Risking the Shot (Stick Side #4) - Amy Aislin Page 0,26

toes.

“I’m sorry I’m so late. I didn’t expect traffic to be so bad.”

“It’s okay.” Dakota rubbed Tay’s lower back, the move reminiscent of something he’d do for a loved one to reassure them. Tay leaned into him, warm and strong, and it was a struggle for Dakota not to pull him closer. “You’re right on time, actually,” he said, redirecting his thoughts to the task at hand. “The biscuits are just about to come out of the oven.”

Andy led the way into the kitchen, chattering about his day, oblivious to the secret smiles Dakota and Tay shot each other over his head. And if they played footsies again under the table while they ate, that was their little secret.

Dakota still didn’t know what had come over him today at the coffee shop. Footsies in public? He’d been sitting across from Tay, who so earnestly wanted to help and whose eyes had latched on to Dakota and didn’t let go, and he’d been desperate for a touch, even just a little one. It was a stupid move—anyone could’ve seen. He’d half expected Tay to pull away as he glanced furtively around for witnesses.

Instead, he’d taken one further and teased Dakota back. Dakota had walked back to the office with a semi, thanking his own foresight at wearing a long coat to work this morning.

Resting his elbows on the table around his empty bowl, he watched Tay and Andy play round after round of rock-paper-scissors. Tay was a natural with Andy. Why that surprised Dakota, he couldn’t say. When he’d been twenty-three years old, kids had scared the crap out of him. What was he supposed to do with them that wouldn’t break them?

Plus, he’d been just out of university, hadn’t met Fiona yet, and when he wasn’t working, he was spending time with his closest friends, getting drunk off cheap beer, and playing video games.

From the little time he’d spent with Tay the past few days, he could already tell Tay handled responsibility better than he ever had at that age. Mixing what was no doubt a grueling hockey schedule with an intensive degree program? It was a minor miracle he’d been able to come to dinner so last minute.

“Tay, come see my puzzle,” Andy said, practically climbing over Tay on the bench of the breakfast nook in an effort to get out.

“Hang on.” Tay grunted when Andy’s elbow landed somewhere it shouldn’t have. “Here.” Grabbing Andy around the waist, he set him down next to the table. “Let me help your dad clean up first.”

“Go.” Dakota waved a hand. “I’ve got this. There isn’t much to clean up anyway.”

Andy kept up a running monologue on his way to the family room.

“Ooh, a 3D puzzle,” came Tay’s voice from the other room. “I’ve never done one of these.”

“You gotta make sure the pieces are in right so it doesn’t fall over.”

“Ah. Good tip. Thank you. You do many of these?”

“Me an’ Daddy did an airplane once.”

The airplane had been a bitch and a half, and Dakota never wanted to see it again. Unless it was in the recycling bin.

Once the dishes were done and the leftovers put away, including a to-go container for Tay, he went into the family room and sat on the arm of the couch. Flat on their stomachs on the floor, Andy and Tay had their heads bent close together, muttering to each other too softly for Dakota to hear, and appeared to be sorting through their puzzle pieces for a particular one.

How was it possible for his heart to flip in his chest and his stomach to clench with anxiety all at the same time?

There was a whole host of reasons not to get involved with Tay. They were both busy, and neither really had time to explore this thing between them, to start. Introducing someone into Andy’s life who might not stick around for the long-haul had never been part of his plan. Not to mention that Tay was a sports celebrity and Dakota . . . was not. How would that work? How would they go out together without seeming like they were out?

This would be so much easier if it was only sexual attraction; then they could keep this about sex. But that would never work—they didn’t know each other that well yet, but Dakota already knew he could fall for Tay faster than he’d ever fallen for anyone.

And he wanted to fall. That was the kicker. He wanted someone to call when