Common Goal: Game Changers (Book 4)

Being away from him hurt like he’d broken every bone in his body, but it was for the best. Just like a broken bone, this would heal in time.

“I’m sorry,” he said to Scott, whose eyes were as red and wet as Eric’s. “I wanted to take us further.”
“We lost together,” Scott said firmly, even through his tears. “I’m just sorry your last game wasn’t at home.”
He hugged him, and then Carter piled on, and soon the entire team was hugging each other with Eric in the very center. He loved these guys so much.

He wanted to fall in love with him because he knew it wouldn’t take much. Just permission.

When was the last time Eric had wanted anything as much as he wanted Kyle?

There was some quiet laughter, but he could see the shocked confusion on his teammates’ faces. Did they really think he would play forever? “Come on, boys,” he joked. “I’m forty-one. You had to see this coming.”
There was silence, and then someone—Prentice, it sounded like—said, “You’re only forty-one?”
Everyone laughed, and that opened the floodgates.
“I thought you were at least sixty.”
“Goalies didn’t even wear masks when you were a rookie.”
“My grandpa grew up watching you.”
Eric shook his head. “Fuck all of you. I can’t wait to never see you again.”

Eric still felt heated every time he thought of their last time together. Which was often. In fact most of his thoughts had been dominated by Kyle. He’d thought about him when he was on the road—in planes, on buses, working out, and definitely in his hotel rooms. He’d thought about him while he’d been at home with his family. He’d thought about him a surprising amount on Christmas morning, even wishing that Kyle was there with him, meeting his parents and siblings, which was a little alarming.

Kyle didn’t say anything, but he held Eric’s gaze while his lips curved into a slow, sexy smile. Eric quickly turned his attention to the painting, because it was safer territory. After that smile, however, the colors on the canvas seemed drab.

“I’d better get cleaned up and go while I can still walk.”
“You could—”
Kyle pressed a finger to Eric’s lips, then moved it to kiss him sweetly. “I’m going to go home.”
Please stay. “Okay.”

Eric kissed him like he was important, like Kyle was something precious, and Kyle couldn’t get enough of it.

Kyle leaped out of his seat. “Yeah! Fuck yeah, Eric!”
Kip laughed as he bent to gather his coat from his seat. “Looks like Benny’s got a new number-one fan.”
“I’m happy for him,” Kyle said, though what he was actually thinking was I want to fuck him.