Page 40 of Goalie interference

And as concerned as I was about what happened next, I was undoubtedly sure of at least one thing–Ash felt like this was right for him, too.

Ash felt cared for and happy–he told me so every day. He told me with his mouth, his body, his actions–he was more at peace in the brief times we were here than I’d ever seen him before. He’d work himself up, but he’d come down from it so much better, and softer, and happier.

It was stupid of me to even be a little concerned that he wouldn’t still choose this when that stuff mattered–he'd chosen me already, over and over.

He’d choose me again when it mattered.

…God, I hoped he would.

Chapter 20

Ash

“...mhhm,” I hummed, phone wedged between my cheek and shoulder as I knocked on the wall inside the rink. “Well, that’s just Dad–he’s like that.”

“I know,” Mom sighed, a twinge of amusement in it. “I miss you, Ashy–you still want to come to Aspen with us this summer, right? I’m booking spa days, and I know you love a deep tissue one after a hard season–might help with your leg.”

Now felt like a historically bad time to tell her my leg was getting a whole different kind of deep tissue massage.

“Yeah, Mom–that sounds good,” I mumbled, dropping my bag to the floor in front of my locker. “I have to get going–”

“Of course–have a great day at practice, honey,” she hummed sweetly, sending me a kiss through the phone. “I’m glad that Mr.Thayer has been working out for you–I can just tell that this is your season, baby.”

The call ended with a few I love yous before tossing my phone in my locker to start getting changed. I wasn’t late by any means, but there was some urgency behind getting changed and out on that ice.

I hadn’t seen Thayer since this morning.

A large pit sat deep in my stomach, replaying every phone call I’d had with my mom over the last two months–every time I lied to her. I tried to ignore it and pretend it was nothing, but that pit got bigger after every call.

This was the first big thing I’d ever lied to her about.

Tightening the strap on my last pad, I looked up and found my magnet. My eyes locked on my man, biting back the smirk on my lips.

He was wearing a hoodie today, and it wasn’t nearly cold enough for that…

But that hickey on his neck was wholly unprofessional.

A snicker bubbled in my nose, the smirk hiding behind my mask as I passed by Thayer and Reed. I dropped my gloved hand, bumping Thayer’s hip.

We were good about keeping our hands to ourselves here, but I liked testing that boundary. I never did anything that would be too obvious, but making Thayer sweat a little was my favorite hobby.

“You could bring him,” Reed said. They were trailing behind me, following me out of the locker room and onto the ice. “I promise I won’t make any jokes about how old he is.”

“I’m good,” Thayer huffed, chuckling under his breath. “It’s not you I’m worried about–he’s a little…”

“Immature?” Reed finished. “I mean, he’s what? 23 or something? The kid has to be at least a little immature–”

“He’s not immature,” Thayer interrupted, offering me an uncomfortable side-eye as I stepped onto the ice.

They were talking about me.

Thayer had told me about telling Reed he was seeing someone my age a few days before, and I made my jokes about that. Those two went on more dates than Thay and I did, and he’d come back a little drunk and far more willing to play with me, but they were close.

They were friends.

Thayer was just trying to make sure I knew he didn’t think I was immature.

Now would be a bad time for him to check his phone–I sent him a few half-naked pictures before I left our place to come here.