Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey Book 2)
Face Offs & Cheap Shots: Chapter 13

I knew it was only a matter of time. When I’d gotten through changing this morning without anyone noticing, I’d hoped I was in the clear. But then Rossi had to go and see it, and now they won’t shut up.

When we arrive at the bar, we order drinks and take up a booth in the back. I’m still not sure how to feel about Beck shoving me into the locker room first earlier. My pride wants to be pissed, but my bank balance is definitely grateful.

Beck grins from beside me as Cohen starts his shit again.

“So what was the vamp like? I’m surprised she didn’t suck a tasty guy like you dry.”

My lips twitch. “Nah, that’s next time.” I let my gaze flick to Beck’s, and if I’m expecting the thought of sucking me off to panic him, I’m sorely mistaken. He still looks down for it to happen. And goddamn it, so am I.

I watch as Beck’s tongue quickly darts over his lips before he turns to Cohen. “Tasty guy? You sure there’s still nothing to tell us?”

Cohen flips him off, and I laugh along with the others. Cohen’s never gonna live all that kissing shit down now.

Beck’s distraction works because now the heat is off me and on Cohen. I take advantage of the distraction and lift my glass to my mouth.

“Well played,” I mutter.

His thigh presses harder against mine. “Wouldn’t want you found out, would we?”

I hide my cringe, but that doesn’t stop his words from hitting hard. Last night, I’d been a bit caught up in what happened and said some things that were unfair to him. Do I want the guys to know? Hell no. Do I want that at the expense of Beck feeling like shit?

I mean, I don’t think anything I say could make that happen, but I still feel like a dick anyway.

I down the rest of my beer and slide out of the booth to make my way back to the bar. It’s not like I can apologize, but at least buying him a drink might make me feel a little less like shit. I can’t afford to treat everyone here, but one isn’t going to kill me.

The bartender slides both drinks over as someone takes the spot to my left. I don’t even need to look to know it’s Beck. His expensive aftershave gives him away. I fight back my smile and nudge one of the drinks over.

“Topher,” he gasps. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“Just take the damn thing.”

“It’s poisoned, isn’t it? I didn’t realize you wanted to be captain that bad.”

“Or maybe I wanted to buy you a drink, so I bought you a drink.”

He cocks his head. “That doesn’t sound right.” Beck reaches over, but I snatch his hand before he can touch me. He starts to laugh. “Sure, holding my hand in the middle of the bar is much less suspicious than letting me touch your forehead.”

I drop his hand and quickly dart a look back to the guys. I’m being a dick again, I know I am, but if they haven’t shut up about the bite thinking it came from some random chick, what if they knew it came from Beck?

“You’re giving me ‘fuck me’ eyes again,” Beck taunts.

“What?”

“You know how that glare does it for me.”

He’s not bothering to keep his voice down, but none of our teammates are around and the people close to us aren’t paying attention. I relax a little. “Practice must be painful for you, then.”

“Very. Don’t think I missed the way you couldn’t take your eyes off me earlier.”

“I was just waiting for you to fuck up.”

“And yet it ended with you complimenting me. I thought hell had frozen over.”

I give a short laugh. “It won’t happen again.”

“Oh, I know it will.” He steps fractionally closer. “I’m not talking on the ice either. In a couple of hours, when I’m on my knees, it’ll be all ‘Beck, you’re the best I’ve ever had.’”

I choke. I’m not sure on what, but goddamn, that imagery … And of course Beck isn’t freaking out whatsoever. To live with that kind of confidence would make getting through life so much easier.

I wonder what it would be like, to not be constantly questioning everything. To not lie awake for hours, after Beck crept out of my room, and wonder what the hell happened. If having his dick in my hand went a long way toward breaking down some of the walls between us, what the hell will happen after I’ve had his cock in my mouth? Will we suddenly be best buds? That’s ridiculous.

My dick doesn’t seem to care though.

It doesn’t care if I like the guy or not, it just wants more.

And if that means sucking his cock … My dick twitches. Yeah, I’m down for that.

I’ve had those types of fantasies before, only I was imagining a different hockey player at the time. I wanted it back then, and Beck’s my chance to finally explore those questions about myself.

Before Beck can say anything to mess with my resolve, I drain my glass and nudge him forward. Feeling like I’ve lost my damn mind, I steer him toward the hall that leads to the bathrooms and has a door to a side alley.

Praying the door isn’t alarmed, I ease it open and when no sound rings out, I grab Beck and shove him through. He clearly hasn’t caught on by the time the door clicks closed and I push him against the wall. My knee slides between his legs.

“Couldn’t wait, huh, Topher?”

“Actually I really needed to shut you up.” I grab his face and press a hard kiss against his mouth that he quickly returns. And goddamn, the guy can kiss.

It occurs to me this is the first time I’ve kissed him and it not have been a total surprise. This time it was planned, this time I knew what was coming, and even though it was my call, it still catches me off guard. It’s like I forget exactly how good it is until his lips are back on mine, making me shake with need.

I groan and grab one of his legs to hitch up over my hip.

“Okay, how are you so damn strong?” he pants.

“Farm boy.” My lips replace his neck, and he lets out that laugh he does when nothing is funny, but he’s too overwhelmed for any other reaction.

“Why the fuck is that so hot?”

“Because it tells you I’m good with my hands.”

We’re both hard as hell, but Beck’s eyes have already taken on a glazed look that’s beyond addictive, so I force myself back. I’m not about to do something as dumb as blow him in an alley, but seeing the effect I’ve had on him has me feeling a bit smug.

“See you inside.”

“What? What about …” He gestures to his erection.

“Maybe it’s time you learned how to work for something.”

I leave him there and make my way to the front to get back into the bar. Thankfully, my dick cooperates because the ache fades by the time I’m back at the table. It takes Beck longer, and the smile I’m wearing when he finally returns feels so similar to the one he’s usually giving me, I can’t help but laugh.

“Finally!” Cohen calls when he catches sight of Beck. “We thought you ran off to get out of buying. Another round, Captain!”

“Not captain yet,” he grumbles, but he turns and heads for the bar.

Cohen slides in next to me and taps his knuckles on the table. “How you doing?”

I eye him. “Fine, why?”

“The whole captain thing.” His voice turns serious for a moment. “I know you really wanted it. Hell, I was all set to vote for you too.”

“I appreciate that, but fair’s fair, I guess.”

He hums.

“What?”

“Well, I mean, you didn’t have to send me those photos. The fact you did proves you deserve that C on your jersey this season, but come on. Are you seriously telling me you’re that ethical? You can’t stand Beck. You had the upper hand.”

It’s clear Cohen has no clue what he’s caught on to, but the questioning is a bit too close to what’s happening to be comfortable. “It’s the catamount statue. Word would’ve got around fast. You all would have found out eventually.”

“True …”

I’m not convinced he believes me, but Beck returns before I can push it. He sets out the drinks, and when he gets to me, he hands over a Coke.

“What the hell is this?”

He winks. “I’m doing the vamp a favor. No one likes a sloppy hookup, Topher.”

And that sets off the teasing again. Beck kicks back in his seat and watches it unfold, making it clear this is for leaving him high and dry.

I clench my jaw like I normally do when he starts his shit, but this time a smile slips out.

And I’m not sure who’s taken over my body, but when Beck reaches his legs across and presses his foot against mine, the teasing becomes easy to drown out.

Fuck you, I mouth.

The asshole blows me a kiss.