Page 73 of Skating to Him

“Likewise.” Shaking my hand, he smirked at me. “Sorry for my obnoxious boyfriend.” His smirk widened and he held up a finger. “And yes, he’s always like that.”

“Like what?” Mason twirled around, his gaze trapping on mine. “Holy fucking shit. Tyler’s newfriend.” Tonguing his cheek, he planted his hands on his hips and looked me up and down. “Fucking hot for a straight guy. Tyler hasn’t tried to get in your pants on the road yet?”

“Uh…” Dipping his head, Tyler peeked at me and tented his hands over his nose, then dropped them. “Rowan? You want to tell him?”

I stuck my hand out to Mason. “I kissed him first, and yes, he got in my pants on the road.” I curled one side of my lips.

“You dog, you.” Mason wrapped both his hands around mine, his eyes lighting up. “So, you’re a hot queer guy.” He gavemy hand a furious shake and let it go. “Tell me more. Are you boyfriends yet?”

Myles and Archer turned around from the couch, and shaking his head and smiling, Leo stopped cooking to watch us.

“We are…boyfriends. I was attracted to Tyler from the beginning and didn’t understand it at first. But I’ve gotten over all that.” What else was there to tell? I took a deep inhale. “I have a gay friend back home. He helped me figure my shit out.”

“Thank God for that. You a New Englander like me?” He slapped my shoulder. “That Boston accent is hard to miss.”

“I am.” I snatched Tyler’s hand. Mason was an interesting character. I’d love to hang out with him more.

“Good, we’ve got to stick together. These Midwesterners are a handful.” He waltzed into the kitchen. “Not to mention the desert rat here.” He patted Leo on the back, and they side-hugged each other. “How ya doin’, man?”

“Great, Mason. Want a beer?” Leo opened the refrigerator and handed Mason a canned beer.

“Hell yeah.” Mason snicked the beer open. “Jett? Leo’s got a bottle of wine over here too.”

“Wine would be perfect.” Jett greeted Leo with a hug. As he chuckled, he said, “At least Mason knew better than to chirp on Cali.”

Leo poured a glass of red wine for Jett and handed it to him. “He knows where his bread is buttered.” He chuckled.

Jett swirled the wine in his glass and took a sip. “Damn, this is good. Pinot Noir?” He picked up the bottle and looked at the label. “From Simi Valley.”

“Yeah, it’s one of my mom’s favorites for Thanksgiving.” Leo picked up his own wine and drank it.

“Leo’s using it to get over his hangover from cooking with his mom last night.” Archer walked into the kitchen and wound an arm around Leo.

“Thank you for spending this day with us. I know we took you away from your family today.” Jett squeezed Leo’s arm.

“No problem. I’ve spent every other Thanksgiving with them, so this wasn’t a big deal. Plus, they’ve got my brother and his boyfriend, along with the boyfriend’s family, over today. So, it’s a full house.” Leo kissed Archer’s cheek. “It’s nice being here with my hockey family.”

“Is it ever.” Mason sauntered to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “And we have a new member.” He planted a quick kiss on my cheek. “Welcome to the squad, Rowan.” He freed me.

My heart burst with warmth and my eyes stung as my gaze cut to Tyler’s. “Thank you. You guys have something special here, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Tyler walked to me, grabbed my hand, and pressed a lingering kiss on my mouth. Under his breath, he said, “Love you.”

“Awe, isn’t that sweet? They’re in love.” Mason snorted and clapped while the rest of the room cheered and whooped.

I belly laughed. This might be the best Thanksgiving I’d had in a long-ass time.

After a filling afternoon meal,while simultaneously watching the football game, I retired to the couch with Leo while the rest of the guys cleaned up. It was only fitting since we’d cooked. Holding a hand on my belly, I watched the Giants kick the Cowboys asses in the second football game of the day. “You like football, Leo?”

“Sure. I like hockey better.” Ticking his brows, he threw me a wry smile.

“Ah, you’re a smart man.” With a grin sweeping over my lips, I patted his thigh. “Tell me more about your situation with your family and how you came out to them.” At some point, I’d have to do the same, right? Maybe Christmas would be a good time.

He shifted and drank some wine and then stared at the glass as he held it in his lap. “It was complicated. My brother, Axel, was always the out and proud son.” Leo glanced behind us toward the guys cleaning and joking around in the kitchen. “My brother’s a lot like Mason. He doesn’t hold back. He’s always known what he wanted, and he’s always gone for it.” He chuckled. “Including my best friend, Remy, even though we all thought Remy was straight.”

I widened my eyes. There were lots of dudes who didn’t come out until later. It wasn’t just me. “Is Remy bisexual too?” Maybe there was a theme here.

“Yep, he is.” He threw his arm over the cushion behind me, angling himself toward me. “See, Axel came out at a young age and when he did, my parents both stood firmly behind him, though it took my dad some time to fully accept it.” He wagged a finger at me. “Mind you, my dad never let Axel see that it bothered him. He knew it was his problem, not Axel’s, and he didn’t want to see Axel hurt by it.” He pursed his lips. “But I saw it. I knew.”

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