Page 59 of Date With Skates

“Don’t stay out too late.”

“Yes, Daddy,” I say with a smirk.

He gives me the middle finger, and we finish changing so we can get the hell out of here.

Staff will take care of the equipment since we flew in. It’ll go back on the bus that’ll take us to the airport tomorrow evening. Don’t really give a shit about my gear right now, though. I just want a beer or two, and then get to bed and sleep, then head home. Not that I have anything there to make me feel better, but at least it’s better than being here.

I leave out the back, ducking my head and walking until I find the nearest bar, which is about three blocks. It’s also not as crowded as I’d expect it to be after a game, but it’ll probably get worse. The bar is full, and so are the tables, with a few people standing around. It would be nice to sit, but I can’t be picky right now. I squeeze in between two people sitting at the bar and order myself a drink.

I pay, grabbing the beer and turning to find a corner to sulk in, when I nearly bump into someone.

“Shit—”

It takes a moment for me to see who I almost bump into. I blink a bunch of times, certain I can’t be staring Étienne in the eyes. He can’t be here. That’s impossible. Did I take a harder hit on the ice than I thought?

“Nico?” I say when I spot him beside him.

“Of course you say his name first,” Étienne complains, throwing his arms up.

“I’m sorry, I just—”

“I know.” Étienne bats his eyelashes. “You’re so happy to see me that you can’t form the words.”

And it’s true. Especially when he’s standing in front of me, swimming in my Diamonds sweatshirt that I gave him.

I huff a laugh. “Nothing changes.”

He leans up on his toes and whispers, “That’s what you love about me.”

Again, I can’t form words, so I just stare at him.

“Okay, well, as much as I’d love to stand around and watch you two flirt with each other, I’d really like to know where Roman is,” Nico says. “Did he go to the bathroom?”

“He’s not here,” I say.

Nico scoffs. “Then where is he?”

“At the hotel.”

“Told you,” Étienne hisses at him.

“Remember what we talked about,” Nico calls out as he heads for the door.

Étienne rolls his eyes.

I smirk. “What did you talk about?”

“Not getting cum on his bed.”

I grit my teeth, putting my full beer down on the bar and grabbing Étienne’s arm to hurry after Nico.

“We’re coming with you!” Étienne calls out loud enough that Nico can hear him.

Nico looks over his shoulder. “I’m not waiting for you!”

Étienne laughs as we hurry after him, and we go to the hotel. I tell Nico which room to go to and Étienne guides me to theirs.

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” I say once we’re in their room.