9. Sage

CHAPTER 9

SAGE

A light blanket of snow covers the trees and forest floor. Morgan turns the car down the path and the cabin we've rented for the night comes into view. The large rancher sleeps ten, and we'll fill it to capacity.

I lean forward, staring out the window. Snow and pine, all around us. The forecast calls for more snow tonight and tomorrow. "Looks peaceful."

"Or creepy," Remy chimes in from the back seat. "Come on, a lonely cabin in the woods?"

"There's, like, a bunch more. It's a campsite. Not an isolated mountaintop." And we're within an hour's drive of Minneapolis. I note the walkway and steps have been cleared of snow.

"But we're the only ones here. No other cabins are rented." He juts out his chin. "I heard that part of your conversation when you booked this today."

Grinning at him and his need to be right, I grab my phone to check Rhys's ETA. "Okay, taking that into account, this is a lonely cabin in an uninhabited, vast forest. Total spooky vibes."

He bites the head off a gummy worm. "Thank you."

Morgan turns the car off. "Okay, children. Let's go. Gio's pulling in right now."

We climb out of the car. I grab our overnight bags from the trunk and get the cabin's front door unlocked. The leasing office made sure the heat was on for us. We have a full kitchen and two baths, a TV, Wi-Fi, beds, and comfortable looking furniture. Not exactly the camping Rhys does, but we're still in winter, and this was the best I could come up with on short notice.

Originally, Jonas suggested dinner at a steakhouse to celebrate Rhys's birthday, but since Coach gave us tomorrow off, we opted to surprise Rhys with something bigger.

Returning outside, I pull Phil into a hug. "Quality time with the fam. Thanks for coming. And for baking Rhys's cake."

Gio's next, squeezing me. "Thanks for inviting us. Feels like we've been two ships… no wait." He points to Phil, himself, Remy, Morgan, Soren, and me. "Six ships passing in the night. No, I was right the first time. Three of you on the Metros. Three of us on the Slash. Therefore, two ships."

"Missed you, whatever the number of ships." Laughing, I release him and gently hug Soren, careful of his crutches. "How's the hamstring?"

The rubber ends of the crutches thunk with his hobble up the cleared steps. He got the tear during a game a week ago. Eight weeks estimated recovery means he's done for the season. "I'm allowed to put some weight on it now. I've been walking around the house. Got tired of my apartment, so I'm annoying Phil and Gio in theirs."

"You can hang out in mine for a change of pace." I hold the door open for him and the others.

Morgan follows him inside, carrying two bags of groceries. "Or mine."

"Or mine." Remy has the bag with snacks. The open bag of gummy worms sticks out of the top.

Soren eases himself onto a plush chair by the picture window. "I shudder at the thought of all of those stairs."

Phil places the covered cake on the kitchen table. "Where's Rhys and crew?"

"They should be here any minute."

We're coming off playing St. Louis yesterday and our road trip to Anaheim and Los Angeles earlier this week, and recording wins in all. My point streak has continued and I hope to keep the momentum going after the next four game-free days. The break will be good for the injured guys to heal up a bit going into the last four weeks of the season.

"They're here," Soren calls.

I hurry to open the door, anxious over what Rhys will think of the place. The four friends walk up the path, carrying their overnight bags, with Rhys at the front of the line. "Happy almost Birthday."

He bends and kisses me. "This place is great."

My muscles loosen and I quietly exhale as I step back to allow Maxim, Jonas, and Quinn to enter too. "There are a lot of hiking trails and views of the river valley."

"I can't wait to check them out." He sets his bag down. "This is already one of my favorite birthdays."

The room fills with the chaos of ten people exchanging hellos, hugs, and happy birthdays to Rhys. We stow away groceries and check out the sleeping arrangements. The guys let Rhys and me have one of the private bedrooms and give Phil and Gio the other. Maxim, Jonas, and Quinn take a bedroom with two sets of bunkbeds, and the rest of my housemates claim the loft.

Jonas and Soren make coffee for everyone and we gather around the large, open concept living room and kitchen, making plans for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Sitting on the couch, with my legs in Rhys's lap, I nudge my foot into his thigh. "I want to do a small hike before it gets dark."

"I'm in." He strokes his hand along my calf. I'm glad I'm sitting and wearing this sweatshirt so people can't see my dick reacting to the touch.

"There's a pool table in game room." Sitting on the floor by the fireplace, Quinn looks expectantly at Morgan.

Morgan raises a brow over his mug. "It's a kids' pool table."

"So?"

"Everything is smaller. We'll have to play on our knees."

Quinn grins. "What I'm hearing is, this could be a challenge."

"Fine. Challenge accepted." He stands, shoving a hand through his hair. "You think it'll be easier or harder? Trick shots might need some adjustments." The pair wander off.

Maxim raises his mug for Jonas to refill with a murmured thanks . "We won't see them for the rest of the day."

Jonas pours the remainder of the pot into Soren's mug. "Soren, can you hike? I know what that injury is like. The hamstring tear I had a few years back was a bitch."

"I'm only doing very short distances, so I'll stay back." He turns his smile to me. "I was missing home, so seeing all the trees and snow is nice. Thank you for bringing us."

Of all of us, he holds the most inside. A lump in my throat, I nod. "Of course."

Jonas returns the coffeepot to the maker. "I'll stay back, too. Keep Soren company."

The rest of us, minus the pool players, bundle into hats, coats, gloves, and boots, appropriate for temperatures falling below thirty degrees, and set off on the closest trail.

The snow makes everything seem hushed, but our group is definitely not quiet. Remy and Morgan chat league gossip with Maxim, Phil and Gio talk with Rhys about players they mutually know from earlier in their careers. And I'm content to hold Rhys's hand, soaking up the good feelings I get whenever I hang out with my favorite people, beyond happy that all of our friends are getting along.

We reach the overlook point. Light snowflakes fall, turning the forest into a snow globe. The view of the Saint Croix River Valley is peaceful and pretty, with the light blanket of white covering the trees and hills. I take slow breaths in and out, focusing on the tingle of cold air, the rustling of branches in the wind, the crunch of snow beneath our boots, and the crisp scent of winter.

Rhys wraps his arm around me. "This is nice. It's good to get away. Have a change of scenery. I haven't been camping in the winter yet."

"I love the quiet. How still everything is." I've been with the Metros for close to a month, see Rhys nearly every day, and sometimes, how attractive he is still takes my breath away. "I know this isn't your version of camping?—"

"It's perfect. That you thought of it, and wanted to do this for me, makes this even more perfect." Holding my hand, he draws me farther up the hill, over a boulder half the size of me. "I'm always happy to tag along anywhere with you. Maybe you'd want to tag along with me somewhere?"

"Where?"

"I know we talked about it early on, but my lake house. It's about three hours north of here. I have forty acres. It's very private. Peaceful and quiet." He brushes snow from my hat, then bends and presses his cold lips to mine. The tease of his tongue leaves me chasing his mouth for more. "I really want to take you there this summer."

Making plans for the future, I want that with him. "I'd be willing to try tent camping while we're there."

He traces his finger over my cheek. "There's a lot I want to try with you."

"Guys," Phil calls. "We should head back. The sun's setting, and we don't want to be traipsing around in the dark."

"Coming." I hop off the boulder and wait for Rhys to jump. "You spend most of the off-season there?"

"I do. Outside of seeing my family for a few days or any trips the guys want to take."

"I'll talk to Phil and Gio, see what renovations they want to tackle. But I definitely want to come."

"The guys are welcome to come too." He angles his head at my friends. "There's plenty of room. Jonas always stays for a while. Maxim and Quinn visit."

He's caring and protective, generous with his time and with his things, and he holds his friends as close as I hold mine.

As we walk over fallen branches, rocks, dry leaves, and snow, I think about what an impact Rhys has made on me in these last few months.

He's made me believe in myself a little bit more, and he likes the parts of me that I thought were unlikeable, and definitely unlovable. I care more for him than I have for anyone in a long time. I want more with him, more of creating playlists and watching movies, dissecting hockey plays and discussing life, exploring road trip cities and having sex in the hotel room, high-fiving each other after goals and holding each other as we sleep.

Just more. Just with Rhys.

I'm falling in love with him.

I cling to his hand a little tighter. It's too soon, isn't it? We've only known each other for two months. But I can't help how I feel.

By the time we return to the cabin, the sky is almost dark. Remy, Phil, and Gio make dinner and we eat spread out around the living room and kitchen.

Quinn gets a fire going in the fire pit and Remy takes over setting up everyone's roasting sticks for s'mores. The ten of us gather around the fire, wrapped in coats and blankets, drinking beers and eating the gooey treats. I can picture us doing this again at Rhys's lake house.

We stay up late, talking around the fire, and I fall asleep leaning against Rhys, warmed by the flames. Though I wake up enough to stumble along with him to bed, my plan to take advantage of scoring one of the private bedrooms fails as soon as I hit the pillow. I surrender to sleep, secure in his arms.

The late morning sun is bright over fresh snow. About three inches fell overnight, adding to what was already here. Cold wind sweeps across the clearing in front of the house, stealing my breath for a moment.

"Are you sure this is okay?" I hold the door open for Soren, making sure he can maneuver without issue behind me. Quinn cleared the steps and walkway earlier.

"The doctor said I could ditch the crutches when I wanted. I'm going slow and you'll be my guide dog. I just want to be out here with everyone and breathing in the scent of snow and pine."

With a bark, I hold out my arm and he links us together. The plan is to do a lap around the house's perimeter and maybe venture a bit into the woods behind the house.

Rhys and I woke early and watched the sunrise together, then hiked for a few hours. We returned to a breakfast made by Quinn and Morgan, and then everyone disbursed for hiking, napping, relaxing inside, and exploring the woods. Checkout's not until three this afternoon, so we have plenty of time.

We walk a few feet away from the house. Soren's smile is wide. "This is nice."

Something smacks into my back. I turn my head and see the small pile of snow atop an undisturbed layer beside the walkway.

Several feet away, Jonas is grinning while his hands crunch together, creating another snowball to wreak havoc.

"Hey," I yell. "That could've hit Soren."

Laughing, he lightly tosses and catches the newly crafted snowball. "If I wanted it to, it would have. I have great aim."

"His shooting accuracy is very good." Soren pats my hand. "Almost as good as my reflexes. If I saw it coming, I could've caught it."

"You can't see what's coming from behind you." We take another few steps.

Across the yard, emerging from the trees, Maxim yells, "Damn it, Jonas."

Soren grins at Maxim stalking across the clearing with snowball remnants clinging to the chest of his fur coat. "He struck again."

Yet another ball pelts Morgan on the thigh.

"Hey!" He drops the pinecone in his hand and crouches, gathering up snow. "Oh, it's on, Jonas."

The front door opens and Rhys steps outside. "What's going on?"

Laughing, I watch Morgan and Maxim lob snowballs at Jonas in a two-pronged attack. "I think we're witnessing the start of a snowball fight."

"Rhys!" Jonas yells. "I need backup."

"He also started it." I feel inclined to point that out.

Shrugging, Rhys jogs into the clearing. "Teammates help teammates."

"Hey," I call, " we're teammates."

He stops, pivots, then jogs back to us. "He got you?"

"I think I was his first victim."

He holds up his hand like he's taking a solemn oath. "I will avenge you." Kneeling, he packs snow in his gloves, then fires it with a battle cry. The ball scores a direct hit to Jonas's calf.

Jonas stares at him in shock. "What the hell?"

Laughing, I lean into Soren. "Where do you want to go?"

"I wanna be part of this." He cranes his neck. "Quinn, can you bring over one of the chairs from the fire pit for me?"

"Coming." Quinn launches a snowball at Maxim, then jogs off.

Soren points to a section closer to the house, beside a snow drift. "I think there."

We take slow steps in that direction as the melee unfolds behind us. Quinn puts the chair where Soren wants, then drops down and makes three snowballs in quick succession. He fires them at Jonas, Rhys, and Morgan, then runs off toward the tree line.

Soren eases onto the seat. "I'll be fine. You should go help Morgan. I'll text Remy and tell him to get out here. Slash house unites."

I glance at the woods. "Phil and Gio aren't back yet."

"I'll text them too, in case they want to join. They're probably off having sex somewhere."

Laughing, I scout out the safest place for me to gather my ammunition. He's probably right. "And on that note, I'm going in."

There's a mound of snow across the field. I run there, dodging snowballs launching in all directions. Trash talk and insults fly in multiple languages. Someone nabs me on the arm, then again on the ass. I whip around.

There's Rhys, arms raised, wearing an unrepentant grin. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"I'll show you sorry." I crouch, half hidden behind the drift. Sometimes, being the smallest is helpful. Making ball after ball, I keep going, assembling a nice snowy arsenal.

Running footsteps come closer, then a shadow falls over me. Remy dives into my hiding spot. "What's the plan?"

"Make more. Fire away. Repeat."

He grabs four, and slings one after the other at Jonas, Maxim, and Rhys, taking attention away from Morgan, though, the Metros are aiming for each other as much as they're trying to hit us.

I love seeing Rhys this carefree. His wide smile, the laughter, pelting his best friends with snow. He carries the weight of the club on his shoulders as much as the other three, even though he's not a captain or alternate. It's good seeing him let go.

Across the clearing, snow covers Soren. Laughing maniacally, he pelts the others. He may not be able to run for cover, but his bad hammy doesn't prevent him from loading up on snowballs and returning fire.

I pass Remy more balls, then holding the rest against my chest, creep around the other side of the drift. Rhys is close by.

I throw the first, and the ball smacks into the jeans pocket over his left ass cheek. Following up with another as he twists, I score a hit to the right cheek's pocket.

He blinks surprise from his eyes, gives me an evil smile, and lobs a snowball at my chest. I duck out of the way, flinging another at his stomach.

Rhys lunges for me. Running backward, I hurl another at his thigh. My last one, thrown at his chest, goes wide. I hit the wall of the snowdrift and fall backward into it.

He dives on top of me, his arms and legs bracketing me in the snow.

Breathless, I squirm. The cold, wet slush makes its way into the space between my hat and scarf.

Rhys leans up on his forearms, eyes twinkling, so blue, studying me. He touches the tip of his nose to mine.

"Cold." I murmur.

"Let's change that." He lowers his lips to meet mine. Cold at first, firm, then warm. With a groan, he teases the tip of his tongue across the seam of my lips, then pushes inside. I slide my hand to the back of his head and wrap the other around his torso, welcoming his weight and the deepening kiss.

The knuckles of his gloved hands brush the sides of my face as he changes the angle of the kiss. The world narrows down to snow and Rhys. His body shifts against mine like he's seeking closer contact. Longing for less clothing between us, I get one leg hiked over his, trapping him against me, and swallow his moan of approval.

He raises his head, pins me with that glittering gaze, and strokes his fingers over my throat."Want to go inside? Warm up together?"

I arch into him. "Yes, please."

He rolls off me, extends his hand, and pulls me to my feet. The snowball fight has shifted into the guys competing for distance and height, by aiming snowballs at various tree branches and far away targets.

We walk toward them. Rhys wraps his arms around me, hugging me to his chest. "We're going inside."

"Big surprise there." Maxim softens the words with his smile.

The cabin is warm and quiet. We shed our outerwear and boots by the door. Rhys grasps my hand, and we walk together through the rooms. "Shower with me?"

"That's a good way to warm up."

He leaves me at the bathroom door. "Give me one second. I need to grab something."

I stroll inside, setting our towels on the radiator so they'll be warm once we're finished showering, and realize we didn't bring any of our things in with us. "Are you getting shampoo?"

The padding of footsteps in the hall grow closer, and he's back, carrying a leather bag I recognize from our road trips. Toiletries, condoms, and lube. He closes the door behind him. "Yeah, I got shampoo, and the rest."

The long window high on the wall lets in sunlight, baking this side of the house, so the room is warm. Even the floor tiles. Rhys crowds me against the sink, clamping his hands on my waist, pushing beneath my shirt to rest on my skin. "I've wanted to get you alone like this for hours."

"Me too." I link my fingers around his neck and draw him down to meet my lips. The kiss is hungry, a continuation from what we started outside. He delves deeper, rocking against me, his cock pressing into my stomach. With a groan, I wrap my leg around his waist and let him feel how much I want him.

He drags his hands up my back, pulling my shirt up. We separate so I can get it off, and I take my turn helping him, skating my hands up his chest, pushing the material higher. When I reach his nipples, he groans and rips the shirt over his head.

His torso is gorgeous in this, or any, light. The auburn hairs, the ripped muscles. I touch my fill, kissing him as my hands wander all over his freckled skin. Then down to his cock, caressing him through his jeans. Rhys moans at my touch, then sucks in a breath as I open the button.

I range kisses on his chest, taking my time with lowering his zipper. His hands grasp my shoulders, flexing and releasing, his big body pressing mine against the sink.

Flicking my tongue over his nipples, I pull his jeans down, then fill my hands with the hard cock poking out of the waistband of his black boxer briefs.

With an impatient grunt, he shoves the boxers off and kicks free of his clothes. Legs splayed, he stands, reminding me of a warrior, and I need to taste him.

I lower to my knees, using his jeans as a cushion. He slides his hand through my hair, his gaze glittering with heat. "I love you on your knees for me."

He's leaking for me. I swipe my tongue over the head and wrap my hand around him, using my other hand to cradle his balls.

His hand fists my hair as he eases into my mouth. "That's it. Just like that. You're so good at this."

Soaking up the praise, I love the way he lets me set the pace. I back off, then take him in again, swirling my tongue over his sensitive head.

Both of his hands are in my hair now, and he thrusts, pushing himself deeper, into my throat. I swallow around him, my cock stirring at the promises of what he wants to do to me spilling from his mouth. His slow rhythm is controlled, and I know he won't let loose here. There's not enough privacy.

I long to see what he'll be like when we have forty acres to ourselves over the summer.

On a groan, he pulls back, smoothing his hands through my hair. "Your turn."

He kneels in front of me. Kisses me deeply. Then taps my ass. "Stand up."

I do, holding onto his shoulders.

Still on his knees, he dips his fingers into the waistband of my sweats and eases them down. My briefs are blue striped cotton that hug my cock and balls. He works me through the material, his gaze hungry, and then he mouths a path over my cock.

Clinging to the sink, I arch into him. "Please. More."

My blood thrills when he works the material down, pushing it to my ankles. He encircles one and lifts, freeing me from the clothes, before repeating the same thing with my other ankle.

Wrapping his hand around my cock, he looks at me, his gaze hooded. "Lube?"

I force my buzzing brain to spring into action. Lube, in his bag, that's unzipped and open right beside me. My fingers trembling, I open the cap, then pour some into his hand.

Rhys takes me into his mouth. He sucks hard, hollowing his cheeks. My hands flail, searching for purchase. I grab for the counter, and my other hand slides into his soft hair.

His hands stroke over my ass, massaging their way closer to the cleft. One big hand holds me open and then a blunt fingertip teases my hole.

"Rhys." I gasp, rocking into that tight heat and then onto the finger breaching me.

He moans, and the vibrations are too much. That finger goes deeper, retreats, and then he pushes a second one inside, and pegs my prostate. Tugging on his hair, I bite my lip, desperate to keep myself quiet. But my blood's rushing under my skin, pleasure's shooting through me, and then he adds a third finger, and takes me into his throat.

"Fuck." My orgasm crashes through me. Groaning, I shake in his arms as he drinks me down. He keeps up the pressure, stroking that spot inside me, prolonging my pleasure.

When he releases me, my legs are wobbly. Rhys stands, lifts me into his arms, urging my legs around his waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, tasting myself on his tongue.

He hands me the lube. "Get me ready?"

I pour some into my hand, reach between us, and fist his cock. His head tips back at the touch. "Do you want a condom?"

We've been tested through the team, and shared our results with each other. "I don't want anything between us."

"Me neither." He kisses me again and maneuvers us so my upper back is leaning against the wall. Then he lines up, and with his gaze on mine, pushes inside, slow and steady, all the way to the hilt. "Feels amazing being bare inside you."

The fact that there's nothing between us, that we've agreed we don't want there to be, makes this more intimate in a way, more vulnerable too, like our commitment to each other has reached a new level.

"Oh, fuck." I cling to him, sinking down fully. He's so deep like this. "I love it too."

His mouth is on mine, and his hands grip my ass. It feels like they're splitting me open wider for him, and that makes me ache. "Sage," his breath teases my face. "You feel so good."

He thrusts over and over. My heels digging into his ass, I meet him, urging him on faster and faster. I'm hard again, and ready to come with him.

"Fist yourself," he pants, sweat on his brow. "I'm gonna come. Want you with me."

With one hand on my cock, I do as he requests. My other arm wrapped around his neck, our faces close and flushed, our gazes locked, and I feel the tremble in his body that happens before his orgasm overtakes him. His hands grow rougher, his thrusts and kisses do too, and then his head goes back, tendons standing out on his neck. His groan fills the room as he paints me inside with his release.

I follow him right over, my come covering his stomach, my heart pounding in my chest, and my gaze full of Rhys.

He presses soft kisses all over my face. When his lips touch mine, I keep him there, trading lazy kisses, not ready to leave the closeness of being with him like this.

A door bangs somewhere in the house, followed by the faint sound of voices. Rhys raises his head. "How about that shower?"

"Why not? We're here." Feeling so light and floaty, I kiss him again as he eases out of me and sets me on my feet.

I turn on the shower, adjusting the temperature. Steam billows out.

He grabs shampoo and body wash and pulls me in with him under the spray. "I don't know how much hot water there is, so we should go fast."

He uses the shampoo, and I take the body wash, then we switch. I like knowing I'll smell like his scent today. We rinse off and climb out, wrapping ourselves in heated towels.

Stepping into the hall brings voices echoing from different parts of the house. Holding my bundle of clothes, I hurry with him to the bedroom. "When we get back home, do you want to have a movie night at your place?"

"So I get to start and end my birthday with you? Yes, please." He kisses me over our open overnight bags.

Rhys steps into jeans and tugs a dark blue thermal over his head. I pull on an orange hoodie and gray sweats. Holding hands, we walk through the cabin.

Everyone is in the kitchen. Phil and Gio are back too. Various hats, gloves, and coats hang about, drying. The scent of coffee and hot chocolate fills the air.

Phil motions to the cake on the table. "We should do this now."

He's right. We don't have a ton of time left here. I remove the cover. Vanilla buttercream over a chocolate cake, with chocolate shavings on top.

"That looks good." Jonas pulls up a chair around the opposite side and takes the stack of plates Morgan passes to him. "Are we singing?"

"You don't have to." Rhys passes me a mug filled with coffee, then gets one for himself.

Gio comes over with matches and a candle. "Of course we do."

Maxim marches Rhys to the table and pushes him into the chair in front of the cake. Rhys grins at the cake, and takes my hand, drawing me to his side. "Who baked this?"

"I did." Phil brings over a knife and a pile of napkins.

"Thank you."

Gio lights the candle, and Maxim takes a photo of Rhys, and me, with his cake.

Soren queues up Happy Birthday on his phone, and we sing along. I slip my arm around Rhys's shoulders, and when he looks at me with his eyes shining, there's a warmth in my chest like my heart's opening wider to allow him fully inside.

He blows out the candle and we all applaud. Phil slices wedges of cake, and Quinn takes over, passing them around.

Rhys waits until we all have a piece. "Thank you all for making this birthday special. I usually stick to dinners with my friends, but the past two days have been some of the best I've had in a long time. So, repeat next year?"

There are cheers and talking of how next year's cabin adventures can be even better. Maybe we'll luck out again with coinciding days off during the season and can make the plans a reality.

Rhys pulls me onto his lap. "Thank you for making this happen. This has been the best birthday I've had in a long time."

"I'd say anytime, but birthdays are once a year." I dab a bit of frosting on his lower lip. He licks it off, his smile growing wolfish. "But I'd totally do this again."

"When's your birthday?"

"August."

He slips his hand into my hair, sliding through the strands. "I promise I'll make it as special."

Gazing into his eyes, I say what's in my heart. "If you're there, then it already will be."