Between the Pipes

by Stephanin Hecht

  As soon as the door to the ref’s room opened, Wade moved in. Putting a hand on Trey’s chest, Wade pushed the goalie back inside. A look of shock and outrage passed over Trey’s face before recognition flickered in his blue eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” Trey asked, tilting his head up slightly so he could peer up under the half-shield on his player’s helmet.

  “I wanted to say hello to you before you were surrounded by your mini-fan club,” Wade said before he dipped his head down and gave Trey a warm, soft, carnal kiss that left them both breathless.

  “That was one hell of a hello,” Trey snarked, his smile showing he knew how cringe-worthy his own play on words sounded.

  “I missed you the past two nights. I’m beginning to really hate it when the Hawks have away games.”

  “Did you watch the game on TV? I heard the local cable channel played it live.” There was no missing the hopeful look in Trey’s eyes.

  “As if I would miss a chance to watch my favorite goalie in action.” Trey started to mouth a thank you, but Wade cut him off. “Hayward from the Colts is the best net master in your league.”

  Trey gave him a playful punch on the arm. “Hayward is just a two hundred pound waste of space. I’d challenge him to a shoot-out any day. I’d clean the ice with his sorry ass, too.”

  Of that Wade had no doubt. All kidding aside, Trey really was ten times better than the Colts goaltender.

  Before Wade could say as much, Trey continued with his tirade. “I’m serious. That guy has a five-hole as big as the city of Detroit’s debt.”

  Wade put his arms around Trey’s waist and brought him in for another kiss. The liplock served two purposes. First, it shut Trey up and second, the man’s lips were just too tempting to resist. They made out for a few moments and by the time Wade pulled back, Trey had that sappy grin on his face again.

  Wade reached out and fingered the hard plastic. “Promise me you’ll wear your goalie mask and pads to bed someday.”

  Trey smirked. “We actually have to sleep together for that to happen.”

  “Be patient. I promise I’m going to make love to you soon.” Wade brushed the back of his knuckles against Trey’s jaw. Since it was later in the day, Trey had a hint of stubble and it felt deliciously rough against Wade’s skin.

  “We’ve been going out for two weeks though. How much longer are you going to make me wait?” Trey groaned so sweetly that Wade as half-tempted to bend him over the nearby bench and take him right then and there.

  “I’ll bet that’s been the longest dry spell for you in quite a while?” Wade teased, his thumb rubbing against Trey’s bottom lip.

  “Yes,” Trey replied, the words slightly muffled because Wade has slid his thumb into his mouth.

  “And it has been that long because since we met, you haven’t been with anybody else.” It was a statement rather than a question. Even though they hadn’t spent every night of those two weeks together, Wade knew Trey hadn’t gone elsewhere to burn off the edge. Not that they’d made any promises to each other, but all Wade had to do was look into Trey’s eyes to see the devotion there, which was a thrill, considering how Trey had all but tripped on himself to get away from Wade after their one and only sexual encounter. It just went to show how much could change in just fourteen short days.

  Trey took Wade’s thumb in deeper, sucking so hard his cheeks hollowed out. His head was slightly tilted down so the helmet shielded his eyes, but Wade knew they’d be dark with passion. While they may not have fucked again, they’d done enough kissing and heavy petting for Wade to know how Trey’s face looked when he was deep in the moment.

  Wade sucked in a breath as he felt the velvet slide of Trey’s tongue against the tip of this thumb. Trey hummed low in his throat before he bobbed his head up and down a few times, worshiping Wade’s thumb as if it were the most delicious cock he’d ever tasted. The noise from the rest of the rink seemed to fade away as it felt like they were the only ones left in the world. All that mattered was him, Trey and the connection they had together.

  Damn, if Wade got this worked up over having one digit sucked, how would it be when they finally got naked and tangled in the sheets again? Trey let out a soft whimper as he reached out and curled the fingers of one hand around Wade’s wrist.

  Just as Wade felt the last shred of his self-control start to slip away, a fist pounded on the door and an unfamiliar voice called, “You ready, Trey? The kids are waiting for you.”

  Trey gave Wade’s thumb one last lick before letting the digit slip from between his soft lips. “I guess I better get going before they barge in here and catch me getting ready to go down on you.”

  The thought of Trey down on his knees, blue eyes peering through the clear face shield, ripped a moan from Wade’s throat. “Are you trying to kill me here?” That impish smile Wade loved so much came over Trey’s face.

  “Maybe I’m trying to get you to lift this no-sex ban sooner. If I keep having to go into my shower to relieve myself, my neighbors are going to start thinking I have a cleaning fetish or something.”

  “Why don’t you come over tonight?” Wade suggested.

  Trey made a face. “I would love to, but I have the interview with that magazine early in the morning.”

  “I thought you hated interviews.”

  “I normally do, but it’s for some gay publication. They want to do an article on gay professional sports figures and they asked me, Devon and Sergei if we’d answer some questions and pose for a few pictures. I wanted to say no at first, but then I thought that maybe it would help some kids to know that they’re not alone in the world. I remember how hard and scary it was for me when I first came out and if I can just help ease one teen through that, then it’ll be worth having to deal with some nosy reporter.”

  Wade gave him a soft kiss. “I’m very proud of you. See, I told you that you’re more than just a pretty face.”

  For once, Trey didn’t argue. He just gave a shy smile before he turned away and left the locker room. Wade followed him to the rink and gave him a wave before making his way to the stands. By the time he found a seat, Trey was already surrounded by his gaggle of students.

  As they went through the various drills, Wade couldn’t help but be in awe of how much his nephew had improved. Trey had taken a kid who couldn’t even stand on skates and made a halfway decent goalie out of him. Andy even managed to stop most of the pucks that came his way. Where Wade used to flinch when the kid had to deal with a breakaway, he now found himself getting excited as he watched the youth face off against the shooters during a drill.

  He was so caught up in the action on the ice, he didn’t notice someone had sat down next to him until a voice said, “He’s really good with them.”

  Wade jerked his head to the side and had to work hard to hide his shock when he recognized it was Devon who had joined him. Wade nodded his agreement. “If Trey were to ever leave the pros, I think he’d have a real good career in coaching.”

  They were silent for a few minutes, but Wade could sense the hostility from the other man. It was so thick that it was nearly palpable. So when Devon flashed him a dirty look, it didn’t come much as a surprise.

  “I don’t want you and Trey seeing each other,” Devon finally said, his voice hard and final, as if he were used to others just nodding and going along with his orders.

  Unfortunately for him, Wade wasn’t just anybody. “Tough, that’s not your decision to make. Last time I checked, Trey was a big boy and could make his own choices,” Wade returned, his tone just as stony.

  “That’s just it, Trey doesn’t always know what’s best for him.”

  “And you do?”

  “I’ve gotten him this far, haven’t I?”

  Trey glanced their way and stopped his on-ice activity to openly stare at them. Even from a distance, Wade could make out the way the goalie’s teeth worked his bottom lip. From day one, Wade had pegged that as Trey’s biggest tell whenever he was nervous. />
  “You told Trey not to see me, didn’t you?’ Wade surmised.

  “Yeah, I made it clear to him that morning I picked him up from your house,” Devon informed him bluntly.

  “Yet, he didn’t obey you because we’ve been together nearly every day since.” Wade couldn’t help but feel a thrill of pride at Trey’s rebellion.

  “Like I said, Trey doesn’t always know what’s good for him,” Devon interjected, his eyes flashing with anger.

  Wade let out a long-suffering sigh. “Look, I’m not an idiot. I know you guys have some big family secret that you’re afraid of getting out.”

  Terror briefly flirted in Devon’s eyes before he blinked it away. “Oh, so the cop has it all figured out?”

  “Not really, I just know Trey’s hiding something from me. Something so big that you and Chad are terrified of letting him get close to somebody because you’re afraid he’ll slip up and let it out. I just don’t know for certain what it is.”

  In all honestly, Wade had a pretty good inkling it had something to do with their father’s supposed suicide, but he didn’t say that bit aloud. Given what scraps of info Trey had shared about the bastard, he no doubt got what he deserved.

  When he realized he’d stunned Devon into silence, Wade continued, “The thing is, I don’t care what it is. Unless you’re a family of serial killers who live to lure stranded college coeds to your creepy mansion. That’s not the case, is it?”

  Devon just shook his head.

  Wade added, “All I care about is him and his happiness.” He pointed to Trey in case Devon had any doubt who he was referring to.

  “Just how close have you and my brother been getting?” Devon demanded.

  “Close enough for me to realize that I want to spend the rest of my life with him,” Wade admitted.

  Devon blinked a few times. “What does Trey say about that?”

  “I haven’t told him yet. I was planning on laying everything out for him tomorrow.”

  “But you’ve only known him a couple of weeks.”

  “I knew the minute I saw him. It just took me this long to realize how much he means to me. I can only hope he returns the feelings.” He waved at Trey who halfheartedly returned the gesture, his face still troubled.

  They were silent for a few more moments before Devon let out a noise that sounded halfway between a grunt and a moan. “Damn it, Trey never could do anything easy. Only he would fall for a cop.”

  “I told you, he hasn’t told me how he felt about us.”

  “Oh, he’s got it bad for you. Otherwise, he never would have gone out with you this many times.” Devon paused, before amending, “No, check that. He wouldn’t have gone out with you period. He hasn’t trusted any guy beyond a quick fuck for more than five years.”

  “Since his ex outed him to the press,” Devon surmised, several pieces suddenly clicking into place.

  “Yeah, while he could never be betrayed in that specific way again because that cat was already out of the bag, so to speak, he still couldn’t trust anyone again. That is until you came along.”

  Trey went back to coaching the kids, but he still kept darting worried glances in their direction.

  Devon continued, “Trey’s also never broken a promise to me, which is exactly what he did to be with you.”

  “Sorry about that,” Wade drawled sarcastically.

  “Yeah, it may take me a couple of years, but I guess I’ll get over it,” Devon shot back just as sarcastically.

  “I do have one question for you,” Wade said, his gaze locked on Trey.

  “Just one?”

  “Yeah, who is Trey hiding out in his apartment?”

  There was pregnant pause that went on so long, Wade finally tore his gaze away from Trey.

  Devon wore a confused look that was too genuine to be faked. “Why do you think he has someone living with him?”

  “When I go up to the door, I can hear two voices, plus I’ve seen the blinds moving when we’re walking out to my car.”

  “You mean like they would be if someone was looking out the window?”

  Wade nodded. “Do you have any idea who it may be?”

  Devon thought a few moments before he let out a low curse. “Son-of-a-bitch! It has to be Brock.”

  “Your older brother? I thought he was estranged from the rest of you?”

  “We all still send him money from time-to-time, but I have a feeling Trey’s been sending him a lot more than me or Chad. He’s always had a soft spot as far as Brock is concerned.”

  “Any reason why Trey hasn’t told you that Brock is in town?”

  “Because he knows that Chad and I wouldn’t approve of him taking in the loser. Not to sound harsh or anything, but Brock would sell our grandmother if it meant getting his daily fix.” Devon let out another curse.

  “Would Brock ever hurt Trey?” Wade asked, a rush of protectiveness going through him.

  In his experience as a cop, he found that there wasn’t anything an addict wouldn’t do to get their drugs. Just a month ago, he’d responded to a call where a teen had beat his grandmother because the woman wouldn’t give him anymore cash.

  “Do you mean physically?”

  “Yes.”

  Devon appeared to think that one over carefully before he gave a jerky nod. “It kills me to say this, but Brock always had a bit of our dad in him.”

  A huge ball of panic slid down Wade’s spine before settling heavily into his gut. “I can’t let Trey go back there.”

  “Good luck with that one,” Devon snorted. “Trey’s never going to listen as far as Brock goes.”

  “We can’t just sit back and do nothing,” Wade protested.

  No, he’d just have to find a way to make Trey listen to reason. If that didn’t work, then Wade would just throw the goalie over his shoulder, take him home and tie him to the bed until he was ready to see what a mistake he was making.

  Devon sighed. “Why don’t we meet at Trey’s in a few hours? That’ll give me some time to round up Chad. Maybe if the three of us confront him together, Trey will listen.”

  “And if not?”

  A wicked smile spread over Devon’s face. “Well then you, me and Chad will just have to convince Brock that it would be much, much better for his health to leave Battle Creek for good.”

  Chapter Eight

  After practice, Trey fully expected there to be a confrontation with Devon and Wade. Much to his shock, however, they both left before Trey came off the ice. Even more surprising, the two of them seemed to have formed a peace of sorts. At least Trey thought they had. Since they’d been in the stands the entire time, he hadn’t been able to hear their conversation. Instead, he had to make the best translation as he could, going by hand gestures and facial expressions.

  So he’d fully expected to get off the ice and be facing some huge fight. Instead, they’d both left without so much as a goodbye. Trey didn’t know whether to be insulted or relieved.

  As he approached his apartment, Trey frowned when he spotted the door slightly ajar. Damn it, looks like he was going to have to give Brock the whole lock-the-door-unless-you-want-to-wake-up-spooning-a-homeless-man speech again.

  “Brock, you better watch it or you’re going to get fondled and not in a good way,” Trey called as he walked in.

  The smile left his face as he got a good gander at the inside of his place. It looked as if a hurricane followed by a tsunami, then a team of graffiti artists had swept through.

  All the walls were covered with black and red spray paint. The majority of the writing was just random phrases, most of which didn’t make sense and confused him in a chilling way. Doggy style. Poetry is in my mind. I have the sun in my brain. Our sins lead us to our paths.

  That was just the beginning of the horror. There were also deep gouges in the walls and couches, as if someone had taken a blade to them. Stuffing and shredded wallpaper mixed in with a good half inch of water already pooling into the carpet. Rushing to the bathroo
m, Trey shut off the source of the flood, the overflowing bathtub. As he looked at the damage in there, his heart sank lower. The toilet and sink laid in a million different pieces, the porcelain reduced to near dust.

  The mirror had been punched, the cracks forming a circular spider-weave pattern. Written over it in blood was Trey, this is all your fault. You killed him. Tremors broke out over Trey’s body as he found himself fixated on those hateful words. He wanted to turn away, but found himself trapped, much like an animal caught in the crosshairs of a rifle. He stood there, for God knows how long, before Wade found him.

  Letting out a cry of relief, Wade rushed forward and put his arms around Trey’s chest. “There you are. When I came in and saw the place trashed, I got worried that you were here when it all happened.”

  Trey wanted to answer him—to reassure Wade he was all right, but the words got stuck in his throat. Then the trembling grew worse, until it got to the point where Trey couldn’t breathe. All he could do was sit there, gasping like some freak as he stared at those words, Trey, this is all your fault. You killed him.

  “Hey, are you with me here, babe?” Wade asked, his voice cracking with concern.

  Then things got from bad to ah-hell-no when Trey heard Chad and Devon’s voices. It was only a matter of seconds before they were hovering, too. Wade grabbed Trey by the shoulders and led him back into the living room, their shoes making the most annoying squishing sounds as they became even more soaked with water.

  “He lied to me,” Trey finally managed to rasp.

  “Most addicts do,” Wade soothed as he spun Trey around and pulled him into a protective embrace.

  “He’s not just some addict. He’s my brother—or at least that’s what I thought,” Trey protested softly. “How could I have been so stupid?”

  Wade ran a comforting hand through Trey’s hair and shooshed him. “You weren’t stupid. You just acted out of love.”

  “I should have known better. I just wanted to believe him this time. When he told me that he was going to get clean for me, I thought that maybe this time he’d actually be able to do it.”