Common Goal (Game Changers #4)- Rachel Reid Page 0,31

you mean?”

“I thought you were married. Because of the ring. And I thought you were...well. It doesn’t matter.”

“Thought I was what?” Dammit. The ring. Carter was right. He should have taken it off ages ago.

“I probably project it on every handsome older man now, but I thought you were another closeted married man who was looking to have a little secret fun with the gay boy.”

Eric’s stomach clenched at the thought. “I would never—that’s—”

“I know. I was wrong. I get it. Like I said, I project. But you really do seem like a great guy, and I’d like to be friends.”

Friends. “I’d like that too.” It wasn’t a lie. Eric did like talking to Kyle, and he’d love to go to some galleries with him. Maybe share some meals. Maybe—

Kyle yawned then, and Eric was reminded of the late hour. And of the fact that Kyle lived all the way in Chelsea.

“You should stay here tonight,” Eric said. It was an obvious offer and he should have made it before now.

“Oh no. I can get a cab.”

“Stay. I have two guest rooms. I’ll even make coffee in the morning.”

Kyle lifted his head off his knees. “That is very tempting.”

“I’ve got extra toothbrushes and everything. I have nowhere to be in the morning. You can sleep as late as you like.”

Kyle yawned again, then laughed. “All right. You win.”

Eric beamed, far too happy about this development. He stood and offered Kyle his hand, a natural gesture that he would offer one of his teammates on the ice or at the gym. But when Kyle took his hand, suddenly nothing about it seemed natural or familiar. Kyle’s fingers were cold, probably from rinsing out the beer bottles, and his skin was rougher than Eric had been expecting. He pulled Kyle to his feet, and then Kyle’s face was inches away from Eric’s own. Their chests were almost brushing against each other as Kyle gazed at him with sleepy blue eyes.

Eric was still holding his hand.

“I’ll, um. I’ll show you your room. I can lend you some pajama pants, if you like.”

Kyle brushed his thumb over Eric’s knuckles, then released his hand. “Thanks.”

Eric turned away before he did something unforgivable, like invite Kyle to share his own bed. He led Kyle to the bedroom that was on the same floor as the kitchen. It was Eric’s favorite of the two guest rooms.

“Oh wow,” Kyle said when Eric turned on the bedside lamp. The room was at the front of the house, and there was a large window that looked to the street. The wall with the window was exposed brick, which Eric loved, and the rest of the walls were stark white, as was the bedding, the armchair in the corner, and the rug. Above the bed’s light-stained maple headboard hung a large framed black-and-white photograph of a fog-laden rocky beach.

“There’s a white noise machine,” Eric said, gesturing to the small device that sat beside the lamp. “If you need it.”

“I might,” Kyle said. “I’ve been in the city for over six years and I still can’t quite block out the noise at night.”

“Where’s home?”

“Vermont. Or, it was home, anyway.”

Eric didn’t like the sound of that, but he also knew that three in the morning wasn’t the time to be getting into sad stories. So he just said, “I love Vermont.”

“Me too. This photograph is beautiful. Do you know where this is?”

“Wales.” Eric hesitated a moment, then said, “I took it.”

Kyle’s head whipped around, his eyes wide under his glasses. “You took that?”

“I dabble. I’m not a professional by any stretch.”

“You could be. Holy shit.” He winked. “What other talents are you hiding?”

Heat crept up Eric’s neck. Kyle was not making it easy to think pure thoughts.

“Sorry,” Kyle said. “That was the last one. I promise. I’m just sleepy and silly. And I haven’t had sex in forever.”

“Right. No problem,” Eric said stiffly. “I’ll go get you those pajamas. And a toothbrush. Do you need anything else?”

“Can’t think of anything.”

Eric left quickly. He did not like how easily flustered he got in Kyle’s company. In his bedroom, he took a moment to compose himself, then he grabbed his softest pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt before going to the bathroom to find a new toothbrush and some toothpaste. When he returned to Kyle’s room, he nearly dropped everything he was carrying.

Kyle was sprawled out on the bed, shirtless with the button of his jeans unfastened. His body was lean and toned—the body