Common Goal (Game Changers #4)- Rachel Reid Page 0,26
It was delicious.
“That’s incredible,” Eric said. “Is there something sweet in there, or is that the tonic?”
“It’s a pineapple syrup that I made. You like it?”
Eric took another sip, closing his eyes this time and savoring the perfect blend of flavors. He swallowed and said, “I really do. Thank you.”
Kyle beamed. “I can make a few more with the supplies I brought. I’ll keep you plied with them all night, if you like.”
“You don’t have to. But if one finds its way into my hand, I’ll definitely drink it.” He tilted his head toward the stairs. “There’s a bar downstairs. And a stocked beer fridge.”
Kyle followed him to the stairs. “Why do you have a bar and a beer fridge if you don’t drink?”
“Because all of my friends are hockey players.”
“Except the ones who are art dealers?”
“The non-hockey friends are a small and very separate group. Tonight it’s just hockey and hockey-adjacent, I’m afraid.”
“Is that me? Hockey-adjacent?”
Eric paused at the landing in the middle of the stairs and turned back toward Kyle. “Technically I met you through hockey, but...” He stopped himself because there was no non-intense way to finish that sentence. If he was answering as honestly as possible, the sentence would have ended with something like I think I might be able to be my whole self with you.
“But?” Kyle asked. His pale blue eyes sparkled under his glasses.
Eric shook his head, trying to appear calm and collected even as his heart rate accelerated. “Nothing. Let’s get you a drink. Do you like barbecue?”
“Only if there’s kale salad.”
Eric laughed. He loved the way Kyle teased him. It was playful and almost fond, as if they were old friends. “I’m sure there’s plenty of salad left over.”
* * *
Kyle really had no idea what he was doing at this party, but the stolen time alone with Eric in the kitchen was...nice. He’d felt sort of warm and buzzy since they’d joined the party in the basement, even though Eric had been pulled away from him immediately by a couple of women, who were probably wives or girlfriends of his teammates.
Kyle was now sitting on a sectional sofa with Scott, Kip, Carter, and an attractive Swedish hockey player whose name Kyle kept forgetting. He looked about Kyle’s age.
Kyle knew Carter Vaughan because he often accompanied Scott when he’d visit Kip at the Kingfisher. Carter and Eric were Scott’s best friends on the team, but the two men couldn’t be more different. Carter was loud and fun, always the life of the party. He loved food and top shelf spirits, often giving Kyle shit about the subpar whiskey selection at the Kingfisher.
Carter, like most of the party guests, was closer to Kyle’s age than Eric’s. He was movie-star handsome, with dark skin and a strong jaw that was usually clean shaven. Eric was gorgeous, but in a more distinguished way with his salt-and-pepper beard and thick, curly hair that was begging to be rumpled.
What they had in common was that Carter and Eric were both good people, and they fully supported and loved Scott. Kyle liked them both.
“When are you and Gloria getting engaged, Carter?” Kip asked.
“Whenever she wants,” Carter said, which made everyone laugh. “I’m serious. She knows I’m ready when she is. It’s just hectic right now. We’re both traveling constantly.”
Carter was dating a very famous actress, Gloria Grey. She wasn’t here tonight, but she’d come to the Kingfisher a few times and she was super cool.
“Where is she tonight?” Kyle asked.
“Atlanta. She’s filming an action movie with Rose Landry where Gloria is an assassin and Rose is the special agent trying to stop her. Then they end up working together.”
“Boo. Spoilers,” Kip complained jokingly.
“It sounds badass,” Carter said.
“Do they fall in love?” Kyle asked. “The assassin and the special agent?”
“Not officially.” Carter grinned mischievously. “But Gloria said she and Rose are gonna play it like they’re totally hot for each other. See if anyone notices.”
“I love it,” Kip said.
Carter stood. “I’m hitting the bar. Anyone need anything?” He turned to Kyle. “Can I get you a beer for a change?”
Kyle laughed. “I’m okay.” It was probably silly, but knowing Eric didn’t drink made Kyle not want to drink either. “I might try to get a peek at some more of Eric’s art collection.”
“It’s nice, right? I need to get that classy son of a bitch to teach me about that shit someday.”