Page 61 of Bar Down

There’s mock offense written all over his face. “Excuse me, if anything, I’m an orange cat. You know, like the ones with only one brain cell.”

“You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for,” I say and catch the end of a shy, appreciative smile on his face.

Ash looks behind me, eyebrows drawn together, then looks back at me. “So,” he hesitates, taking another bite of breadstick, “how was yournon-datethis morning?”

I laugh, thinking how right he was and ponder how to tell him. Maybe he deserves to be messed with just a little.

“Oh it was definitely a date,” I say and take a big bite of pasta. Ash’s eyes go wide and he looks behind me again. I turn to see what or who he’s looking at and see Juuse laughing with some other players, grabbing food. He notices us and gives me a wink.Shit.

When I turn to Ash, he looks like someone just kicked his puppy. No, he looks likehe’sthe kicked puppy. I immediately feel bad for my idiotic comment.Of course it wasn’t a date.

I don’t get to take it back because Juuse comes up and asks, “Mind if I join?”

Ash nods, and turns his focus on the food while Juuse takes a seat to my left. There’s an awkward silence but Juuse fills it with questions about Grand Marquee and the Calder Cup. Ash politely nods and smiles along and I hate this subdued version of him. I nudge his leg with mine under the table and watch his profile for a reaction, but he doesn’t give me anything. He just ignores it, and that makes me feel even worse.

“Got any plans for tonight?” Juuse asks and it takes me longer than it should to respond so he says, “A few of us werethinking of renting a boat and taking it out into the bay. You’re both welcome to join if you want.”

He lets the question hang and when Ash doesn’t say anything either I make an attempt at a joke. “Nah. Ash doesn’t like boats that much.”

His head snaps up and he glares at me. At my smile, he bites the inside of his cheek, realizing what I’m doing.Come on, hani. Play with me.

“Bullshit. I love boats, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, so you’ll come?” Juuse asks. Ash looks at me skeptically to see my response.

“We actually have something else planned,” I tell him. “Maybe next time.”

“Of course, the offer stands if you change your mind.” He gets up, grabs his empty plate and water bottle, then over his shoulder he adds, “On both counts.”

“What does that mean?” Ash asks, eying me wearily.

I let out a long sigh. “I’ll tell you all about it in the car.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

ASH

After signing moreautographs and taking pictures with the fans, Eli and I finally leave the arena. It’s a beautiful day in Traverse City as we drive the M-31 along the bay with the windows down, listening to the local hits radio station. The water is still and a beautiful blue color, and the sun is reflecting off of it. A variety of boats are out, from pontoons, to yachts, to sailboats, and even kayaks and paddleboards. People are riding bicycles in their dedicated lanes and the park along the bay is full of tourists and locals, playing volleyball on the small courts there or lounging in their hammocks or on their picnic blankets.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” I say, rolling the windows up and turning on the AC.

Eli hums and looks around the bay with as much adoration as I just did. This place is truly incredible and the drive up to the cabin on Lake Leelanau is just as beautiful, with so many trees and greenery the closer we get. Eli turns the radio volume down and turns in his seat enough to face me. I don’t know if I should be concerned or not.

“I’m sorry, about earlier. I—” He takes a deep breath and looks to the side. “Juuse thought our meeting this morning was a date. I made it clear that it wasn’t, but I also didn’t hide from him. I told him I’m gay.”

I nod along, a smile blooming on my face. When I look at Eli, he looks nervous, eyes wearily tracking me for a reaction. “Eli, that's great! I’m so proud of you.” His face softens and he smiles.

“I also told him I’m seeing someone,” he says, his hand grabbing mine where it dangles from the center console. Eli links our fingers together, squeezing once, before letting go and tracing his fingertips along my palm, my wrist, up my arm and along my vine tattoo. His fingers are warm against my cold skin and his touch leaves a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

“You did?” I manage to get out.

“I did,” he says, linking our fingers again and bringing my hand up to his mouth. Good thing there’s no one on this road, because I am too distracted by this beautiful man and the way he’s touching me. His lips are warm against the back of my hand and I’m left empty and cold when he places it back on the center console. His hand continues to hold mine and that makes me smile.

“You know, if you wanted to go to the boat party, I wouldn’t have an issue with that,” I hear myself say. I would probably not go since I’m trying to stay sober, but Eli could go enjoy himself. Make some new friends.

“Do you want to go?”

“Not really.”

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