Page 85 of Coming Home
“Why do I feel like you’re not telling me the truth?” Reed grabbed my hand as we left the arena.
The parking lot was empty when we stepped out into the warm summer night. We hadn’t come out officially yet as a couple anywhere, but people had seen us. Pictures had popped up of the two of us together, and we had posted pictures on social media. Nothing saying what we were doing, but it didn’t take a genius to figure it out. Not to mention he had been at the last two home games. There were photos of him leaving with my dads.
I squeezed his fingers lightly. “I’m disappointed. But I realize now that I have everything I need. Sure, I want that championship clout, but there is plenty of time to get it. If we lose, then next year we’ll just come back harder and prove that we are the best team in the league.”
“You’re going to make an amazing captain someday.” Reed grinned at me when I turned to stare at him. “What? You think that’s not going to happen?”
I had never thought about that. “Wyatt is captain.”
“Yeah, I know. Wyatt is amazing, but he’s not going to play hockey forever.”
“I suppose I had never stopped to think about that before.”
Reed stopped and grabbed my other hand. “Wyatt is a great guy, an amazing player, but he’s no spring chicken, Cole. Someday he’ll hang up his skates to spend more time with his family, and that will leave the door open for you. You’re a born leader. The other guys already look up to you.”
“Jordan is alternate captain. They’ll probably pick him,” I murmured.
Did I even want that responsibility? Would the Panthers even want to give that to me? My dad had been captain in Boston. When I was a kid and thought about what it would be like to play in the NHL, I had always envisioned myself just like my father.
Reed kissed me softly. “You’re going to be great, Casanova.” He smiled when I focused on him. “I know you see it now.”
“I love you.” I wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled him flush against my chest.
Reed sighed happily. “I love you, too.”
“Are we going home or over to Mav’s place? I know they’re having an impromptu get together. I’m sure all the WAGs will be there. Your parents, too. We could stop by and say hello if you wanted.”
I didn’t really want to socialize. I wanted to take my boyfriend home and ravish him while he wore my jersey. Only my jersey.
Reed dropped wet kisses against my jaw. “Mm, I think you should take me home.” His green eyes glittered with heat. “I’m wearing new panties tonight.” His lips brushed over my ear.
My cock hardened in an instant, and I knew he felt it because he rubbed himself against me. “Let’s go, baby, before I do something very illegal to you in this parking lot.” I pulled him to the car. “I will throw you over my shoulder if you don’t move faster.”
“Bet.” Reed yanked his hand out of mine and folded his arms across his chest. He smirked at me as I stared wide-eyed at him.
And then I did exactly what I’d threatened. I grabbed him, tossed him over my shoulder, and carried him to the car. Reed laughed hard and loud as I unlocked the vehicle, placed him inside, and slipped his seat belt over his waist and shoulder. I couldn’t resist leaning in for a kiss, soft and tender against his perfect mouth. Reed’s pupils nearly covered the entire green of his eyes as I smiled at him, shut the door, and rushed over to climb inside the car.
NO ONE WAS HOME WHENI pulled the car into the driveway. I figured Oscar was at the Olsons’ house along with Zach and Tate, which gave us plenty of alone time. I gave Reed the same treatment. I carried him into the house as he giggled with laughter and up the stairs to my room. I kicked the door closed behind me, then I laid him out on the bed.
Reed immediately slid off his pants to give me a view of his erection pressed against the green panties he wore. He kicked them off and lifted his arms above his head. “Do you like them?”
“Fuck yes.” I dropped to my knees to mouth his lace-covered cock. The way it pushed the boundaries of the fabric was beautiful. He was covered in sticky pre-cum, and I sucked and licked it clean. “Baby, you’re so damn beautiful. Everything about you is everything I’ve ever wanted.” I glanced up to find Reed leaning on elbows as he watched me, his top teeth buried in his plump bottom lip.
He gave me a lazy smile. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Reed reached down to drag his fingers through my hair. “I love you so much.”
“Baby...” My voice cracked as I climbed over his small body and blanketed him with my heavier one. I tucked my head intothe crook of his neck and just breathed him in. He smelled like my laundry detergent, a bit like the ammonia and popcorn from the hockey arena, and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon.
Reed hummed softly, his fingers in my hair again. He murmured gently as we held one another. Wisps of “I love you”, “I’m sorry”, “Nothing is going to take me away from you again,” and “I’m proud of you” filtered through my ears.
“I wish you hadn’t left without saying goodbye that summer.” I pulled back to stare at him. “Reed, you broke my heart. I thought it was me. That you didn’t want me and you just ghosted because you thought that was what I deserved.”
Reed’s chin trembled. “I shouldn’t have done that. It was wrong, and I will spend the rest of my life making that up to you. You deserved so much more than that, Cole. I’m so fucking sorry. I was a horrible person. I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I am sorry. I will always be sorry if you just let me—”
I kissed him before he could say anything else. My tongue licked around his lips until he opened for me, his tongue hot against mine. Reed whimpered as I deepened the kiss, his hands suddenly tugging on my suit jacket. I stopped only to remove it, then slammed my mouth back over his. Reed yanked my shirt up and pressed his warm palms against my lower back.
“No more saying sorry.” I nibbled the shell of his ear. “No more talking about what should have been and what happened. I understand why you did it. You thought you were helping me from doing something I would regret later. And I should thank you, because I might not be here now. Playing for the Panthers, living close to my family and friends, sharing a house with my best friend.” I closed my eyes. “And we might not be in this bed. We might not have survived long-distance. We were kids. We thought we knew everything. The only thing I know now is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, making up for lost time.”
Tears spilled down Reed’s cheeks. “I want that, too.” He sniffed softly. “But I want right now is for you to make love to me. Show me how much I mean to you, because I want to do the same.”
