Best Of Both Worlds (Colorado Black Diamonds #4)

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

GRAHAM

H ow much longer can I sit here avoiding the rest of my place?

The minute I get home from practice, I grab something out of the fridge to eat—cold, I might add—and run off to my room.

Because I can’t face Noah.

Kissing him has turned my entire world on its axis. I can’t look at him without wanting to kiss him again. And I shouldn’t want that, right?

Right?

The lights of Nashville are bright in my window as I stare down at the city below me. People coming and going without a care in the world, while my thoughts are trying to weigh me down.

I kissed Noah.

Not only is he my teammate, but we’re living together. Albeit temporarily, but we’re still living together. Kissing could make things weird.

Well, kissing again could.

And just the thought has my cock stirring in my pants.

Fuck.

Why am I reacting like this to Noah? This has never happened to me before. Ever. Hell, I had a sex dream about him and I wasn’t as awkward around him as I am now.

Maybe because I know what it’s like to taste him.

Fuck. He tasted so damn good that it’s seared itself on my brain.

I always considered myself straight. I’ve had girlfriends in the past. Ones I was in love with, but those relationships ended. No drama, no fuss. We just fell out of love.

Was it me? Was it this part of me that I didn’t know was inside me?

My laptop is burning a hole on my bed. I could easily pull it up and search for some porn to see if this is something fleeting or more. The thought of it makes my skin crawl.

Like I’m using someone to try and figure out something about me. A secret no one but me is privy too.

Fuck. I scrub an anxious hand down my face. I can’t keep hiding away in my room. It’s not healthy. It’s not like I don’t see Noah at practice. But there, we’re on different lines and I can keep to my end of the ice.

I’m a total coward.

Trying to make a decision, I pull my phone out of my pocket and search the area for a gay bar. This might help the never-ending swirling thoughts in my brain.

Confirm a theory or two I might have about my newfound…curiosity, let’s call it.

Finding a bar a safe distance from home and the area, I grab a ball cap and jacket out of my closet before listening at my door. Without hearing any noise, I crack the door before making sure the coast is clear. Darting to the front door, I head out toward the elevator and down to the parking garage.

All without having to see my roommate.

Like I said, a coward.

Bright lights are dancing on the walls as I tuck my wallet back into my pocket once I’m carded. The heavy beat of a pop anthem pulses through my veins, rocking the entire room around me.

Couples are grinding together on the dance floor. The smell of sweat and sex hangs heavy in the air. And I couldn’t look more out of place if I tried.

In a T-shirt, jeans, and hat, I’m wearing more clothes than ninety percent of the people here. It doesn’t stop the eyes glancing my way as I cut the fastest route to the bar on the opposite side of the room. Glass shelves line the wall with colors lighting them from above.

Finding a spot near the corner, I flag down the bartender and order a beer. No need for anything stronger when I need to keep my wits about me.

As I sip from the bottle, my eyes dance around the room, from the opposite side of the bar to the guys on the dance floor. People are huddled in groups, talking, laughing, and dancing. It seems like everyone here knows everyone else.

Instead of feeling like an interloper, it gives me a minute to breathe. To get my bearings. Pulling my hat down lower, I sip on my beer, letting the buzz race through me.

Whenever I’ve come out to bars in the past, I was always trying to pick someone up. It’s not that I’m a player by any means. But every now and then, I didn’t mind finding someone to slip between the sheets with.

Now, I’m watching. Watching others try and pick people up. Trying to see if this is something that interests me.

If only the guys could see me now.

What would they think of me being here? I know sports are more inclusive than they used to be, but the reaction of the fans that pay money to come to games? I don’t want the team to deal with that. I don’t want to deal with that.

“Hey, gorgeous.” A tall, leggy blond drags his fingers across my shoulders and grabs my attention. “Care to buy me a drink?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking to buy me one?” I rest my cheek on my fist and drop my elbow onto the bar.

His dark eyes, rimmed in a sparkly shadow, give a long slow perusal of me. A hunger sits there, like he wants to devour me.

Nothing. I feel absolutely nothing under his stare.

Well, that could answer one question I’m dealing with right now.

“I’m hoping you’ll buy me one and then ask me my name. Maybe take me home.”

I give him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Not tonight.”

“Hmm. Shame.” He grabs a napkin from the pile on the bar and looks around for a pen before jotting a number down. “Call me if you change your mind, handsome.”

Sliding the number over to me, he’s gone in the blink of an eye.

Huh. I’ve never had such blatant attention from another guy before. Or have I and I’ve just ignored it?

Maybe I wasn’t ready for this after all. Setting the beer bottle down, I pull out a twenty, ready to head home when my eyes catch on something across the bar.

Someone.

No, not someone.

Noah.

And the look on his face tells me he’s hungry.

For me.