Rumor Has It (Longwood U)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

SPARROW

The door opens, but it’s not Dak that steps outside. It’s Stephen. He stops abruptly when he sees me and stares. I watch as he visibly shakes himself from the surprise.

“Hi,” he says, shutting the door behind him.

“Hello.”

He stares at me with wide eyes. “I didn’t hear you knock.”

“I didn’t knock.”

“Oh,” he says, his eyes flickering over me. “You’re waiting for Dak?”

“I am.”

He nods and I can definitely see the irritation in his eyes, and the pinch of his lips. He shifts his weight from one leg to the other as he watches me. If he’s waiting for conversation, he’s not going to get it. Granted, I only know anything about this man from Dak, but I’ve heard enough to know I’m not a fan.

The door opens again and this time it’s the man I’m waiting for. He’s not expecting Stephen to still be standing there, so he nearly runs into him. “Jesus, Stephen. What’re you doing?”

Stephen moves aside and Dak steps out, seeing me across the hall. I’m awarded a big smile, which only makes me grin in return.

“Nothing,” Stephen mutters. “Bye.”

Dak crosses the hall to me, and we watch Stephen walk away. Dak rolls his eyes, turning his attention to me. I don’t miss Stephen turning back. Just so he can have something to fume about, I grip Dak’s chin in my fingers and pull his mouth to mine.

He sighs, his body leaning into mine. I love the heat of his hands on my stomach as he presses against me.

Okay, I didn’t kiss him so Stephen had something to be irritated about. I love kissing this man. He tastes like an addiction. I could kiss him all day. In fact, I would if we didn’t have plans.

I was surprised when he asked if I wanted to go to a hockey game with him and Ezlo. I’d have had to be blind to see that he didn’t like the way Ezlo was looking at me. Yet, here we are. Heading to a hockey game. Meeting Ezlo there.

“Is it your turn to set up your friend with a blind date?” I muse.

Dak snorts. I offer him my hand and he takes it. “No. It would be doing that person a disservice since I know Ez’s focus will only be on Lennox. It’s amusing that the one person who’s kept his attention longer than a commercial break is the one person who doesn’t want him.”

“Maybe that’s the draw,” I suggest. “Maybe it’s the forbidden fruit he’s interested in, and if he ever gets it, he’ll lose interest.”

Dak nods absently. “Maybe. I might agree except something about this pining just seems different. If for no other reason than I’ve never seen this man pine before. Wait till you see it. It’s wild.”

I grin.

I’ve never held someone’s hand like this. I was intellectually lightyears ahead of guys my age growing up which put me into advanced classes, so most of my peers were older than me. They always looked at me like a kid. Which I was.

But that meant both platonic and romantic relationships were always difficult to come by. That wasn’t awful. I finally hit the right age where those around me were willing to fuck around, but I found most people thought I was definitely cool to fool around with them, we still just weren’t in the same place mentally.

And in maturity. Don’t get me wrong, I still found humor in farts and whatever, but that’s funny shit. Not living shit. Maybe I’ve always just been ready to be an adult. To have adult situations and responsibilities around me.

Not financial responsibilities because that’s exhausting. I’m also not particularly excited about working for the rest of my life. I’m sure there must be a better way to live. I’ve briefly considered looking for a sugar daddy, but I don’t like the idea of someone else calling the shots.

I’m far too independent and strong-willed for that.

The arena isn’t packed but then, it never is. I think hockey should be bigger at this school considering we have a decent team. But Longwood isn’t particularly interested in growing their athletics program from what I’ve seen. They’re more interested in the sciences and humanities departments.

Their art department isn’t that big either, but it’s broad enough that I chose here instead of somewhere closer to home. My criteria were simple—healthy, safe environment, within the state of California, but at least six hours from home, and with a good art program. Good being the key word. Didn’t need to be extensive or great, just good.

I’ve been pleased with the classes I’ve taken. I’m still not sure what I’ll do with this degree, but it was certainly something to pass the time.

And meet Dak.

“I meant to ask you the other day. Ezlo’s the son of the hockey player that went viral on the St. Andrew’s Cross, right?” I ask.

He gives me a deadpan look and I grin. “Yes, but I really hope that’s not what you remember Max by. He was an amazing hockey player. He got even better after that incident.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “No. Max Latham is a legend. But there’s absolutely no mistaking who I’m referring to when I mention the cross.”

“Saying his name means he can’t be mistaken either,” Dak says. “Please don’t bring that up around Ezlo. He gets irritated when that’s what people know his father for.”

“I would never do that. But you’re not Ezlo.”

“I’m not,” he agrees. “But I get just as irritated when that’s what people remember Max for. I hope you also know he eventually sued the fuck out of a lot of people for that video which shouldn’t have existed.”

“I didn’t know that. That information isn’t generally attached to the memes.”

He sighs, but I can feel his frustration. I bring up his hand and kiss the back of it. “I’m sorry I asked like that. I’ll try again.” I clear my throat. “I meant to ask you the other day—Ezlo is the son of hockey Hall of Famers Max Latham and Deryke Schneider, right?”

The amused smile that he tries to fight makes his lips twitch. I look at him imploringly, waiting for his answer.

With a huff, he says, “Why yes they are!” in a mockingly excited voice.

I laugh.

Dak leads me down to the ground level where Ezlo is already kneeling in his seat, talking to the group behind him. His gaze lands on Dak when we’re halfway down the stairs. Then me. His smile grows.

Dak’s hand tightens around mine briefly. I swear, I can practically feel his possessive instinct.

Ezlo turns in his seat, the people behind him forgotten as we get near. Dak sits between us. “Hi,” he greets.

“Hey,” Dak says. “Do I need to re-introduce you or you good?”

Ezlo grins, his blue eyes turning to mine. There’s a playful glint in them. “No, I’m good. Hello, Sparrow Madison.”

I raise a brow as Dak looks back at me.

“Ezlo Latham-Schneider,” I greet in return. Yes, we know who each other are. Considering I just covered this with Dak, it can’t be surprising. “How’ve you been?”

There’s a flirty smile on his face as he shifts in his seat so he’s sitting sideways to face me and Dak. “Good. Roommate frustrations, school work shit.” He looks at Dak. “I think I’ve decided on a career.”

“Yeah?” Dak asks.

“I’m thinking maybe coaching hockey. Kids. Not super young because I don’t think I have that kind of patience, but like, young teens. When you really get into honing your particular skills, you know?”

Dak grins. “That’s awesome. You’ll be a great coach.”

Ezlo relaxes in his seat. His eyes drift back to me. “I’m a Sports Management major,” he tells me then looks back at Dak. “It means I’ll probably have to take some classes this summer, but I can still walk at graduation next year. ”

“That’s awesome,” Dak repeats. “I’m glad you found something you’ll enjoy.”

Ezlo hums and then turns his attention to me. His smile is back, less thoughtful and flirtier now. “What’s your major, Sparrow?”

“Art.”

Ezlo tilts his head, surprised. “Really?”

I nod. “Digital art.”

“Huh. What’re you planning to do with that?”

Chuckling, I shrug. “No idea.”

“Didn’t you say you were going to try naughty commissions?” Dak says, smirking.

Ezlo leans closer, definitely more excited now., but I laugh. “I was joking. I’m not great at human bodies.”

“Like everything, practice makes perfect,” Ezlo says. “Maybe you just need a model.”

Dak’s eyes narrow as he looks at Ezlo.

“I know someone who’d be willing to model,” Ezlo continues.

“Ezlo,” Dak warns.

Ezlo’s smile climbs, eyes glinting as he stares at me. I’m not touching Dak right now, but I can feel his jealousy. Hell, I can see it in the way he looks at Ezlo.

Before anyone can say anything else, the announcer comes over the speakers and Ezlo gives Dak a wink before turning toward the ice. Dak doesn’t relax, but scowls at his friend. I wonder if he knows Ezlo was definitely just pushing his buttons. Waiting for the moment when Dak reached the end of his patience and told him off.

I don’t think he’s doing so to be a jerk. I think he’s waiting for Dak to tell him what’s going on between us. Pushing little by little.

However, when the team steps onto the ice, Ezlo is officially distracted. His attention is locked on the goalie as he skates to the boards right in front of us and flashes Ezlo a big smile.

Ezlo sits back in his seat with a big, satisfied smile and doesn’t take his eyes off him. Dak meets my eyes and I can clearly see him asking, see what I mean? I chuckle.

I’ve met Lennox Laurel once. He was given a Rumor card and stopped in to check it out. Which I found amusing because he wasn’t the least bit curious or wanting to explore. After speaking to him for a few minutes, he said it felt rude to ignore the invite, so he stopped in to return the card.

“Give it to someone else, man. This isn’t for me.”

The thing is, he wasn’t rude about it. Wasn’t defensive. Wasn’t tense or nervous. He was probably the most down-to-earth, completely comfortable in his own skin man I’ve ever seen walk in there. Full of smiles and amusement that he’d been invited. We joked and chatted for a bit before he handed Porter back his card and waved on his way out the door.

Glancing at Ezlo, I feel almost bad for him. He’s crushing on a straight dude that finds zero appeal in men. Not even a secret curiosity. He just simply isn’t interested.

But Ezlo… yep, that man has it bad. I barely know him from John Doe, and even I can see how much he’s longing for this goalie.

I lean over in my seat and drop my hand onto Dak’s thigh. Partially because I want to touch him. But also because I’m curious just how transfixed Ezlo is with Lennox. There’s no mistaking my hand on Dak. I slide it up a little higher, making Dak shift in his seat.

These pants are soft. Smooth. I appreciate the feel of them under my fingers, and his strong thigh, flexing nervously under my hand. Sliding my fingers between his legs and curling them around his thigh, I can feel the way his dick twitches in his pants. Pants that feel like they may be getting a little tighter.

I keep my attention on the ice, although I glance at Ezlo now and then, just to see if he’s taken any notice at all.

However, my attention is completely distracted when Dak gently pushes his hips to my hand. I turn in his direction to find his face flushed and eyes flashing with lust. Jesus, this man is going to be my undoing. If he’s not careful with how he looks at me, I’m going to bring him in my lap and stick my dick in him for the duration of this game.

Keeping our eyes locked, I shift my hand so I’m fully cupping his groin. A shiver runs through his body. For a minute, his eyes are locked with mine, then he glances around to see if anyone’s watching us. If anyone has noticed.

Ezlo is completely and totally engrossed in Lennox.

I squeeze Dak through his pants, listening to him suck in a breath. His dick is growing quite rapidly now. I love how it thickens in my hand. Sliding my hand up until I move his shirt out of the way and touch his smooth, hot skin, I follow the trail down beneath his pants.

Dak’s eyes are wide as he looks around. We’re in the front row. Right where we’re in optimal position to be caught. I’m not sure he feels the thrill in that like I do.

When I wrap my hand around his dick, Dak stifles a groan. He leans forward and pulls his hoodie off, dropping it into his lap. This must mean I have the freedom to touch him. Can I interpret this as permission to jerk him right here?

The heat in his eyes is encouragement enough. I give his cock a slow stroke, driving my hand deep between his legs and shifting again so I can cup his balls. Dak squirms in his seat, spreading his legs wider for me. Giving me access to his sexy body. In front of all these people…

He’s so damn hard. Like stone. I rub him as best I can like this, his pants and underwear doing nothing but hindering my progress. Minutes go by and his breathing becomes heavier. I’d love nothing more than to bend him over his seat and bury myself inside him.

However, I did not bring anything for that. Also, that’s probably frowned upon to do at a hockey game.

I lean in, pressing my lips to his ear. “Follow me now.”

Letting him go, I get to my feet and head up the stairs. Dak doesn’t speak; just drops his hoodie and follows without a word.

Thankfully, the hall above is empty. I grip Dak’s hand in mine and pull him along. The room we used the first time here is locked. As are the next two doors. Frustration makes me scowl, but the fourth door is open. Quietly and slowly, I push it open and poke my head inside. Merch storage room. Perfect.

Pushing it open, I pull Dak inside and shut the door with a quiet click. There’s conveniently a lock and I turn it. Now I’m not in quite the hurry that I might have been before.

I grab Dak and pull him against me, sealing my mouth over his and devouring his ragged breath. He’s hot. So damn sexy. I drop my hands to his ass and haul him against me, hard. He groans. I shove his pants down and with my hands on his hips, I pick him up and set him on a wide table .

His pants are locked around his ankles, unable to move over his sneakers. I shove his feet up, pressing his knees to his chest as I lick my fingers. With one hand, I bring his cock to my mouth. The other starts working his hole.

Dak trying to be quiet is just as sexy as Dak letting out all those sexy sounds. They go straight to my balls, making me ache. I work his hole, knowing that he’s not as turned on by penetration as I am being inside him. However, he doesn’t have to be. I’m not finger fucking him for that reason. He isn’t immune to his prostate being stimulated, and with my attention focused there as I suck on his dick, delicious whimpers fill the room.

That’s it, sexy , I think. Come for me.

He does, filling my mouth so suddenly that I’m drooling it out. It dribbles down my chin and drips onto his balls and my wrist. I spend a minute after he’s done licking him as clean as I can. Maybe I should start carrying around wet naps. Just for this reason.

“Want to fuck my mouth?” he asks, breathlessly.

“Nope,” I tell him. “We’re going back to my place later and I’m going to fuck your hole.”

Dak shivers and nods. “Good idea.”

I chuckle and help him back onto shaky legs. “Come on, Flight Risk. Let’s get back to your friend before he notices we’re gone.”

“As long as we haven’t made it to intermission, he won’t notice.” But he doesn’t argue as I pull up his pants, adjusting his perfect cock in his underwear and making sure he’s comfortable. He’s watching me with amusement, and I shrug.

Without anything further, I bring Dak back to the rink, where Ezlo is still hypnotized by Lennox. Poor guy.