All Chapters of Owned on the Ice M/M Romance: Chapter 361 - Chapter 369

Jax lay there, sprawled and wrecked, chest rising and falling hard. The sight of him like that still felt unreal to Ryder, loose, exposed, not the version of Calloway he knew how to hate.Ryder wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a reflex he couldn’t stop, humiliation prickling hot along his neck. His hands felt wrong at his sides. Too empty. His body hadn’t caught up yet, still buzzing, still confused by how much he’d enjoyed being the one to do that to him.Jax stared at the ceiling for a second, then let out a breathy laugh that sounded more like disbelief than humor.“Fuck,” he said. Then, quieter, “Hayes.”Ryder stayed where he was, pulse loud in his ears. Part of him wanted to bolt. Another part wanted to lean closer, like proximity might explain what had just happened.“Just—” Jax dragged a hand over his face, already pulling himself back together, armor sliding on by degrees. “For future reference. If a guy you’re blowing tries to push your head away…” His eyes slid to

Larsson didn’t drag it out.That was almost worse.The locker room went still, the usual team noise flattening into something tight and watchful. Ryder sat on the bench, elbows on his knees, jaw set. He could feel Jax across the room without looking.Larsson cleared his throat. “Goalies first.”A groan rippled through the room.“Starting goalie,” Larsson said, eyes flicking to the clipboard, “Dane Riker.”The groan got louder.Dane lifted a hand like a king accepting tribute. Ryder rolled his eyes and caught Connor doing the same a few stalls down.“Backup,” Larsson continued. “Max Sullivan.”That one landed easier. Expected. A few nods. Max gave a tight smile and looked down at his skates.“Defense.” Larsson took a breath. “Connor Reynolds.”Connor exhaled and bumped his shoulder against the locker behind him, satisfied.“Drew McKinley.”Drew lifted his chin, calm as ever, like he’d known all along.More names followed. Backup defensemen. Ryder zoned out again, letting the sound wash

“Don’t do this.”“Do what?” Ryder shot back.Jax exhaled slowly. “I told you. I’m not your friend, Hayes.”“Right. Right, right, right.” Ryder nodded too fast. “Yeah, sure. But you’ve been real fucking friendly these past few days, that’s all. Don’t worry, I don’t want to braid your hair or some shit.” He leaned back, spreading his hands. “If I’m fucking a guy, I just want the full experience, okay.”One of Jax’s brows arched.“What,” Ryder pressed, defensive now, “you don’t have time for one goddamn drink?”Jax sighed, rubbing his thumb along the rim of his glass. “You’re trying to take me on some shitty date, Hayes?”“Whoa—no.” Ryder barked a laugh. “What the hell, man? I have a girlfriend. And this is not a shitty date.”“Wow, okay,” Jax said dryly. “Lucky Lila.”Ryder squared his shoulders. “Yeah. Lucky Lila. But this isn’t a date, and we’re not besties. It’s just—part of hooking up. Alright?” He gestured between them. “So drink your drink and get your shit together on the ice.”“

The rink was chaos before practice.Sticks clattered. Someone blasted music from a phone speaker. Half the team argued over tape and missing gloves.Ryder shoved his bag under the bench and looked up just in time to catch Jax glancing his way.It was quick. Barely a second.But Jax's mouth tipped slightly, like he’d been waiting for Ryder to walk in.Ryder looked away first, grabbing his gear before Connor or Drew could notice and start their usual bullshit again.It didn’t help.“Calloway!” Connor’s voice exploded across the room. “You bring the Mustang today?”Jax didn’t even look up. “I always bring the Mustang.”“Let me drive it.”“No.”Drew leaned over the back of the bench behind him. “Five minutes.”“No.”“Two minutes.”“Still no.”Connor pointed accusingly. “You let Hayes sit in it all the time.”Ryder choked on his water bottle. “What's that got to do with it? Zach's been in there too!”Jax finally looked up, mouth twitching. “He didn’t ask. He just got in.”Connor gasped. “S

Jax watched them.Deliberately. Ryder leaned in closer, nuzzling lightly against Lila’s neck.“Ry!” she laughed, squirming. “That tickles—stop!”Ryder tried to keep his eyes on Jax while he did it, trying to hold that stare, unfazed. Like he hadn't spent the entire day feeling sick with worry.Jax’s jaw tightened.For a second Ryder thought he had him. Then Jax started walking straight toward them.Ryder’s nerve faltered almost immediately. He’d imagined this differently. Jax looking regretful. Apologetic. Maybe even a little desperate.Instead he just looked tired. Pissed. Like he didn’t have the energy for whatever game Ryder was trying to play. Jax reached the cupboard beside them, grabbed a glass, and poured himself a drink without looking at Ryder again.“Jax! There you are,” Lila said brightly.Jax took a long swallow before answering. “Yeah.”He grabbed a bite of something off the counter and leaned back against it.“Where were you?” she asked, tilting her head.“Shit day,” h