23. Bennett

Bennett

The heat of Arizona hit me as soon as I stepped off the plane, but it was nothing compared to the fire that surged through my veins. The word ecstatic didn't adequately describe the way I felt – I'd been called up by the Pasadena Pythons, just in time for their away game against the Tucson Cardinals. Pythons wanted to have a couple of backup players available, since they anticipated needing additional support during a busy part of the season.

When I entered the arena where the team was practicing, the locker room was already abuzz with activity. The familiar scent of sweat and leather filled the air, and the guys greeted me with cheers and backslaps. Most of them knew me from my previous stints on the team, filling in when players were injured or otherwise unavailable. But this time was different; this time, I was determined to make the opportunity stick.

"Bennett!" The voice cut through the cacophony of player chatter, pulling me out of my own thoughts. I turned to see Angus Steele, the left wing who'd once been my teammate back in the day, at a time when we"d shared locker room banter and post-game beers. His approach was confident, his hand already extended in greeting.

"It"s been ages, man." I shook his hand, even as I took note of his well-kept appearance – he looked like life had been treating him well.

"Bennett, you old dog," he responded with a hearty clap on my shoulder. "Still tearing it up in LA?"

I nodded. The question fell heavy in the air between us, but it could have just been me and my stupid insecurities about not reaching my full potential on the ice. "Doing what I can," I said, feeling an invisible weight settling on my shoulders.

For a split second, an unexpected surge of jealousy coursed through me. It wasn"t about Angus's success or his effortless charm; it was about Xander. My mind flashed back to a time when I thought my boyfriend might have felt something for Angus – a pang that still managed to sting even now.

But just as quickly as it came, the moment passed and I found myself laughing at one of Angus's jokes – nostalgia replacing jealousy as we reminisced about our shared past in hockey. Our conversation flowed easily back and forth like a well-practiced drill on ice.

While Angus and I exchanged playful jabs, my thoughts strayed to Xander, my partner in love and life. I found myself envisioning a future where we both had made it to the NAPH, skating on the same team. It was more than just a dream; it was a wild aspiration that seemed almost too good to be true. As lovers, as teammates, as each other"s constant support – we would live the fantasy together. My sunshine's laid-back personality would blend seamlessly into any environment, his easy smile lighting up locker rooms and post-game celebrations alike.

Some of the other Pythons congratulated me and exchanged friendly words. Their encouragement fueled my determination even more: I needed to seize this chance and show everyone, including myself, that I belonged at this level.

We geared up for practice, and I took a moment to steel myself. I could feel Xander"s presence with me, his love and support giving me the strength to face the games ahead.

Stepping onto the ice for practice, the chill of the rink seeped into my bones. The familiar scrape of blades against the surface echoed around me as my temporary teammates zipped past, focused and intense. My heart raced with anticipation, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment, grounding myself. Stay focused. You"ve trained for this.

Coach Hicketts called out to me, his voice carrying over the icy expanse of the rink. "Give them a taste of your talent, Bennett."

My heart pounded as I pushed off from the edge, my blades slicing through the ice with a satisfying crunch. The world blurred around me as I gathered speed. The cold air whipped against my face. I could almost taste the anticipation in the air – tonight was game night and we were all itching to get out there.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my temporary teammates Luke Wylie and Casimir Krygier huddled at one end of the rink, their heads bowed in intense conversation. Their sticks tapped rhythmically against the ice – non-verbal communication that only hockey players understood.

Over by the goalpost, Jordan Dell was crouched low, like a cat ready to pounce. His eyes darted back and forth as he anticipated each incoming shot. His gloved hand moved with lightning speed, snatching almost every puck out of mid-air.

"Ace! Hayes! Gus! Get your asses over here!" Coach Hicketts barked out orders to our forwards, Akeem, Hayden and Angus, who were idly skating around. They instantly fell into line and skated toward Coach, their faces serious but determined.

I slowed down when Coach beckoned me to join the other forwards. We shared curt nods – an unspoken pact that we were prepared for whatever came our way.

"As forwards," Coach Hicketts started once we had all assembled around him, "you are key tonight."

His words hung heavy in the crisp air as we absorbed them. This wasn"t just another game; it was THE game and we all knew what was at stake. The Pythons hadn't been doing that great this season, the antithesis to how we Grizzlies were performing in our league.

I tightened my grip on my stick, the puck sniper. The worn texture of its handle provided a comforting anchor amidst the adrenaline coursing through my body. Let"s do this… for ourselves… for our team… for victory... After Coach issued some instructions, the forwards went about our drills while he summoned the defensemen.

"Nice work, Bennett," Angus called out, grinning, as he effortlessly maneuvered around me. "Keep it up."

"Thanks, man," I panted, sweat already forming on my brow. One shift at a time. Make every play count.

Later that night during the game against the Cardinals, I was filled with a mix of nerves and excitement. The arena buzzed with energy and the crowd roared with excitement. The Cardinals had home ice advantage.

My palms were damp in my gloves, but I refused to let my anxiety get the better of me.

As soon as the puck dropped, the game exploded into action. We battled fiercely, exchanging scoring opportunities and delivering hits with brutal precision. My heart raced in my chest, fueled by a surge of adrenaline.

I was immediately struck by the heightened intensity of the game at the major league level, as I usually was when I got these golden opportunities to play there. The pace was faster, the hits harder, and I fought to hold my own, determined to make an impression. As I weaved through my temporary teammates, I could almost envision Xander beside me, his steel-blue eyes shining with pride and encouragement.

When I scored the first goal, a rush of happiness flooded through me, lifting my spirits.

"Way to go, Bennett!" Luke Wylie shouted, clapping my shoulder with a grin.

"Keep it up, boys!" Coach Hicketts shouted from the bench, yet his voice was barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

We continued to dominate, and when the final horn sounded, we emerged victorious with a score of 3-0 against the Cardinals. The locker room erupted in cheers and celebrations, and I was swept up in the euphoria of the win.

"Great job out there today, Bennett," Angus said as I towelled off my sweat-soaked hair.

"Thanks," I replied, unable to keep the grin from my face. "Couldn"t have done it without you guys."

We were a whirlwind of excitement, exchanging high fives, fist bumps, and hugs as we celebrated our victory. Exhausted but elated, we headed to the hotel, knowing that rest was essential for us to perform well again tomorrow. No time for lingering celebrations; it was back to business as we aimed for another win.

The adrenaline from the game still pulsed through my veins, making it hard to wind down, but I couldn"t wait to share my excitement with Xander. As soon as the team got back to the hotel, I headed up to my room, grateful that I wasn"t sharing it with another player. My heart still raced as I stripped down to my boxer briefs and picked up my phone. With a quick swipe, I FaceTimed my boyfriend.

And there he was, in all his naked glory.

In our bed.

I drank in the sight, a feast for my starved eyes. His golden hair tumbled down like cascading sunlight, catching the dim light in our bedroom and turning it into a halo around his head.

It was no secret that my boyfriend was hot, and I counted myself lucky to get to touch him, taste him, breathe him in to my heart's content. But now that we were hundreds of miles away from each other, I appreciated the gift that he was even more. His body was a work of art, every muscle sculpted as though by an artist with an eye for beauty and strength combined. His broad frame filled my vision, each contour and curve etched into my mind like lines on a map leading to undiscovered treasures.

And there... Oh God! The sight of his cock left me breathless. Long and thick, it stood proudly against his thigh, commanding attention yet not demanding it. It was just another part of him – natural, unashamed.

A wave of desire washed over me. My heart pounded as my gaze roamed over him again and again. The raw masculinity emanating from him was intoxicating; I felt drunk on it.

"Damn," I whispered to myself under my breath as I watched him unabashedly. He's fucking beautiful… and he's mine. "Hey, Sunshine." My voice was gruff. "How was the game against SF?" We Grizzlies had had a home game against the San Francisco Falcons. While I was away in Arizona, one of the reserves had stepped up to fill my spot on the ice.

"We barely scraped by, but we pulled off the win. Final score ended up 4-3," Xander leaned in, grin widening.

I raised an eyebrow. "You come through with that goal you promised?"

He chuckled. "Not just one, but two. Tank and Jester each snagged one too."

"Hell yeah, that"s what I"m talking about."

"And what about you? Keep your end of the bargain?"

"Got it done, 3-0. Nail-biter from start to finish. Potted the first one; Steele handled the rest."

His grin lit up my world. "Congratulations, baby. I knew you"d crush it. How"s my ice tiger?"

"Grrr." Who would have thought I could be this childlike? "I'll ignore the fact that you just called me that."

He laughed, and I fucking missed that sound deep in my bones. "I love you, Berry."

"Love you more. Wish you were here with me."

His expression changed, heat flaring in his eyes. "Prove it." His words were a husky demand, and I swallowed hard. "Show me just how much you miss me."

I glanced around my hotel room. It was obviously empty, but still, the thrill of possibly getting caught made my cock twitch. Pulse racing, I tugged at the waistband of my boxer briefs. My cock sprang free, slapping my stomach. "Like what you see?"

Xander"s breath hitched. "Fuck, Ry, that"s... I want to taste it." His voice was hoarse, and I could practically feel his mouth on me. "I want to taste you, hear you moan my name."

"Oh, fuck, Sunshine. I wish you could for real." I slipped my underwear down my legs and tossed it beside me on the bed. My hand wrapped around my shaft, stroking myself to full hardness.

"I know, baby, me too. But for now, just think about me, got it? When you"re touching yourself, pretend it"s me, okay?"

"Yeah, I can do that." I mumbled, my mind swirling with images of Xander on his knees, those perfect, pouty lips wrapped around my cock.

"That"s it, Ry," Xander cooed, his voice like honey. "Tell me how you"d fuck me if I were there."

"I"d tease you first, strip you slowly, trail kisses down your body, until you were begging for me."

"God, Ry," Xander moans. "I"d beg, baby, I"d beg for you."

I moaned, stroking myself faster. "I"d spread you open, tease your hole with my tongue until you were trembling. Then I"d tease just the tip of my cock inside."

My lover's hand was on his dick, matching my movements, stroke for stroke. "Ry, fuck," Xander whimpered, and I could hear the desperation in his voice. "Ry, I want you. I want you so bad."

"I know, Sunshine, I know." I growled. "I want you too. I"d make you feel so good." My hand worked me faster now. "I"d slide in your hole, inch by inch, taking my time, savoring every moan, every gasp you made."

"Fuck, Ry, yes," Xander cried out, and I could see him, thighs trembling, fingers gripping the sheets. "Faster, Ry, I can"t take it anymore!"

"I"d fuck you so hard," I managed through gritted teeth, eyes closed, my orgasm barreling towards me, images of Xander"s face behind my lids, his sounds of ecstasy fueling my fire. "And when I came, I"d fill you up, marking you as mine."

"Ry!" Xander shouts. I knew that sound. Sunshine was coming. "Oh God, Ry, that"s... that"s..."

My orgasm crashed over me, and I breathed Xander"s nickname like a prayer. "Sunshine, fuck, Sunshine."

After we caught our breath, I was finally able to speak, my voice husky. "Next time, I"ll be the one on my knees for you."