“It wasn’t meant to be. You berate us for bringing other issues onto the ice. We should do the same to you. I don’t like being shouted at because you’re in a bad mood.”
Jake knew that. Now he felt like he was being scolded. Leon sighed and turned away.
“I’ll see you at training tomorrow. Gym first or ice?”
“Gym.”
“Fine.”
Leon walked away, leaving Jake staring after him. Damn, he felt like an idiot getting his ass handed to him by a player. But it was his own fault. He had been too wrapped up in the issue with Marigold that he had forgotten himself.
He could still remember that night in great detail. And it left him tingling all over. He and Nathan had been with a woman before, but this was the first time there was someone else with them. And Jake had never been so turned on as to see Marigold with either Darren or Nathan. Especially with the way she reacted. She clearly enjoyed it, and Jake had been stunned at how flexible she was. That had nearly blown his mind.
A one night stand he could handle and remember back on fondly. The problem was, Marigold had walked away and left all three of them reeling. Jake and Nathan were tense with each other, and Darren was certainly off-kilter. He had been a little more withdrawn from them, and Jake and Nathan felt like they were missing something.
They knew what was missing. Jake and Nathan had been together for some time, and Jake loved his partner. He wouldn’t give him up for anything. But it felt like Marigold was slotting into a place they didn’t know existed. Almost as if she complimented them. Jake knew if things were different, he wouldn’t hesitate to ask Marigold for something more long-term with him and Nathan. He wouldn’t end it with his partner for her, and Nathan was of the same mindset.
The problem came from Darren. He loved Marigold. He had never admitted it, but Jake and Nathan knew it. It was plain from the way he had been with her that night. Jake hadn’t missed the way Marigold had looked at Darren, either; the feelings were mutual.
The simple thing to do was to leave Darren to pursue her on his own. But Jake couldn’t bring himself to accept it. Nathan had suggested all three of them be with her, but Darren would never agree to it. A one-off, he could handle, but nothing longer than that.
It was a mess no matter which way they looked at it. Something had to be done about it, but Jake didn’t know what. They had to do something soon; he and Nathan were beginning to get tense with each other, and that happened in a long time. Being poly was not the issue; knowing they would have to let someone go they had feelings for to respect their friend was.
Maybe he should have said no and backed out. Nathan wouldn’t have done it without him. They shouldn’t have started down this road, because now Marigold was like an addiction they couldn’t get a hold of.
“See you tomorrow, Jake.”
Jake jumped when he heard Stephen’s voice. He turned to see the player behind him. Stephen arched an eyebrow at him.
“Do you normally stand there staring into the distance?”
“I...no, right.” Jake stepped aside. “See you tomorrow.”
He watched Stephen walk away. The guy looked like he had a slight spring in his step. Not something he would have expected from the most brooding man on the team. But since Christmas, he had been happier. Almost smiling all the time.
Jake knew it was about Allison. He was aware that while Leon and Stephen kept it quiet, they were with Allison romantically. And they seemed to make it work. They were best friends, and their bond was strong. Jake had to admire how they had managed to put things aside to be with the woman they both wanted; they were strong personalities, so having to step back for the other would have been impossible.
It kind of felt like what he, Nathan and Darren were going through right now.
Someone touched his back, which made Jake jump. He turned to see Nathan smiling at him.
“Dammit, Nate! You scared me!”
“I thought you heard me. I did call your name twice.” Nathan wrapped an arm around his waist. “You were away with the fairies.”
“Nathan, we’re at work.”
“And nobody’s around.” Nathan kissed his cheek. “You look stressed. Do you want me to make it better?”
Make it better. Normally, when he did that, it involved sex. Jake’s cock stirred at the thought of having Nathan’s naked body all over him. But he was aware of where they were.
“We are at work, Nate.”
“I could always suck your cock in the bathroom. No one will know.” Nathan chuckled, his breath tickling Jake’s jaw. “Well, apart from me. And I will know everything.”
Jake knew they were going to get into trouble for it. Having sex at work was bad enough, and Jake was aware that it wasn’t just for the players. But with Nathan pressed up close, his hand on his chest, he knew he was going to struggle to get out of the building without having Nathan seducing him.
“Back to your physio room.” He said through gritted teeth. “We can lock the room, and nobody will need it there.”