Page 11 of Melt His Heart

“Hey, man! I grabbed your drink!” The red-haired man says, who I see Carson with often on the ice and on his social, and who I’m assuming is The Sam.

“Thanks, Sam. By the way, you know Julian,” Carson says and turns to me a bit. I grab Sam’s hand, he’s holding out to me, and we shake.

“Yeah, I see you around the ice, but we never got to chat. Nice to meet you, and sorry about us leaving the gym a mess.” I turn to glare at Carson, who’s laughing. I can’t believe he told them I was fussing over that. But I mean, they were leaving it a mess.

“Oh no, it’s absolutely fine,” I say, and he smiles at me. He seems really nice, and I can see how he and Carson would become close.

“Well, let me get you a drink too, actually!”

“Why, thank you, that would be amazing,” I say before we start for the living room, where most of the players are chatting.

“Hey, you! Good game!” One of the players says, grinning at Carson.

They all greet him when he walks further into the room, some of the players tapping their beer bottles against his. I find myself smiling at how loved he is.

“Sup, guys, good job out there, everyone,” Carson says with a little smirk before raising his beer and taking a long sip. The room erupts in cheers, and I chuckle, watching them follow suit with their drinks.

“Here you are, don’t know if you like beer.” Sam returns, holding out an open bottle for me.

“No, this is great, thank you, Sam,” I say before taking a sip.

Carson walks back over to Sam and me, some of the players following behind him to join us around the couch. Here we go, the part I’ve been dreading, I have to speak. Carson comes and stands next to giving me a small smile. I think he’s checking on me. So, I try not to look like I’m three seconds from passing out.

“Hey, I’m Dillan! This is Kane!” One of Carson’s teammates grins down at me, his smile is bright. He gestures to another player. His hair is jet black, his eyes dark and sleepy. Carson is the most handsome, but Kane definitely comes in a close second.

They’re all so tall too.

Is this a requirement for hockey?

“Hi, I’m Julian,” I mumble, giving them a little wave.

“So Julian, how long have you been skating for?” Sam asks, and the rest of the guys turn their interest to me.

“Oh, since I was a kid. I started competing shortly after hitting the ice, just local competitions though.”

“Shit, that sounds amazing, I watch figure skating sometimes, it’s cool you guys go out there and do it all alone on the ice and all those jumps!” He replies, nodding.

“It’s insane when you think about it, how the hell do you get off the ground, let alone spin?” Dillan chimes in, “Yeah, actually, I don’t think I’ve ever played a sport that wasn’t a team sport, gotta be a little lonely…” Sam adds.

“Oh, sometimes…I guess it’s a little lonely, but I’m used to it cause that’s the way it’s always been, I suppose.” I stammer.

I feel warmth at my lower back. It’s Carson’s hand; he’s drawing small circles against my clothed skin there. The touch creates a path of heat that spreads through the rest of my body.

I lean in, the contact comforts me.

“I think that’s even more admirable, no?” Carson says, giving me a small smile, and I feel so elated hearing this for some reason.

“Takes a lot of grit,” Dillan says, Kane nodding a little next to him.

“Um, hell yeah, I’d probably be shit at figure skating. No, I know I’d be shit.” Sam chuckles before sipping his drink. The rest of the guys laugh and nod in agreement with him.

“I mean, yeah, but you guys are amazing too. I had never been to a hockey game. It was really exciting.” I say, “and I always see you guys working hard, I don’t think I’d be a very good team player.” I chuckle, and surprisingly, the rest of the guys laugh with me, making me blush.

“Thanks, and thanks for coming too!” Dillan beams.

“Yeah, thanks, and hey, we’d love to support you too sometime, so let us know when your next competition is. Not sure we can have the entire team show up, but we’ll host a watch party for you!” Sam says, and I smile. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone have a watch party for my skate.

“Oh sure, of course, I’ll….let Carson know.” I take another sip from my beer, my hands shaking a little. I smile, hoping I’m not coming off as a complete nervous wreck as I feel. Carson’s hand is still at my lower back. I nibble at my lip when he smiles down at me.