Page 50 of Just Forever

RYKER

There’sa strange dichotomy developing between the two most important aspects of my life. I’m living the dream, but at the same time I can’t wait to leave Montreal and get back home to Lake.

Kian is snoring in the seat next to me. Dude has a ridiculous ability to fall asleep the moment his ass touches the seat on a plane. I have no fucking clue how he does it. Everybody else is still keyed up from the game. It takes me hours to try and decompress and relax after a game, so sleep is not an option, but Kian sleeps like a baby. It’s uncanny.

I have to shake him awake once we land. He looks around blearily for a while before he shakes his head, gets up, and stretches. It’s really late by the time we finally get off the plane, but I’m back in New York, and as soon as I can find a cab, or an Uber, or a horse-drawn carriage for all I care, I’m as good as home already.

“Yo, James.” Kian jogs after me once I’ve gathered my shit. “You got somebody picking you up?”

“No.”

“Want to share a ride?”

I’m just about to shrug and say sure, but something makes me look up, and I come to a halt when I see Lake. He’s casually leaning against a wall, eyes on me, head tilted to the left slightly. He’s wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and looks both effortlessly cool and hot as fuck.

My heart goes haywire, and my smile grows so big astronauts can probably spot it from space.

Forgetting everything and everyone else, I stride toward him and once I’m in front of him, I pull him into a hug. For a few precious moments, I just hold him as tightly as I can.

Lake slumps against me, but only for a moment before he catches himself. “We’re not alone,” he murmurs. He claps me on the back and takes a step away. “I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I’d give you a ride.”

I want to say “I love you” and “you’re the best husband ever” and “I missed you so fucking much.” I want to kiss him. All the things I can’t do right now.

Lake sends me a knowing look and a small smile.

Later, he mouths before he squares his shoulders. “Ready to head out?”

I nod. “Just let me get my bags.”

I turn around and then I finally remember Kian. Mostly because he’s still standing where I left him, eyeing me and Lake almost curiously before the easygoing grin is back.

“Hey, dude,” he says, holding out his hand toward Lake. “Kian.”

Lake shakes Kian’s hand and nods. “Lake. I’m uh…” He stumbles on his words for a quick second but shakes it off quickly enough. “I’m Ryk’s roommate.”

“Cool,” Kian says, then tilts his chin toward me. “I’m your boy’s work husband.”

Lake’s lips twitch. “Yeah, I’ve heard about you.”

“I leave an impression.” He eyes Lake curiously, and I suddenly feel like the biggest asshole. It just that hiding takes so much effort, so it felt so much easier to put a clear border between the two parts of my life. A nice, clean cut that allows me to do what I love on one side and be who I am on the other.

It felt sort of neat up until now, but right this second, it starts to also feel cowardly and unfair more than anything else.

“Do you need a ride?” Lake asks Kian. His eyes move to me questioningly, like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to offer.

I have to get my shit together.

“We’re basically headed your way,” I say.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Kian says easily.

We grab our bags and head to the parking garage. My dad gave me a new car after I graduated. Or, to be more precise, he told me he’d get me a new car. I said there was no need. He got me a new car anyway. I rarely see him, since his life is in LA, and he’s usually too wrapped up in his work, so he likes to compensate for that by throwing around money.

Once we find the car and have our stuff in the back, Lake tosses me the keys. He doesn’t love driving in the city, so if he can avoid it, he will.

“Shotgun!” Kian calls out and heads to the driver’s side door.

I stop with my fingers already on the door handle.

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