Page 91 of Rookie Moves

“Bringing me here. Suggesting this. I just…” I shake my head, still in disbelief that I’ve just performed onstage in front of this entire place. “I never would’ve done it if it weren’t for you, so thank you.”

Colby doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his stare on the side of my head as I watch the person onstage with a ukulele.

I came into this agreement to help Colby explore his sexual identity safely, but as we were doing all of that, it seems he has helped me find myself.

I’m graduating from Whilton U in two days, and while my future looks uncertain in terms of my career, it’s clear now what I need to do.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

COLBY

The back of my throat aches as we stand there in silence, watching people come and go from the stage.

I don’t know what came over me after he finished playing, but it was too strong for me to resist.

Maybe it was from seeing two guys kissing in the corner, and how freeing it must be to be so open and unafraid.

I ache for the day I’m able to kiss Tyler in the middle of this bar and not have to worry about whether someone will snap a photo and post it on the internet for the world of hockey to drag me down.

To be able to hold hands as we walk down the street and not have to worry that everything I’ve worked hard for will come crashing down before I know it.

Maybe it was because Tyler’s smile was so bright, it was probably visible from the moon, or the way it sounded like he was singing about us. About how we’ve had to shrink ourselves and make our souls invisible to fit the narrative other people have set for us. Like with Tyler and his dad, who has never given him the chance to decide what he wants to do in his life, and how I’ve had to construct walls around me to protect myself from a young age, and keeping my sexual identity a secret so my dreams of making the NHL didn’t come crashing down.

Then seeing the awe in people’s eyes as he walked back to the table had me beaming with pride.

My concerns weighing in my gut that I may have overstepped with the idea of coming here were squashed the second I saw his eyes connect with mine.

The spark had been ignited in him, just like I hoped it would. A hit of nostalgia that should never have been snuffed out in the first place. Because don’t get me wrong, he’s an incredible hockey player, but seeing him up on that stage? Seeing the way he captured the audience with that sexy, raspy voice and the emotions that clung to every word…

He’s been depriving the world of his talents, and it’s about time he was given the chance to shine.

“Are you ready to head back?” Tyler asks, grabbing my attention from where I’ve been staring off in a daze.

“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat.

Once I finish the last of my soda, I place our empty glasses and plates on the bar as Tyler puts his guitar back in the case, and then we weave through the crowd that’s grown in size since we arrived. The bartender who first served us calls out to Tyler and waves him goodbye.

The drive back to campus is quiet, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable. I don’t take my eyes off Tyler as his fingers tap against the steering wheel in a soothing rhythm. His long, dark hair kicks out from beneath the brim of his backward hat, and I fight the urge to take it off so I can run my fingers through the soft strands.

Will he fuck me in a way that lets me bury my fingers in it? Anchor myself to him to hold him close?

My stomach swoops as the vision plays in my mind. Me on my back, him driving his cock inside me, our mouths so close we share the same breath.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna need to find somewhere to pull over,” he says, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

I wipe my palms down the front of my jeans, lifting my hips slightly to adjust the semi I’m sporting from where my thoughts strayed.

My voice comes out slightly gravelly when I say, “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“There’s something you still haven’t taught me, and I’d like to have that lesson tonight.”

Tyler’s lips part, his knuckles turning white as he grips the steering wheel. He keeps his gaze fixed on the road, and another minute goes by before he asks, “What lesson is that?”

I dig my teeth into my bottom lip, my heart hammering in my chest. Tyler has always encouraged me to speak openly and honestly about what I want, and knowing that my wants and needs turn him on has the nerves fluttering in my stomach disappear as I confess, “I want you to fuck me, Ty. I want to feel you inside me, to fill me up and own me.”

Tyler’s nostrils flare as he sucks in a breath.