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Caleb was suddenly a number of strides away from Aaron, and he tried to use the skills he’d learned to seamlessly add the needed velocity. He sputtered at first, but soon had closed the gap between them. This game went on for several minutes until Caleb declared they would stop in the corner.

Caleb came to a smooth stop, but Aaron had issues with the hockey stop they’d practiced last time.

“Just do the snowplow,” Caleb called out as he saw what was happening, but it was too late. As Aaron struggled to stop, he saw Caleb brace for impact. Caleb caught him in an embrace as Aaron’s remaining momentum pushed them into the boards. “I’ve got you.”

Aaron planted his feet firmly under himself as he stood face-to-face with Caleb. “Thanks.” He sounded out of breath, partially because of the terror of being out of control, but also because Caleb held him and they were close enough to kiss. Aaron relished looking into Caleb’s deep blue eyes. He was gorgeous and being this close made that abundantly clear. “Um. I’m. Well. Sorry.” Aaron was mortified and would be happy if he could simply melt into the ice.

Caleb offered a shy smile but didn’t avert his eyes. “It’s okay. I’ve had far worse hits.”

Despite the fact he liked it there, Aaron pushed back just enough that Caleb dropped his hold. “I’d never hear the end of it if you got hurt again trying to teach me to skate.”

“As long as you’d play doctor, it’d be okay.”

Aaron’s face heated, and he had no doubt that he was a fiery red. Was Caleb playing with him? Or—

“Guys, look!” There was excited chatter as the team came onto the ice. “Coach Carter’s on skates!”

“I didn’t realize it was time. I should get things set up.” Aaron made an awkward turn away and saw Ian and the other volunteers coming onto the ice behind the players. He looked back at Caleb. Aaron hesitated, and Caleb stayed focused on him. Aaron wished he could steal a quick kiss before he joined the others. “Thanks for the skate.”

“Anytime.”

He gave a quick nod before he took off to get the cones for warmups. He felt a lot more confident despite the almost fall. While he worked, he kept an eye on Caleb, who hadn’t seemed flustered by their close proximity. Caleb toweled the sweat off his head at the bench and put on his Rangers hoodie. Then he took off skating with the team, and they stayed near him as if he were the Pied Piper. As they went by Aaron, he could hear the constant chatter the team kept up with Caleb.

After a few minutes, Rick came out on the ice and whistled the group together to start their drills through the cones. The players scrambled to the four corners. Aaron was already stationed at one of the corners.

Caleb surprised Aaron when he lined up with other players. “Mind if I go first?”

The kids nodded, and Aaron certainly said nothing. As far as he was concerned, Caleb could do whatever he wanted.

Caleb bolted as soon as the whistle blew. He did the forward, backward, and figure eights that were required. He was fast, at least by Aaron’s measure. Caleb looked happy and ready to go again. This glimpse of speedy Caleb in his element excited Aaron. It was only a sprint down the ice, but it captivated Aaron more than seeing him play on TV ever had.

When Caleb arrived back at Aaron’s corner, Aaron offered a subtle thumbs-up. What he wanted to do was hug him, this time on purpose instead of falling into him. Yes, he wanted Caleb. The more time they spent together, the more Aaron was happier than he’d been in—well, longer than he could remember. Moving back to Foster Grove had turned one corner of his life, and he was starting to remember what happiness felt like. There were so many challenges involved in dating Caleb, but it might be worth the risk to leave his LA baggage in the past.

So much to think about.

Rick blew the whistle. “Let’s go, Carter. You’re holding up the line.”

The whistle snapped Aaron out of his thoughts. Why was Rick yelling at Caleb? More importantly, why was Caleb looking Aaron’s direction when it happened?

“Sorry,” Caleb called out before he took off.

What had distracted Caleb? Was he thinking the same thing Aaron was?

The flutter of Aaron’s heart drove home the point of what he wanted. He just had to figure out if it was right to want it.

Chapter Thirteen

CALEB sat in the last row of the bleachers. He liked sitting up high during games so he could see more of the ice and watch the plays develop. This was the first time he’d seen the kids in a game, and he planned to take notes so he’d have things to discuss on Monday.

As he watched the team warm up, he worked to push away his sadness at missing yet another game with New York. He’d been out a couple dozen games, and while he was just a few days from going back, he was annoyed every time they were on the ice and he wasn’t. At least yesterday afternoon’s check-in with the local physical therapist and the Skype call with the team doc had gone well.

“Hey.”

Aaron’s voice startled him. He hadn’t known Aaron would be coming to the game. They’d made no weekend plans—Caleb couldn’t decide how to move forward since there were still mixed signals between them, and Aaron hadn’t discussed anything after Friday’s practice either.

“What a nice surprise. Have a seat.” Caleb patted the empty space next to him.

Aaron sat down, keeping his cup of hot chocolate in his gloved hands. “I wanted to see what these guys look like in a game since those start-and-stop scrimmages don’t really give much of a clue.”