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“I decided it’d be useful to give them some notes from a game, so here I am.” Caleb inhaled to take in more of the chocolate aroma coming from Aaron’s travel mug. Even with the lid on, the scent was strong. “Where’d you get the cocoa?”
“Picked it up at FG on the way over.”
“Figures,” Caleb said, sadly. “I should’ve thought of that. I got a cup of coffee here, and it wasn’t good.” He pointed to the cup next to him, which was hardly touched.
Aaron held out the mug toward Caleb. “Have some.”
“You sure?”
“As long as you don’t have cooties.” Aaron made the gesture again, and this time Caleb took it.
“I was inoculated a couple months ago. I can show you the proof if you want.” Caleb reached around to his back pocket for his wallet.
Aaron’s soft laugh threatened to make Caleb’s insides burst because it was so endearing. “That’s okay. I trust you.”
Caleb bumped his shoulder into Aaron and laughed along with him. The cocoa sharing, the good-natured ribbing, the bump—it all felt like something a couple would do. The more these little things happened, the more he wanted to know what coupledom would be like with Aaron.
Caleb took a sip and had to restrain himself from drinking too much. “That is so good.” He handed the mug back. “Nate should open a café here.”
“Nate ran a café annex out at Grove Park when the outdoor rink was up this past winter.”
“That sounds perfect. Skating, drinking cocoa. Please tell me you went.”
“You’ve seen my skating skills, which kinda sucked until recently,” Aaron said sheepishly. “Skating while drinking a hot beverage would not have ended well.”
“This winter I’m coming to take you out for a skate, then.” Caleb looked at Aaron, who held the mug halfway to his lips. “If you’d be into it.”
“I’d like that,” Aaron said softly before drinking.
The horn sounded over the big scoreboard, indicating the game was about to start. Both men turned their attention to the ice as the teams lined up for the face-off. After some grappling, the other side won the puck and the game was underway.
Caleb occasionally made notes on his phone while they talked about what was happening on the ice. Caleb, however, was sometimes distracted by Aaron’s quiet acceptance of a skating date, which he couldn’t stop thinking about. He was also being incredibly sweet by sharing the cocoa, which they passed back and forth routinely during the first period until it was gone.
It was like they’d relaxed to the point that they’d fallen momentarily into a future where they were together. Caleb liked it. He hadn’t been this comfortable around a man he was attracted to in longer than he cared to admit.
“They play well,” Aaron said as the final buzzer sounded. Their team won three to one. As the game ended and the opponents shook hands, the spectators left the bleachers and either headed into the lobby or gathered rinkside to talk to the players. Caleb and Aaron continued to sit as the others left.
“Rick’s done a good job with them. They learn quick. I want to work with them on face-offs. I think I can give them some pointers on how to anticipate better.”
“I definitely see coaching in your future between seeing you work with the kids here and the way you taught a little geometry the other day.”
“It’s a definite possibility for retirement. I always enjoy it.” Caleb stood. “You ready to get out of the cold?” He hadn’t missed that Aaron sometimes shivered despite the gloves, hat, and heavier jacket.
“Yeah. Sorry, was it that obvious?”
“Little bit.” Caleb smiled, and the smile he got back warmed him more than a coat ever could.
“It’s a lot different when you’re not moving around, like at practices.”
“That’s why you wear layers.” Caleb moved the neckline of his sweatshirt to show the two layers beneath it.
“I’ll know better next time,” Aaron said as they descended the bleachers. “What are you up to the rest of the afternoon?”
“I hadn’t planned that far ahead. What about you?”
“I’m headed over to the park. There’s a craft fair today, and some of the students are manning the bake sale booth to fund a field trip to Albany. I want to swing by and lend some support. Wanna come?”
“Sure,” Caleb said, thrilled to be asked. They moved quickly through the lobby. Caleb didn’t want to get caught up with any of the players who might delay them. He’d see the team on Monday.
