Every Blinding Curve 7-10

Rating: NC-17, Disclaimer: The stories are works of fiction and DO NOT in any way reflect the real lives, sexual preferences, or personalities of the characters.

Picture order is Trevor, Brett Hull, Jim (house) Sandlak, Ronnie Stern. No pic of Thomas, I made him up! Need to read the first part? Click HERE

I take a bit of a ribbing from the rest of the guys as well. Maybe I should stop being such a slob when I can, nah. I grin and joke back, telling Ronnie I'll see him tomorrow then leave. Thank God Thomas lives in the same apartment building as House cause other than that I know I'd be lost trying to find his apartment.

Maybe living with Ronnie isn't such a bad idea. It wouldn't be like now where basically I traded my parents for another set. I wouldn't have to worry about the same kinds of things that I do at the Robinson's. Everything hinges on talking to Ronnie of course but I'm psyched.

Pulling my truck into the parking lot I take a deep breath making myself try and breathe normally as I walk up the stairs. When I actually get to Thomas' door, the readiness that I had before is a little less but I take another deep breath and knock at the door. Thomas answers and I just stare at him for a few seconds. He's not dressed much different than I am but he's gorgeous, so gorgeous I don't know what to do except stare.

And then blush when I realize he's giving me the same kind of look that I'm giving him. Eventually our eyes meet and we both smile. Thomas opens the door and I step inside with him. No one else is around but I can hear a TV from another room.

"Be right back." Thomas disappears into the other room. While he's gone I look around, it's a nice apartment; kinda the same as House's but backwards.

Thomas comes out a few seconds later with his mother who smiles at me and shakes my hand when we're introduced. "You boys have fun." she calls as we leave.

We get into my truck and I turn the radio down but we both end up singing along with Helix as we make our way to the restaurant. Of course I end up lost and frustrated and Thomas makes a choking noise then bursts into laughter.

"Sorry you just look so... it's not a big deal. Let's just eat there." he points at a small Italian restaurant across the street from where we're stopped.

At least it's relatively dark so my face isn't burning quite as bright as it feels. "Sure." I swing the truck around and pull off the street.

Now I'm sure in the pitch black my cheeks could be seen glowing bright red. "You too." I kiss him back, just a peck, liking that I don't need to bend my neck at all to do it. He's not quite my height but its close enough but he weighs a bit more than me I think. I like the way we feel pressed together.

When we pull apart I leave my arm against his back and can't help but notice and like the hard warm body under my arm. Even when the waiter comes I keep my arm there and Thomas doesn't move away so I assume he likes it there too.

Just like I thought the booths are high enough that aside from the table right next to ours we can't see anyone else in the restaurant. Our waiter leaves water and bread and I grab a breadstick and eat it quickly. Thomas smiles at me when I grab another one.

Thomas grins too and grabs a breadstick. Again I'm kinda transfixed by him eating. The fact that this time it's a hard piece of dough not unlike a cock that he's chewing on only makes me watch him more. I'm rock hard by the time he finishes it.

Its only when I grab another stick that I realize that Thomas is watching me as close as I was watching him. We both redden when our eyes meet but don't stop staring. The waiter returns and brings us our drinks, his nose sort of turned up when we both ordered pop and he still looks traumatized when he sets them down in front of us.

The waiter, Luke I think his tag says, anyway Luke leaves and Thomas and I burst into quiet laughter, stopping when Luke comes back with more bread and to see if we're ready to order. Thomas orders lasagna and I order chicken something or other all I really paid attention to was that it said a large helping.

Thomas excuses him himself to go to the washroom and as I watch him walk away I realize that I'm not nervous, from the second he answered the door I've been completely at ease. I'm having a blast with Thomas and that's all that matters.

When he comes back, Thomas grins and sits across from me again, his feet, kicking mine under the table. Neither of us moves our feet out of the way instead we leave them all tangled up. The contact is nice. God I use that word too much.

I have no idea how I'm going to manage to eat I can't even breathe right. I take a huge swallow of pop and ask Thomas how is day was.

"Ah, alright, busy as hell though. I've got a huge pile of reading to do for school and my job doesn't leave a ton of free time to do it in." Thomas says. There's no anger or even worry in his voice; he's just stating a fact.

Still it kind of makes me feel a bit weird for complaining about my practice earlier. I'm getting paid, even as a rookie a hell of a lot of money to do what I'd be doing as often as I possibly could even if my job was pumping gas for minimum wage.

I nod. "If you need to get home early..." What the hell made me say that? I don't want him to go home early or even to want to go home early.

"No way." he grins. "With my job and your schedule mutual night off are going to be few and far between, we need to take advantage..." he closes his mouth and stares at me. At least I'm not the only one talking without thinking tonight. I do love what he's saying too. "I mean... shit I like you Trevor. I'd like to see more of you." his face flushes. "Go out with you more I mean. Not that I don't want to see more of you too... I..."

"Oh, uh, yes I'd like to go out with you again." I take a deep breath. "And see more of you too, considering what I've already seen I definitely do." I'm in shock at the relative ease that I said that.

Relative meaning that my heart is pounding, I'm sweating, and that my face is a shade hotter than the surface of the sun. But hey I said it and meant it. Hell meant it and more.

Instead of saying anything Thomas kind of half stands and reaches across the table to take my face in his hands and kisses me. Not just a brush of lips this time but a proper kiss, my lips part but we both have enough sense to keep our tongues in our own mouth for now. Aside from how good his mouth feels on mine the rasp of his stubble on my cheeks burns enough to make me whimper into his mouth.

Almost like the kiss I imagined last week when I closed my eyes has come true. The remembrance of that and the reality of the kiss we just shared sends an amazing heat through my body.

Thomas sits back down and smiles. "God that was good. And how was your day? Did you end up with two practices like you thought?"

I lick my bottom lip and nod. "Damn, yes, that was fantastic and yep, two practices I was late for the first one." Its funny that fooling around with another guy and not the one I have a date with gave me the confidence to be okay with the whole issue of dating and sex. I owe Brett more than he'll ever know.

I open my hands and we lay ours together, not really holding hands just having them pressed together. "Yeah, it was nice having a family to live with to adjust to the city but aside from getting lost I think I'm cool with it now."

"Yeah." I do the same to him with my other hand. "A guy on the team is looking for a roommate so I might do that instead of living alone."

"Sounds like a good idea." Thomas licks his bottom lip and I don't bite back my groan this time. He's fucking gorgeous and its killing me. "He know you dig guys."

"Just House." I shake my head. "It's just that if everyone knows then the media knows and everything about me for the rest of my career..."

"Only asking." Thomas grins at me. "Not saying you should be out to everyone you know at all. I'm not either."

He does know. "Exactly. It's no ones business actually. But it still feels like lying. And I never have outright." even tonight with Ronnie he didn't use pronouns so I didn't lie even though I assumed he meant my 'hot number' was a girl. I still didn't lie I just agreed that my date was hot. And even though I'd never actually say 'hot number' Thomas certainly fits the bill.

Our food arrives and I ask for another pop prompting Luke to sigh again. I laugh when he leaves. "Damn, its not like he could serve me wine even if I wanted some."

"Not until April." I take a bite of my chicken. Its good and there is a lot of it. Thomas knowing how old I was makes me realize that I haven't been the only one asking Deb and House questions.

We don't talk much as we eat. I try and take it slow and easy so I don't attract that same zoo animal look from Thomas but he chuckles a few times anyway. Meanwhile its not like he's not tucking into his food pretty good as well.

Luke comes around to ask us if everything is okay like they do when you are supposed to be half done eating and we're already done. This earns us another sigh and we both laugh when Luke asks if we want the dessert menu.

"Of course." we answer together and then laugh again. He brings it back again then leaves us alone for a few minutes to look it over.

And if we could stop looking at each other we might be able to do that. We don't talk at all just stare at each other and then fumble through the menu when Luke does come back.

I order the first thing I see on the menu it's just ice cream and chocolate sauce but that's fine by me. Thomas orders the same and Luke, yeah well he sighs again. Okay watching Thomas eat everything I've seen him eat so far has been an erotic experience.

Watching him eat ice cream and lick chocolate from his spoon and once from his thumb could be videotaped and get me hotter than any porn I've ever watched. We finish without incident, ya know like me throwing the table across the room and pouncing on him and Luke brings us the check.

He gives it to Thomas, interesting. We both reach for our wallets and Thomas waves me off. "This time it's on me, I asked you out."

I nod; it's not worth arguing. I'm kind of touched knowing that money is not tight but stretched with him a bit and he wants to treat me anyway. "Then next time I ask you."

"Cool." he stands up and kisses me again. I pull a couple of bills out of my pocket and leave a tip and we go to the counter so Thomas can pay.

"Do you really think he deserved a tip?" Thomas buckles his seatbelt when we get back to the truck.

We both look at each other and let out a big sigh then laugh so long and hard I feel kinda sick by the time we stop.

Thomas needs to help me twice to get back to his apartment building but I don't mind at all. We both unbuckle our seatbelts and look at each other for a few minutes then lean in close and kiss. It starts out as the same kind of kiss we shared in the restaurant but his tongue soon slips into my mouth and mine into his.

My hands are on Thomas' hips and begin to roam up his sides a little then back down while his pull me closer to him and slide along my back. He was sexy as fuck before but now, with his lips swollen from my lips and teeth and his face flushed he's... he's beyond anything I can describe.

More than just in a physical sense, yeah I do want to fuck him too, my cock is trying to break through my zipper right now, but yeah more than that. I want to know him better, spend time with him. Hell, just sit and watch him eat would do it for me.

He opens his door and pulls me out with him. Pressing me to the side of the truck, he kisses me for the first time with body contact and I wrap my arms around his back and pull him even closer. Our teeth and lips are clashing together and spit is completely coating our chins and cheeks but we don't stop.

I can feel his cock hard against my hip and know he's as turned on as I am. Finally we pull our heads back but our bodies stay pressed together. "Walk me up." Thomas says, hooking his arm around my waist and reaching up with his free arm to brush a stray curl off my forehead.

We kiss again at his door and then he opens it. There's noise from the other room but the living room and kitchen is empty and he invites me in. His hand is warm and slightly damp in mine but mine is kind of sweaty too so I don't care. He shows me his room and I groan when I see the Leafs poster.

"Hey I said I was a fan." he grins and kisses me again, I run my fingers through his thick black curls and take the lead this time, slanting my lips over his. We're grinding our hips together strong enough that I know I'm going to come in my jeans if we don't stop.

Thomas leans his head against the wall and sighs. His hands are on my waistband but we both know that right now with his mother in the other room we're not going to be doing any thing more but I definitely want to. Still no hesitation or being freaked out or scared on my part at all, and I don't think there will be. He kisses me again, his lips travelling from my mouth down to my neck, licking and sucking then coming back up along my jaw line to my ears and nibbling on the lobes a little.

I have to take hold of his shoulders and make him stop before I embarrass myself. He stops right away and looks as far gone as I feel. "My brother has a Canucks poster." We both burst into laughter and he pulls me out of his room.

We kiss again at the door and I ask if he wants to come to the game tomorrow night. "I'll leave Tickets at the door for you and your brother." I tell him when he says he'd love to see me play. Me play not the team.

"I think that at some point the fact that I'm kissing his big brother is going to give it away." I nod at the open doorway of their apartment. A smaller younger version of Thomas is standing with his mouth agape. I'm assuming it's his brother.

"Duuuuuh! I know who it is." Joey sticks out his hand and I shake it. He grins up at me with such admiration that I blush again and get flustered.

"No way!" Joey grins. "Of course I do." he looks from me to Thomas and sighs. "I can't believe Trevor Linden is in my house. None of my friends are going to believe this."

Joey rolls his eyes. "I'm not going to tell them he was here with his tongue down your throat and his hands on your ass, just that you're friends. They don't know you're gay either bro." He turns and looks at me, like he's realizing for the first time. "Oh my God you're gay?"

Thomas makes a noise somewhere between a growl and a snort and I burst into laughter. Ignoring his brother for the moment Thomas pulls me towards the doorway and kisses me again. Joey makes choking noise and grabs the phone.

From his reaction I don't think it's so much that it was two guys kissing that earned us the gag just that he's sixteen and seeing your brother kiss anyone is kind of gag inducing. "Sorry." Thomas sighs.

I tilt his chin up and kiss him again. "Nah." I slide my other hand down his back and pull him close one more time, kissing him softer this time, my hand brushing over the curve of his ass. I can feel the heat coming from his body even through his clothes.

We do untangle ourselves and say goodnight. Thomas goes back inside and I walk slowly down to my truck. I need to get back to the Robinson's and have a really long cold shower. When I check myself in the mirror not only are my lips swollen but that my cheeks have crisscrossed red marks from his stubble too.

Licking my lips I can't help but grin. I like the way it looks and more importantly how it feels. Not wanting to be caught checking myself out by some passerby I put the truck in gear, not before I notice a hickey just above the collar of my t shirt. I definitely like that.

Most of the lights are off when I pull in to the driveway but Joanne is still up when I come into the living room and Brett is stretched out on the couch but asleep. "Have fun?" she looks at her watch and smiles.

"I'm happy for you Trevor." she looks at Brett and smiles. "It's nice you found someone your own age to date."

She waves her hand. "I don't know and I don't want to." her words sound harsh but her smile is genuine.

"Thank you." I impulsively hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek, making sure to have no contact besides our shoulders. I think I'd die on the spot if she knew I was hard.

I say good night and go up stairs, walking softly so I don't wake up Ed or Michelle. Ed's light is still on and I meet Michelle in the hallway so I guess I'm not going to bother anyone by getting a shower.

"Yeah, how'd you know it was a guy?" I can't see Joanne telling her without asking she didn't even tell her husband.

Michelle rolls her eyes. "I overheard but I knew anyway, I do have a gay brother." she grins and goes into her bedroom. Eh, maybe she's not so bad after all.

Even though everyone is apparently awake I'm still quiet when I go get a shower. I don't exactly get a cold shower but it isn't very hot either. Even after beating off my cock is still hard so when I go back to my room I lay back on the sheets in my towel and double check the door then slide my hand down my stomach again.

I keep the towel on, it's easier to clean up that way, and just stick my hand underneath. My skin's still a bit wet from the shower so I leave it at that and start stroking. Images of Thomas run through my head.

I'm picturing the scene in his bedroom but instead of leaving like we did we stay and keep kissing, our hands going under our clothes, touching each other. I picture Thomas' lips on my stomach, going near my cock and I nearly lose it. But when my fantasy switches to me on top of him, licking him, sucking him tasting him, cum flows over my hand, soaking into the towel.

I lick my hand and clean up a bit and am just lying back down when the door opens. No one ever comes in here without knocking first so it must be Brett.

It is. "Jesus kid. Every time I come in here you've just come in here." he sits down on the bed but leaves the door open.

"You've only been in here after me twice." I grin. I'm still just wearing the towel but I don't feel odd at all with Brett in here.

I nod then laugh at the stricken look on his face. I make a noise that sounds a bit like air being pressed out of a fifty-year-old tire. "Old my ass. You're only six years older than me."

We continue this until we can't think of any more childish things to say and even if we could we're laughing so hard neither one of us could understand them anyway. Joanne passes on her way to bed and leans against the door jam.

Well that's a whole different attitude than earlier. "I talked to her just before coming up here." Brett leans back against the headboard.

"Last night. No details of course." he cringes. "But she knows something happened and made sure I knew I was too old for you and would leave you be." he chuckles. "She really likes having you here."

"Yeah probably." I shift so I'm leaning against the headboard as well. "I can move out into my own apartment when I want to. I'm checking out one tomorrow well as a roommate.

"Man ya know when I came to Calgary I never got billeted with anyone so I could adjust to the city." Brett shakes his head.

"Well fuck it was Calgary. And you'd like lived in Chicago and here, I'm from Medicine Hat and not even in Medicine Hat from a farm out side the city." I wave my arms around. "This is like a different world."

"I hear that, hell I'm ready to be gone after only being here for a day. "Anyway I should go to bed." Brett moves in and kisses my forehead. "It was nice meeting you." his grin leaves his meaning crystal clear.

I know I'm going to see him in the game tomorrow and probably after but I stand up too and give him a long hug. He might not think so but what he did for me last night helped me. I know better than to say thanks so I just give him and extra squeeze and he winks and leaves.

I don't bother getting dressed, just climb under the blankets in my towel. I'm determined to fall asleep but can't rid my mind of how I felt earlier with Thomas. How it felt to be backed up against my truck with his body pressed to mine while he kissed me. The way his hands felt on me, the way his lips felt on me.

I won't say my mind is clear tonight cause it's so damn full of sex but I fall asleep pretty easy anyway.

I'm barely awake when Michelle knocks on my door telling me I have a phone call. Expecting it to be Thomas, I rush out of bed and begin to open my door when I realize that I lost my towel at some point. Figuring there is no reason to jump in front of Michelle naked, I pull on some underwear and jeans and a t shirt.

It's not Thomas its Ronnie, asking if I want to come over after our morning skate. I agree and talk to him for a few minutes then go downstairs. Everyone is bustling around getting ready to leave but we all agree to meet up after the game. They're going of course since Brett is playing.

I don't bother to eat cause I know we'll have stuff at the arena before the morning skate so I head off there. Ronnie is taking me to his apartment afterward so I can check it out. Bob is semi out of his anger from yesterday and lets us just skate for a while before making us do the million tedious drills that we have mostly all been doing since our first day of practice in pee wee hockey.

Again the shower feels good when it's all over. Ronnie's shaving but I'm skipping it for now. Hell I could skip it for a couple of days and be okay. I think Ronnie shaves and his five o'clock shadow pops right back out like a cartoon character. He's only a couple of years older than me but in a lot of ways seems way more than that. Must be all that time fighting through the minor leagues I guess.

"Maybe supper or just late, I'm looking at Ronnie's apartment with him." I pull on my jeans again.

He flips me off and grins. "He told Deb what a great time he had. How utterly gorgeous, wonderful, and hot you were." House looks me up and down and shrugs.

This time I flip him off but I'm grinning like a fool at the same time so it takes away any threat behind the gesture.

"Oh God. If I had of known you being happy was going to make you look like you'd had a lobotomy I'd have never introduced you two." House groans then hugs me hard.

I hug him back then laugh. For no real reason, just throw my head back and laugh. House does too and when we stop the entire dressing room is staring at us, which only makes us laugh more.

I lay my keys back down but think better of it. If things go really bad with him today I want to have my own way home. "Maybe I should take my truck."

"Nah, come on." Ronnie grins. I shake my head and agree. I'm not afraid of Ronnie or his reaction. He might be a goon on the ice sometimes but he's a good guy. House gives me a thumbs up and mouths good luck as we leave.

Ronnie's car is small but surprisingly comfy on the inside. I'm a lot taller than he is but I still have lots of legroom. I always hate that about most smaller cars.

"Have you told the people you live with that you're moving out yet?" Ronnie asks as he navigates through traffic.

"Right, I forgot you were living with Hull's family." Ronnie drums his hands against the steering wheel. "Have you met him at all?"

"Yep." I nod, willing my face not to get hot and it surprises me by feeling normal. "He's been at the house for two days."

I let out a big breath. "I've never played against him yet but he was nice to me at the house." Very nice I add silently.

"Well here we are." Ronnie stops the car. He said apartment but it's not in a building like House's and Thomas' it's just a few apartments attached together. It looks great from the outside; three stories if you count the basement. I've never been here before, when Ronnie and I hung out it was always to go somewhere.

Inside is great too. Nothing fancy, not that I was expecting it, lots of dark colours and big furniture. Just what I would have expected Ronnie's apartment to look like if I'd ever pictured it. "Who were you living with before?"

"Brenda." Ronnie sighs. "We broke up. She moved to Toronto so you don't need to worry about us getting back together. Even if that could happen there'd be a spare room."

I nod and he shows me the rest of the apartment. Big living room and kitchen and a nice big bedroom for me. The size or what it looks like really doesn't matter to me. All I want is a place to come home too and yeah I want a place where Thomas and I can be alone without our parents or in my case equivalent of parents can come crashing in on us.

"It's great." I take along sip of pop and lean my head back on the couch. "I have something to tell you though. I..."

"Ronnie fuck. Listen to me and let me finish." I lean forward so I'm looking him right in the eye. "I do want to move in here I just need to tell you something first."

He nods. "You know I went out last night right." I wait for him to nod before I continue. "Well..."

"And I can see that you obviously had fun too?" Ronnie presses his thumb on my neck, just above the hickey Thomas gave me. I'm not going to give up trying to tell him but I really fucking want to at this point.

"Jesus Ronnie, there is no she, it's a he. His name is Thomas." Yes screaming it at him was exactly how I wanted this to go. The only way to have been brasher would have been to invite Thomas over and blown him in front of Ronnie.

"I wanted you to know before I told you yes or whatever." I look at Ronnie close trying to gauge his reaction. He hasn't moved his arm from around me and he doesn't look angry. He looks kind of... I dunno confused maybe. Then again he kind of always looks like that.

A part of me wants to laugh at that statement but I know better. I nod and look him directly in the eye again. "I do."

He didn't freak out sure but I think this was worse. He looked so weird. This is exactly why I wanted to drive my truck out here. I have no idea how to get home or even back to the arena. A tap on my shoulder a few seconds later makes me leap to my feet, my fists clenched at my sides.

Ronnie looks horrified. "Jesus Trev I'm not going to kick your ass. I might be a cement head but I'm not a complete idiot."

I relax my hands. I have no idea why I even made fists. "I... shit. I don't know what I was thinking."

"You should know me better than that by now. I had to piss." Ronnie sits back down and so do I. "Of course apparently I didn't know you at all."

I shake my head. "Yes you did, you know me. I didn't knew you had a live in girlfriend, let alone what her name was, why do you feel like you need to know who I'm dating to feel like you know me?"

"Its not like now I'm going to come in and want to redecorate with pink drapes or some shit like that. I'm still the exact same as I was before you knew."

"Yeah." Ronnie laughs, reaching out to touch me again. It's just his hand on my shoulder but it's a familiar touch. I join him in laughing and we laugh until we're both holding our stomachs. It wasn't that it was funny just to release the freaking stress in the air.

I know Ronnie he doesn't say stuff he doesn't mean. "Yeah. I do. As long as you're sure you still want me to I do"

I still can't believe he just giggled, he sounds so freaking nervous. I do want to move in here but we need to talk more. "So you're really going to be okay with this?" I take a long swig of pop.

Ronnie lets out a breath of relief. "Its not that I'm freaked like I think you're weird now or anything I just, you're like the first actual uhhh..."

"Yeah." he smiles. "Gay guy I've spent time with, well that I've actually known and that actually said he was gay not just who was..." his voice trails off and he coughs. "And you're so normal, you're just Trevor, its weird. Its weird for its lack of weirdness."

"So what made you thi... uh, realize that you're gay?" Ronnie rests his elbows on his knees, his eyes wide with interest. That's all I see in there, no hate, no pity, just interest.

"I like guys." I shrug. Ronnie still looks like he wants to talk so I do. "I don't know when exactly, when all my friends started liking girls I never liked anyone really I just wanted to hang out and play. Then when I did get old enough to get interested in dating and stuff it was never girls that held my interest."

"Yeah. A few times but there was never any heat, no matter what girl or how pretty or nice she was. I'd double date and the other couple would be making out and I'd kiss my girl and be fascinated watching the other guy kiss."

"You really want to know?" I roll my eyes. Not only has he not freaked out but he's so damn interested.

I close my eyes. I can count the people on one hand that I've had a serious sex talk with including my father. "I did date a few girls I fooled around a bit but there was nothing there." I look down at my zipper. "Nothing."

"Yeah, I had no idea what to do, ya know the actual mechanics. So I found a few videos in Calgary and met this guy in the Hat who was gay too and we..."

"No. Nothing that Max and I did could even be remotely considered dating, we just got together and screwed around a bit. Last night was the first time I actually went out with a guy."

"Definitely." I'm laying all my cards on the table here. "He'll be here sometimes when I am, eventually some nights, all night. Are you really ready to have him, us sitting at the table in the morning? To see me kiss him? Cause that's what I want."

"But I like you Trev. You're a great kid. You know what its like for us travelling and shit so you won't mind odd hours and you know what I'm like so I don't need to be acting all polite and shit around you to put on a good public face. I'll deal. I want you to move in."

"And I want to move in." I grin hugely, this wasn't in any way shape or from how I imagined this talk going but the end result is good. We shake hands then Ronnie sighs and gives me a hug. I'm shocked; its one thing for him to say that he's cool with it but another to initiate touching. "Thanks."

"No I mean for not freaking out." I laugh. "Hell, for not asking me if I've ever checked you out in the shower."

Ronnie throws an arm around my shoulders again. "Bro, we all check each other out in the shower. A little cock competition."

"Every guy in the locker room has checked every single other guy out." Ronnie nods when I shake my head. "Yes dude if for nothing else to make sure their own equipment matches up." I don't say anything so Ronnie keeps on talking to me. "Don't you listen to us talk? Damn we're all over who has the biggest cock. You really never listened?"

"I don't even know." I shake my head, liking how cool the breeze from it is on my burning cheeks. "Scream fag and then make my life a living hell."

"I... um... I was having a lot of troubles with all of this. I feel like I'm just getting to know who I am anyway even without being gay I am. Moving to a big city, a new team, a new family it's just hard. All of it."

"I know." Ronnie says. "Its hard on everyone at first, I was older though, spent a lot of time in the minors. Maybe that makes it an easier adjustment. And I was comfortable in my own skin."

"You're young Trev." he pats the top of my head like I'm a kid. "You should just be figuring out who you are. Fuck knows I am."

We could turn off the heat and be warm just from my cheeks, only this time its anger as well that's mixing with the embarrassment. "I'm worthy I never said I wasn't worthy."

"No you just expect everyone to be so repulsed by you they're going to immediately make fun or kick your ass, that's great for your self esteem."

"Well fuck Ronnie. I might not have heard all the cock talk but I hear the guys in the corner calling who ever it is they want to squash a faggot, a pussy, a pansy cause that's the worst insult you can give a guy right? The very thought that a guy likes another guy is the worst thing you can say to try and offend him. And you don't know what you're fucking talking about."

Ronnie holds his hands up in defense and nods. "I've said that to tons of guys, you're right and never even thought twice about it."

I don't know what to say and I really don't know why I'm so mad, but I want to fucking punch the hell out of something and worst of all I can feel tears pricking the back of my eyes. To cry in front of Joanne was one thing but I'm not crying in front of Ronnie.

But I do. Fuck I can't stop it. I don't even make noise I just stand there while tears roll down my cheeks. Ronnie stares at me then sighs and hugs me. "I don't know what I'm fucking talking about. I don't really have a fucking clue how you feel Trev. I'm sorry."

"Trevor, fuck. I asked you, I wanted... I want to know. You've got nothing to be sorry about. And you are okay, more than okay Trev." He's babbling so I let go of him and wipe my sleeve across my wet cheeks. Ronnie crosses his arms over his chest and smiles. "So you moving in or what?"

"Good. Now lets go on back to the arena and get ready to kick some Blues' ass." Ronnie grins. "And in all of our massive amounts of spare time." he rolls his eyes and I groan. "I'll even help you move. You'll be able to have a sleepover with your boyfriend as soon as you like."

I burst into laughter, real laughter from deep in my stomach. "Okay but its not the only reason." His almost too easy acceptance makes me wonder a bit but I'm too relieved to really delve too much.

We've only been driving for a minute or so when Ronnie starts talking. "So who all knows you're gay? On the team I mean."

Ronnie grins. "I was just thinking his wife is hot, could be a nice threeso..." he stops when I glare at him. "I'm just saying."

"Did a guy and girl at the same time." Ronnie looks out the window. I glance at him to see if he's joking but he looks serious. "Fuuuck, I've never told anyone this before." This time his cheeks are bright red. When I was in junior my roommate and I picked up a girl and we both fucked her and touched each other a bit. I didn't kiss him or anything, I never really wanted to but I liked it."

"I'm still sorta friends with him, we talk every month or so. I always wondered about him if he was into it more than he seemed at the time..." Ronnie's voice trails off. "That's why when you told me I was so weird. You were so open and I've spent a lot of time wondering if my friend was more into it..."

I smile back. "Explored how?" Ronnie doesn't say anything. "Come on an hour ago you stumbled over the word gay and now you've probably gone farther than I have."

He nods and switches lanes. "I experimented and tried a few things. Just that one I'm not into guys but yeah I have gone further than you."

Well fuck, we've come this far we might as well go the whole way. I'm way too curious to let politeness stop me now. "Top or bottom?"

"You were. Now answer me and I'll tell you everything you want to know." I reach forward and turn the radio all the way off.

"And you didn't like either?" I've got an apparently willing sounding board here; I'm taking advantage.

"Hurt?" Ronnie waits until I nod. "A lot. I'll be honest with you Trev, a lot at first. It did get better; hell it got a lot better. Physically it was great but the fact that it was a guy that I was in bed with wasn't doing it for me. I remember thinking if this was a woman I was lying with it'd be the best sexual experience of my life."

"Strap on baby. You need to go to a sex shop my friend. And I need to find the right girl." Ronnie bursts into laughter. "Your turn."

"Everything, come on top or bottom, you suck or not, swallow, rimming." he breaks of laughing. "I'm kidding Trev you don't need to tell me anything.

"No it's okay. I've only fooled around with one... uhhh two, well three I guess guys." I stop so that Ronnie can laugh at my count down and he does. "So in order. I have no idea but I think I want to do both, yes I do and I like it in return a lot, never, and not yet." Ronnie counts on his fingers and nods and we both laugh.

"So this guy your friend..." I have to stop and try to think of how to say this exactly. "You said you never spent time with a guy who was gay before..."

"Well I guess I haven't really." Ronnie sighs. "I never really talked to him before or after it was just a pick up in a bar."

I'm kind of shocked. Just when you think you have someone all figured out they surprise you. Its nice to know I'm no the only one with secrets. Makes me think my secrets aren't as bad as I've built them up in my head. Maybe I really am okay.

We're pretty much back at the arena so he tells me he'll have a key for me tomorrow and I can move in whenever I'd like. Ronnie's made sure that I know I can talk to him if I need to and I'm thankful. We also talk about the rent and stuff as we walk into the dressing room. It's all doable. This is going to work out great.

Its still hours until the game and we have no practice again so we decide to grab something to eat. House joins us; we don't go far just to a diner down the street. "So you guys all sorted out." House takes a huge bite of his burger.

"Tonight, he's coming to the game with his brother. Shit." I run up and call back to the arena. Its not too late to get seats set aside but she's not happy with me for making her find free seats so late. Whoops.

"Jesus Trevvie." House chuckles. "Good thing I mentioned it. Poor Thomas'd be at the door claiming he knows you and Joey would be traumatized."

Once we're done eating we head back to the arena and start getting ready for the game. Since Ronnie says everyone does it I look up when everyone is changing and yeah, they are all checking each other out on the sly and no one cares or even seems to notice.

Well fuck it, I'm not going to stare but I'm not going to keep looking at the floor anymore either. I've never really felt out of place in the locker room, like I said its sanctuary but after talking to Ronnie all afternoon it is even more so.

When we go out for our pre game skate I look up into the stands and aside from the one game my parents came to I finally have someone to give a little wave to. Someone there just to see me. Thomas waves back and leans forward to talk to Joanne who's sitting in front of him and Joey.

We're up two nothing by the end of the first period and head off the ice. I dunk my head in the sink soaking it with cool water and suck on a wedge of orange while the other guys go through their rituals. Since we're up Bob doesn't have much of a lecture; he just lets us be.

The second period goes great too. We're still winning. It's not until the third period that I find myself lined up in the face off against Brett. He smirks at me and the game is on again. I don't see him again the rest of the game until he crashes into me from behind in the corner when I manage to snag the puck toward the end of the game.

I fight him off and get the puck to Ronnie and he scores. Ronnie grabs me and hugs me, lifting me off my feet and screams in my ear. The next time we line up, I smirk at Brett and he laughs for a second then pushes me to the ice. And doesn't get a call for it. It doesn't matter we win and just before the game ends I score.

I don't think I've ever gotten dressed after a game as quick as I do tonight. Thomas and Joey are waiting with Joanne and Ed when I'm ready and I grin at him and nearly fall over when Joey hugs me around the waist. He pulls back and hugs me again. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." I laugh, moving to give Thomas a quick hug. He's wearing a tight grey sweater that's clinging to him in a way that makes my mouth go dry. Brett shows up a second later and Joey's eyes nearly pop out of his head when Brett talks to him.

Since we're all alone I lean in and kiss Thomas. He grins and slides his hand around my back then turns to Ed when he asks him a question.

Thomas and Ed are talking and Joey has Brett captured so I decide to tell Joanne that I'm moving out. She already knew. Bob called her the same day he told me. She even offers to help me pack up. I give her a huge hug and thank her and she whispers in my ear when I do. "Thomas is lovely."

Brett gives me a little push from behind and kisses his mom. "Catch you next time Trev." he gives me a hug and presses a discreet kiss behind my ear. He shakes hands Thomas and Joey and says it was nice to meet them and then the Robinson's and Brett leave us alone.

"Wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to." I stick my tongue out at him and we all laugh. "You guys bring a car?"

"Yeah, you can just come with us if you want rather than separate cars." Thomas offers. "I'll bring you back here or whatever to pick your truck up."

"Cool sure." Shit, I think I forgot my wallet. "I have to run back to the locker room. You guys okay here?" They nod so I run back to the locker room.

My wallet is behind the bench by my locker so I don't need to waste any time looking for it. When I get back to the hallway Ronnie is talking to Thomas and Joey. God only knows what about.

Ronnie winks at me and throws his arm over my shoulder when I catch up with them. "So what are you guys doing tonight?"

"Nah, got a date. Gotta find that right girl." Ronnie grins and shakes the brothers' hands. "Nice meeting you both. See you around."

"Totally okay." I grin. We all begin walking out to their car; it's already dark but not too cold. Joey hops in the backseat letting me sit next to his brother. Thomas leans across and kisses the mark he left on my neck last night. We both grin.

Fast food is about all that's open and that suits me fine. While we eat Joey asks me questions about hockey until Thomas threatens to gag him. The whole while we're there mine and Thomas' feet are all tangled up under the table and we brush our hands together and then finally give up and actually hold hands.

"So how much trouble would you be in if everyone found out you were gay?" Joey takes a long sip of his pop. Its too bad that Thomas was as well because he chokes on his, spiting most of it onto the table and me.

I don't mind answering though. "I don't think I'd be in any trouble. Everyone that should know knows."

Thomas leans forward and smacks the back of his brother's head. "Dude what kind of question is that to ask someone you just met? Or someone at all?"

I can hear them but I'm kind of lost in my own head. I do have to be careful, or leave myself open in a way that I'm not ready to yet. Part of me wants to snatch my hand back from Thomas' but I don't. I want him, I want to spend time with him, be with him. I'm not saying forever or anything but if that works out that'd be cool too I guess.

I'm not ready and don't know if I ever will be ready to come out to the public at large, too see every article about me to start with gay hockey star Trevor Linden, that's if they even wrote articles about me anymore. Or to hear fag every time someone checks me, and know they mean it, that they're just not carelessly saying a word. I think my teammates would be okay now, most of them anyway.

But its only going to get harder and harder to do as my career goes on. I'm not going to have a date to all the charity stuff we do without taking that plunge. I'm always going to be lying to someone. I shake my head and force myself out of it. As long as that person's not me or someone I love I think I'll be okay. Even I don't really buy that but I'm hanging on to it for right now. Really tight.

Thomas is smiling at me and Joey looks embarrassed when I look at them again. I give Thomas' hand a squeeze. "Its okay. There's just no answer I can give right now."

Joey nods and crumples up his wrappers. "No, I'm sorry. It's really none of my business, just looking out for my bro."

Joey nods enthusiastically and tells me about his bantam team, they're called the Canucks too. Thomas hasn't said anything and I'm starting to wonder if he's mad.

When we leave he drives to their apartment building and drops Joey off. He hugs me and thanks me again the runs into the building. I tell Thomas the address to the Robinson's; I'll just pick my tuck up tomorrow. He starts driving. I want to talk but don't know where to begin.

Thomas looks at me a few times on the way there but doesn't say anything until he pulls alongside the driveway which is full even without my truck there.

He jumps then takes his belt off as well and turns so we're eye to eye. "I'm so sorry that Joey asked you that, put you on the spot like that."

Moving a little closer to him so I can wrap my arms around him I press my lips to Thomas' and whisper. "It really is okay, it's a reasonable question it just threw me for a loop. It's not going to be easy and only going to get harder. I was so wrapped up in me that I didn't think how the other people in my life will be affected."

"Me too." Thomas' hands slide up my back. "And I already told you how I felt about telling people." his fingers tease the back of my neck as our kiss deepens.

We kiss until it hurts for me to move and then I pull back and lean my head against his shoulder. He makes me feel so comfortable. Not so much physically cause there's not a spot in my body not crying out for release. But I'm at ease with him. "Did you enjoy the game?"

"I loved watching you play." Thomas kisses my forehead. "Not going to turn into a Canuck fan though."

"You got it." Thomas wiggles until we're face to face and we start kissing again. My hands slide under his sweater up his back and I groan at the feel of his smooth skin. He touches me too and I move my hands to the front of his chest.

My thumb brushes against one of his nipples and I jump as much as he does, his reaction affects me as much as a touch from him. Our lips haven't separated yet so all of our moans are muffled. The back of his knuckles brushes against my cock and even through my jeans the touch is almost enough to get me off.

Like last time we get to a place and realize it can't go any further right now. For one thing this car wasn't made for two plus six footers to be making out in, add on that we're both pushing two hundred pounds and its not entirely comfy. And yeah we're on a public street with my 'family' able to peek out us at any time and we know its time to stop.

We don't stop kissing though, but the full body contact is off. "So when are you moving out?" Thomas sucks on my bottom lip.

Holy fuck the slight rasp of his teeth felt good. I suck his tongue into my mouth and let my teeth just barely graze it; he shudders and kisses me harder. Oh yeah he asked me a question. "A week or so I guess. I've got a lot of stuff to get first." my hands cup the sides of his face. I love this, talking and kissing at the same time. Our lips mashing together then just barely brushing together when we talk. "You want to come over when I do?"

"Yeah it will be." I imagine us stretched out in bed, him lying full length against me, his naked body all hot and warm against mine and I groan. Maybe comfortable is the wrong word but whatever the right one is it doesn't matter, I can't wait. I know I've got a lot of shit to buy before I can move in, not the least of which is a bed, but I still can't wait.

Lights turn off inside the house and I lean back against the seat. Thomas lays his head against my shoulder this time and I run my fingers through his hair. Wrapping an inky black curl around my finger I bend my head and kiss it.

"Sleeping with you." I don't know what it is about him but I've got no qualms or nervousness talking to him about anything.

"Well if sleep's all you want you can come back to my apartment and do that now. My mom won't care." Thomas runs his index finger along my cheek.

"I do." he turns and kisses me. "I've been thinking about it too. You're sure you want to, with me since it's..."

"I'd like that a lot." I kiss him again when he says that. "I can help you move in if you like when I'm not working."

He nods and pulls me close to him one more time and he kisses me as hard and deep as we were before. I can barely draw breath when he pulls back.

"Yeah I have school tomorrow." he shakes his head and his hands move from my sides. "I'll call you when I'm done, but I have to work so we can't get together."

"It's okay I have a game and an early practice the next day so talking is cool." I touch the most swollen part of his bottom lip and smile. "Good night."

"Night Trevor." he brushes his lips against mine and comes out side with me. We kiss again, with him having me backed up tight against the side of the car; his body is pressed to mine from our knees to our heads. Thomas' hands cup my ass at the same time that mine find his.

This time its me who leaves the kiss first, licking down the side of his neck and sucking on the slick, warm, skin then licking the mark that's already sprouting out. "Turnabout and all that huh?" Thomas giggles when I kiss the mark again.

"You bet." I nip his bottom lip and we break fully apart. We don't say anything more, Thomas gets back in the car and I walk up the short driveway.

Leaning against the door I watch Thomas put the car in gear and start backing up. I wave when he does and watch him drive away. As he drives away I realize that Ronnie and House are right, I don't need to have all the answers right now.