Page 72 of Penalty Zone
“We agreed not to use that nickname,” Ace defends me. “But we still want details.”
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell,” I say flippantly, and hurry to cover Leo’s marks.
“Good thing there aren’t any gentlemen in here.” Grayson walks through the door, right into the conversation. “What’s going on?”
“Our innocent Benz has hickeys.” Lucky covers his mouth like it’s a scandal.
“Like you don’t have a hundred,” I fire back.
Drake scoffs. “More than a hundred.” They high-five and kiss.
“No kissy face in the locker room,” I grumble because that’s my usual and I gotta act normal.
“Don’t change the subject.” Ace sits on the bench, leaning toward me. “We don’t need details, but do they treat you right?” He purposely uses a gender-neutral term, which I appreciate.
“They definitely do.” The goofy grin must appear because a few of the guys make swooning motions.
“Who knew you had it in you to be cagey?” Gray sits next to Ace. “Griff, give us more.”
Mason shrugs, and I see the hurt in his eyes because I haven’t given him the details. But he doesn’t betray me.
“Give the guy a break. It’s new.” He shoots me a glance, and I’m going to have to tell him something. I spent yesterday morning in bed with Leo and only went home when Mason demanded a proof-of-life text.
“Okay, team.” Ace stands and claps his hands. “Be on the ice in five.”
I feel empty, but Leo wouldn’t let me wear the plug to practice. He doesn’t want to do anything that will mess with my routine or performance. He’s exactly like I imagined he’d be but so different.
I hero-worshipped an icon, but he’s a fallible man and that makes him more attractive. He’s not an idea anymore, he’s flesh and blood and real. We can sit across from each other at dinner, and our conversation flows. Leo’s interested in my opinions and how I grew up. I’ve learned so much about his childhood and how his poverty drove him to be a provider for his family, but he didn’t understand how to meet their emotional needs. He told me that after Mason ghosted him for a month, he knew he needed to make a change.
Mason’s happy to have his dad in his life, and even though I’m fearful of wrecking it, I can’t say no to Leo. He gets me.
During drills, there’s an ache in my ass and maybe Leo had a point about the plug, but I won’t admit it.
We break into groups, and Leo and I take one goal while the goalie coach and Liska take the other.
“The team saw my marks,” I whisper.
“Mymarks,” Leo responds, looking very pleased about it.
“Well, they want details and I didn’t give them any, but Mason’s hurt that I haven’t told him about my new person,” I blurt out while doing a few extra stretches so I don’t draw attention to us.
Leo frowns. “Can you tell him the truth without using my name?”
That sounds simple. “I’m so afraid I’m going to say something that gives away your identity.” Leo is far less concerned than I am.
“I have faith in you. How much would you tell him if it wasn’t me?”
Leo has skates on today and maneuvers backward to shoot pucks at me.
Honestly, I wouldn’t tell Mason everything. Mason has vanilla tastes. Things like spanking and crawling and calling Leo Daddyare too personal. I can give him enough specific details to deter him from asking more.
After half an hour, we skate to the other side to switch goals. It’s interesting how a different side can affect your play. I swish backward, leading Leo.
“Hurry up. The Zamboni will be out here before you make it to the other side,” I tease. I’m startled when I crash into someone. When I turn, Gray’s all up in my space.
“Bad idea to take out your trainer. And a worse idea to talk shit to your coach.” Gray looks over my shoulder at Leo, his eyes ping-pong between us, then he throws his head back and laughs. “Nice, Benz.” He slaps me on the back and slides by Leo on his sneakers. “Way to claim your man.” He grins and heads for the bench.
“I’ll talk to him after practice,” I say, hyperventilating.
