11. Bennett

Bennett

A few days had passed since our fishing trip and the night Xander crashed on my couch. Since then, things had been… different. Not in a bad way, but there was a subtle shift in our dynamic, an underlying tension between us that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

The team was still on our winning streak. Tomorrow we'd be heading out to face St. Louis. Spirits were high, each player pushing their limits, sweat dripping off brows onto the icy rink beneath.

Yet amidst my passion for the game, I couldn't stop thinking about Xander. I was like a moth drawn to light. It was a distraction that left me confused.

I"ve always been laser-focused on two things: hockey and family. This was new territory for me, my heart pounding at the mere thought of him, my stomach churning with a cocktail of emotions I couldn"t figure out.

Was this newfound preoccupation something I wanted? My mind grappled with it even as my heart made its decision.

Xander was the most complicated, uncomplicated person I'd ever met. Coming from old money, he could have easily embodied the arrogance and narcissism often associated with the elite, but he was the exact opposite. Despite being college educated, he approached everything with a childlike wonder, even something as simple as learning how to fillet fish! His innocence was a refreshing contrast to a world tainted by hate, selfishness, and greed. Yet, along with the confusion swirling within me, there was an unexpected joy that bubbled up whenever he crossed my mind.

The shrill cry of Coach's whistle marked the end of practice, and a collective sigh of relief swept through the rink. The ice surface, previously a battleground of focus and determination, transformed into a playground as my teammates" energy morphed from intense to jovial as they fooled around. Jester and Maestro were the first to break formation, their blades carving erratic paths in the ice as they chased each other around the rink. Tank was next, his hulking frame attempting trick shots.

Xander skated up to me with a grin plastered across his face, "Come on, Grumpleberry, have some fun."

Apparently his taunt was all the urging I needed.

I found myself drawn into their antics, an unfamiliar sensation bubbling up inside me – laughter. It was an odd feeling; usually I"d remain on the sidelines after practice, indulging in solitary drills while others goofed around. But today was different.

"You call that a slapshot?" Xander's words were playful jabs.

My retort came out quicker than I expected, "Pretty big talk for a guy who nearly fell over on his last shot." I was sure the grin on my face matched Xander"s.

In response, he lunged at me, trying to knock the puck away. A sudden burst of energy propelled me forward as I dodged him and took off across the ice. Xander was right behind me; our chase weaving through Jester, Maestro and Tank, who'd stopped their frolicking on the ice and looked on with surprise etched onto their faces.

My heart pounded against my chest as laughter echoed off the arena walls – it was exhilarating! Attempting to evade Xander by maneuvering around the arena proved futile; he was faster than anticipated. We ended up standing there panting heavily, grinning like two fools caught in mischief.

"I guess I won this round," Xander said confidently, his face so close I could feel his warm breath against my skin.

"Yeah, yeah... Beginner"s luck," I replied dismissively but the smile stayed on my face.

Then confusion washed over me as I skated away; this wasn"t like me. Why did I feel happy and lighter than I had in a long time?

When the guys left, Xander and I remained on the rink. His devilish grin flashed in my direction before he lunged, swiping my hockey stick – my puck sniper – from my hands. The audacity! My focus had slipped for a mere second, and he"d seized his chance.

But I wasn"t one to be outdone. I dove for my stolen property. His laughter echoed through the arena. He held my stick hostage behind his back, challenging me with gleaming eyes.

Not to be deterred, I closed in on him. A rush of adrenaline surged through me like an electric current, igniting every nerve ending. My hand found its way around his lean waist while my other arm locked him against me.

"Hand it over, Sunshine."

The scent of his cologne and sweat filled my senses – it was unmistakably Xander – an intoxicating blend that made my heart pound harder against my chest. Our playful scuffle continued as we both wrestled for control over the stick.

I could see every detail of his face – the way his eyes sparkled with mischief, the curve of his lips, the way his hair fell slightly over his forehead. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a pull, a magnetic force drawing me closer to him.

Then everything stilled.

His laughter evaporated into thin air and his body tensed against mine. His breath hitched audibly in his throat. His lips parted slightly while his wide eyes bore into mine – intense and unreadable.

My heart tripped over itself in response to this sudden shift – the silence was deafening now. The feel of Xander pressed against me became all too apparent; every angle and curve of his body matched perfectly against mine.

A lump formed in my throat that I forced down with difficulty as heat spread through me like wildfire – spreading from my chest outwards, reaching every corner of my body. The world disappeared as I became hyper-aware of the man in my arms and the stick that lay forgotten between us.

A strange, exhilarating thrill coursed through my veins, a sensation that was entirely new. I'd never responded like this to anyone before. My heartbeat quickened, thudding against my ribs as if trying to leap out of my chest.

My pants felt suddenly tighter, the fabric straining against the unexpected hardness, undeniable proof of my body"s reaction to him. A hot flush crept up my neck and spread across my cheeks.

"Ry…" Xander's voice was soft, almost a whisper, and it sent a wave of tingles through me.

Panic surged through me. What the hell was I doing? This was Xander, my teammate, my friend. I couldn't – shouldn't – be feeling this way. I stepped back abruptly, breaking the moment.

"I… I gotta go." My voice sounded strange to my own ears.

"Ry, wait–"

I was already moving, gliding swiftly.

I didn't stop until I was outside, the cool air hitting me like a slap in the face. I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath and calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. What is happening to me? Why am I suddenly feeling things I've never felt before?

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. We had a game to focus on. I needed to push these confusing feelings aside and concentrate on what was important.