Page 86 of Blue Line

I still can’t help wondering if maybe Wes is settling by being with me. But I’ll do my best to enjoy things between us, and I’ll deal with whatever the future holds as best I can when it comes to pass.

Chapter thirty-three

Wes

I’m pulling my skates on in the locker room a few days later when Holt strolls in.

“Hey, man,” I greet him.

“Hey. How are things?” He goes over to his stall, pulls out his goalie gear, and starts to get dressed.

“Can’t complain,” I say, finishing tying my skates.

“Is everything still going well with Hadley?”

His question has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. Why is he asking that?

“Yes? We’re together?” Why does it keep coming out as a question? Hadley and I are both adults. Holt is my best friend. He won’t care that I’m dating his sister. I square my shoulders. “I care about your sister a lot, and I’m pretty sure she feels the same way.”

“Oh, really.” He smirks at me. “What an interesting turn of events.”

Before I can ask him what he means, the locker-room door swings open, and Elias and Sebastian come pouring in.

“Hey, E. Welcome back, Sebastian,” Holt says.

Sebastian strides over to Holt and collapses onto the bench next to him. “Hey, man. We keep missing each other. How was your trip?” He nudges Holt with his shoulder. “Have you asked her the big question yet?”

What? My attention swings from Holt to Sebastian. Is he implying what I think he is?

“We’ve been over this before. Becca and I aren’t rushing into anything. One thing at a time,” Holt says.

“But you bought a ring?” Sebastian asks.

Holt pulls at the back of his neck, his face turning red.

“Leave the poor guy alone,” Elias says. “He’s going at his own pace. How’s your dating life?”

“I don’t have time for that,” Sebastian responds.

“Because he’s too hung up on Sutton,” I mutter to Elias, who has taken a seat next to me.

“Am not,” Sebastian protests.

I shake my head. I’ve missed this. The guys being here, hanging out in the locker room, on the ice. The gang is still not all here since Hunter is home with Madison, who is due any day now, but still, it’s good to hang out. I make a mental note to call Hunter after this workout to see if he and Madison are up for guests. Maybe Hadley and I can swing by later tonight, bring them dinner. Or I can go sit with Madison so Hunter can get a workout in.

I get to my feet. Enough dillydallying. I need to get a skate in so I can get home to my girl.

“See you all later. Unless you want to skate?” I glance between Elias and Sebastian.

“Nah, man, weights only for me today,” Elias says.

“Same. Maybe tomorrow,” says Sebastian.

I nod, grab my stick, and head out onto the ice.

“Did you miss me?” I yell a few hours later when I stride into my apartment, a takeout bag from the taco place we’ve come to love in my hand. “I come bearing food.”

I’m met with silence. I saw Hadley’s car in the parking lot, so I assumed she was home. I suppose it’s possible someone picked her up. I toe off my shoes and pad into the kitchen.