“Right.” That got him a real smile. Hawk pulled a key card out of the wallet attached to his phone. “My extra hotel key. I’ll text you the details. In case you want to drop by. I have a dinner meeting, but I’ll be done by nine.”
“Even in Italy, huh?”
“Yeah, we’ve got a reservation at six-thirty. That’s plenty of time with those guys.”
“No doubt. I’m free, so I’ll let myself in.”
“Good deal.” Hawk texted him the hotel name and room number. “Later.” That look… Jesus, he was going to go up in smoke.
“Later.” Caleb watched Hawk walk away before ducking back into the cafe.
“Want another coffee?”
Jamie was all but vibrating with curiosity. “Yes. And then you will tell all.”
Shit. Caleb took a deep breath as he stood at the counter, knowing he was about to get grilled.
He got another coffee, but an Americano for him this time, no milk, and no more sugar. He had to keep his inflammation numbers down. For Jamie, who was disgustingly healthy, he splurged.
By the time he sat again, he was ready for Jamie’s offensive play.
“Dude. So is that the hockey guy from Korea? The one you used my room with for like, a week?” Jamie leaned his arms on the table and stared at him.
Shit. That was a direct shot. “Yep.”
“Dayum. That is one big dude.” Jamie was so straight it hurt, but he was really secure about it and often commented on guys for Caleb. “And hot. And famous.”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “And I’m seeing him tonight.”
“You dawg. I mean, I know you haven’t been celibate or anything, but you’re pretty picky, and here you are, hooking up with someone you haven’t seen for like, eight years.”
Caleb shrugged, staring down into his cup. “Can I tell you something? You have to promise not to be a dick about it.”
“I cross my heart.” Jamie scrunched his nose and crossed his eyes.
“Ha. So, he’s kind of the one I let get away, man.”
Jamie’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I could have been real serious about him, but we agreed we had too much to do in our sports.” God, his neck felt hot, and his palms were sweaty.
“So you want another try?”
“I think I do, yeah. And after this season… Well, I won’t send him off without a plan if I can help it.” No, he was going to make sure Hawk knew Caleb wanted to explore this whole thing this time. Whatever it might be.
“Way to go. Just don’t get distracted from the competition, man.”
“I won’t.” He told Jamie a lot, but he hadn’t told the guy he was going to retire after this year.
His body wasn’t going to do this anymore. Not in any way that wasn’t going to end up with him being badly damaged.
“Okay, cool. Well, we have plenty of time to hang out today if you want to, then.” Jamie sucked down his second eclair.
“Yeah, let’s go get the lay of the land a little more. I want to figure out where to get a cab or an Uber from the village and shit.”
“Caleb’s got a hoooook-up,” Jamie teased, and he rolled his eyes.
But what was he gonna say to that?