I said, “Not really. But I have a plan to combat it this year.” Mom had been so supportive of my hockey career. She was the one who’d been to all my games and pushed me to dream big. Maybe it was the Olympic athlete in her. But Dad…he was never on board with it.
“Yeah? And what’s that? Never answer the phone?” Raising the edge of his lips, he cocked a brow.
With a smirk, I said, “Maybe. That’s a fantastic idea.” I squeezed him to my side, then released him and combed my fingers through my bangs, perusing his room. “Anyways, I’m not going to let him get to me.” At this point, his phone calls after our games were infamous. For someone who didn’t know much about hockey, he sure knew how to critique my game.
“Listen to Coach and let whatever fucked up shit your dad says roll off your back. When you play well, you’re unstoppable.” He squeezed my shoulder and gave me a warm smile.
That was a lot, coming from him. Warmth wound through my chest. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Dudes, let’s get started on the tuna casserole.” Jonah popped his head through the doorway, a wide grin on his face.
“Sounds good.” With a glance at Tyler, I strode out of the room.
CHAPTER TWO
Dinner was over and we all sat around our kitchen table with empty plates in front of us, the whole tuna casserole gone. “Damn, that was amazing.” I rubbed my stomach.
“The pizza was good, too.” Mason, sitting at the head of the table with an empty pizza box in front of him, wiped his mouth with a paper towel, then stood up. “Who’s doing dishes?”
“Not me, I cooked.” Jonah squared his gaze on Tyler, then Myles.
“Fine.” With a sigh, Myles stood up and collected plates.
My phone buzzed on the table next to my plate. I picked it up.
Milo
What are you doing? Want to hook up?
A grin broke out over my face. Oh, hell yes. My dick perked up.
“Oh, Jesus. Is it Milo?” Jonah peered at me while handing his plate to Myles.
“It is.” I tapped my reply on the screen. Hopefully he wasn’t thinking of coming here for once, but he usually only texted when his friends were all out.
Archer
I’m free. Your place again? I’ve got a full house tonight.
Milo