before taking another small bite, unsure what taking over the streamers meant. “I didn’t realize you decorated.”
Mouth full, Tay nodded. Swallowing, he said, “The whole team pitched in. We all get to stay late and take it down too. At least, those of us not roaring drunk. I’m half afraid a couple of the guys will sleep through family skate tomorrow even though it’s in the afternoon.” He shoved another forkful of cake into his mouth without seeming to pause for breath. “Will I see you there?”
“Mm-hmm. With Andy and Calder. My son and my cousin,” Dakota explained, although it turned out he didn’t need to; Tay was already nodding.
“I met them earlier. Took a photo with your kid. He’s adorable.”
“He is. But then, I’m biased.”
Tay chuckled and uncapped his water bottle. Took a sip.
Forcing his gaze off his bobbing Adam’s apple, Dakota said, “Thanks for that, by the way. The photo. Andy’s a huge fan.”
“And you’re not?” Tay’s smirk was teasing.
“No, I am.” Setting his plate aside, cake barely touched, Dakota picked up his beverage. A small swallow had Tay’s gaze focusing on his lips again. “Which is why I don’t feel bad telling you that you guys have been playing like crap the last few games.”
“Ugh.” Tay slumped. “I know. I think the upcoming trade deadline has all of us on edge and playing for shit.”
“Can’t be easy knowing your whole life and career can change at the whim of what someone else wants or needs.”
“Yes.” Tay blinked at him, the hand holding his plate at torso-level dropping to his lap. “Yes, exactly. You get it.”
“My brother plays for the NHL, in Vermont.”
Another blink, slower, Tay’s brow furrowing in a way that was not cute; damn Dakota’s under-utilized libido.
“The Vermont Trailblazers?” Tay said. “Owen Cotton’s your brother?”
Dakota nodded.
“Huh. Cool. We were drafted the same year.” Tay poked at something on his plate.
“It’s fondant,” Dakota informed him.
“It’s not very good.”
That startled a laugh out of him. “No, it’s generally used for decorating, but it doesn’t taste great.”
“Why use it at all then?”
“It’s like play dough, easily pliable so you can make things with it. Like those nets on the cake.”
“I saw those.” Tay was still poking the fondant. “They’re edible?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“How d’you know?”
“’Cause I made it. Or decorated it, I should say. Calder made the cake.”
Tay’s head jerked up. “Shut the fuck up. You decorated that?” A pause, then, “Do you take custom orders?”
Raising a brow at him, Dakota sipped his scotch.
“I’m serious. We’re celebrating my mom’s sixtieth birthday in a few weeks. Big party, lots of people. I’m in charge of the cake.”
“If you’re serious, then here.” Out of his pocket, Dakota pulled out a slim case and extracted a business card for his and Calder’s custom cake business. “Get in touch and we’ll talk.” Their fingers brushed when Tay took the card, sending a zing up Dakota’s arm.
Was it bad that he wanted Tay to get in touch for a different reason altogether? It was strange that he was attracted to someone eleven years his junior. Dakota quickly scratched out any thought of Tay being boyish—he was all broad shoulders, playful grin, and flirty eyes. All man, and Dakota wanted him.
In bed. He didn’t have time for anything else or the inclination. Not to mention that he didn’t plan on introducing anyone into Andy’s life who might not stick around. Andy already had a mother whose job took her to the far corners of the world on the regular. He didn’t need someone else like that in his life.
Tay took the card. “Thanks, I’ll—”
“Tay!”
The shout came from outside their room, making them both jump.
“Shit,” Tay muttered. He drew his legs onto the bench and tucked himself into the corner. How he managed to curl his bulk into a tiny ball was a minor miracle. “You haven’t seen me,” he whisper-shouted to Dakota.
Dakota swallowed a laugh.
“Tay!” Xappa entered the room, pausing halfway in when he spotted Dakota. “Oh. Hey, have you seen Tay? Taylor Cunningham?”
Dakota shook his head. “Sorry.”
“Motherfucker.” Xappa stomped out.
Across from Dakota, Tay was silently laughing, shoulders shaking so much he almost dropped his cake. Unable to do anything else, Dakota laughed along with him.
The attraction? It wasn’t one-sided. Tay would bet his not inconsiderable NHL contract on it.
Twenty minutes after Dakota sent Xappa away, Tay sat on the same bench as Dakota. They both leaned back against opposite walls, facing each other, one leg bent onto the bench. It hiked their pant legs up, exposing their