Page 100 of Skating to Him

Danny’s brows snapped up. “So, you two got attacked over a girl, not because you’re queer?”

“Yeah, basically.” I freed a soft chuckle. Why was I laughing? The whole thing sounded stupid when you put it how Danny did, and now the fucker, Knight, had started a shitstorm with my family. God, the next time I saw him on the ice…

“Did you win the fight? What did the other guys look like?” Aaron glanced at Dad and then frowned. “Dad, you’re cool with this, right?”

Dad peeked at me. “I need a moment.” He swiveled, strode to the liquor cabinet, and poured himself a bourbon. After drinking the whole thing, he hissed and stared out the window over the cabinet, his hands resting on the edge of it.

“Dad?” Aaron stepped toward him.

“Leave him be, Aaron.” I held my hand out to my brother. This was what I was afraid of. “Aaron, how did Dad find out about the picture?” It wasn’t like he was always checking my Instagram feed.

Aaron’s attention drew back to me, his forehead creasing. “We were playing cards in the kitchen when I saw it.” He dipped his head and focused on me. “I was so surprised. I guess I wasn’t thinking and made a joke?—”

“Don’t blame your brother, Rowan.” Dad’s jaw bulged as he tensed his mouth and approached the couch. As he gripped the back of the couch facing the one I sat on, his knuckles went white. “I don’t want you or Tyler to take this wrong. I don’t have a problem with queer people, and I knew Tyler was gay…but, Rowan, are you sure?” His brows creased.

I glared at my father. “Yes, I’m sure, Dad. Why?” With my chest twisting, I squeezed Tyler into my side. “I love Tyler, and he loves me. We have something special, and not just on the ice.” I glanced at Aaron and Danny, both chewing their lips and watching me. This was a trial of sorts for them too. “I was going to come out to everyone when I got here, but then Mom…” My voice cracked and my vision blurred.

“Babe, you don’t have to go on.” Tyler grabbed my hand and kissed the back of my knuckles, dropping the ice pack to his lapand peering at Dad. “John, it was hard for my dad at first, too, but he got over it, and we have a great relationship now. Rowan’s biggest fear was upsetting you all and causing more stress for Sharon. We hadn’t planned on her having a flare-up when we decided to be together for New Year’s.”

Aaron’s gaze cut to our father’s. Holding his hands out in a pleading gesture, he said, “Dad, you know Mom won’t care. She’ll be happy for them. If Rowan’s going to have a gay relationship, at least he picked one of the best D-men in NCAA hockey, a guy who can and is helping him reach his NHL goals.”

With a huff, Dad strode to the liquor cabinet and took another shot of bourbon. With a chuckle, he said, “Aaron, you have a way of putting things, don’t you?” He turned around, breathed in deeply, and made his way back to us. Stretching his hand out to Tyler, he said, “Welcome to the family, son.”

With wide eyes, Tyler stood, steadied himself, and shook his hand. “It’s an honor, sir. Your son is an amazing man, and your family has been so welcoming. I’m looking forward to many great years with him.” He peeked back at me. “On and off the ice.”

Mom wheeled into the room in her chair. Clapping her hands in front of her mouth, she said, “Oh, aren’t you both lovely.” Her eyes glistened. “I’m so happy for you, Rowan and Tyler. Come here.” She held her arms out.

“Ma, how’d you get in your chair?” I hopped off the couch along with Tyler, and we both jogged to her. I kissed her forehead and hugged her.

“I’m feeling stronger. I wasn’t going to let a flare-up keep me from witnessing my son’s coming out.” She wrapped one arm around me and one around Tyler. “You make such a handsome couple.” She beamed at both of us. “I knew you were together the moment I saw how you looked at each other.”

I gave Tyler a broad smile and then kissed his cheek. “I should have known.”

Rubbing his eyes, Aaron said, “Dad, I’m having a shot ofbourbon, and you can’t stop me.” He strutted to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass. “Here’s to my brother banging the newest team member of the Blackhawks.” He held up the glass and gulped down the liquor.

“Aaron,” I said through a snicker while Tyler and I freed Mom.

Shaking his head, Dad scoffed a laugh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t say anything like that again.” He faced me. “And don’t think I’m going to let you sleep in the same room now. If you had a girl home, you’d be in separate rooms too.”

“Dad, I’m not sixteen. I’m twenty-three, and so is Tyler.” I glanced at Tyler, smirking at me. We were too beat up for sex tonight anyway.

“Listen to your father, Rowan.” Mom covered her mouth and giggled.

“With that, I’m off to bed.” Danny walked toward the stairs. “I’m on the same floor as you guys, and I don’t care what you do. Just keep it down.” He threw a sly grin at Dad.

Dad rubbed his temples. “Aaron, pour us both another.”

“Hell yeah.” Aaron poured two more drinks.

“Let’s get our ice and go to my room.” I glanced at Dad, downing another shot with Aaron. “We need to get more ice on your head.”

“And on your eye.” Grabbing my hand, he squeezed it and peeked at Mom. “Goodnight, Sharon. It’s good to see you up and around.”

“We’ll spend some time together tomorrow. You two go and heal up.” She waved us off.

After gettingto my room with fresh ice packs, I toed off my shoes and guided Tyler to lie on my bed on his back. “Here.” Iset the ice pack on his forehead. “We have a thing for getting injuries that we have to ice.”

“That we do.” His lips curled into a soft smile. “I’m sort of glad Knight did what he did. I mean the part about posting a picture of us kissing, not confronting us at the bar.”

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