Page 79 of Skating to Him

“Okay, I’ve got your father here, and you’re on speaker,” Mom said.

“Hey, son. I’m assuming this is good news?” Dad asked.

I swallowed thickly. “It is. I’m being scouted by the Blackhawks. They want me to visit the facilities over the Christmas holiday.” As my gaze fell to my beer, I tapped the top of it. This was the easy part.

“Fuckin’ A, Tyler. That’s some good news.” Dad chuckled.

“Frank, language.” Mom tsked.

“He’s a hockey player, Cheri. It’s not like he hasn’t heard it a million times.” Dad snickered. “Who’ve they got scouting now, Brian Tucker, is it?”

Of course, Dad knew him. “It is.” I nodded, knitting my brows. I had to get to the part about Rowan. “So, I’ll be seeingthem in the days before Christmas, then I’m going to head out to Boston afterward.”

“Holy shit, the Bruins are coming around too?” The cheer in Dad’s voice was palpable.

“No, well, I heard they might be looking at me too.” I cut my gaze to Rowan’s. Had I told him about this yet?

Rowan’s eyes grew big. “What?”

Holding my index finger up to Rowan, I said, “I haven’t heard anything solid from them yet, just Chicago.” This was going off topic.

“Well, it’ll be great to have your home base here in Chicago while you start your NHL career. We hardly see your brother anymore.” Mom sighed.

My mind flew back to Rowan’s words about his family dynamic with his mom having MS. Did this mean I’d be the one who’d help Mom out when she needed it? It didn’t matter. I wanted to be there for her, and if I could find a way to have Rowan by my side… “Yes, I’d like to be in Chicago.”

“Wait, so what’s this you said about Boston?” Mom asked.

As usual, she was on it and not getting bogged down by hockey talk. “So, I’m going to Boston for New Year’s Eve.” I tucked my beer between my thighs and snatched Rowan’s hand.

“Why is that?” she asked.

I inhaled deeply, willing the knot in my stomach to unravel. “Mom, Dad, I have a boyfriend and he’s from Boston.” There, I’d said it. Would Dad put it together?

“Wait, the other D-man they have you playing with this year is from Boston, right?” Dad asked.

“Yes, and he’s right here with me.” My gaze caught on his. “We, um…well, we started dating, and we’re in love.” Holy fuck, my mouth was on fire tonight. I had to get it to stop.

With a soft squeal, Mom said, “Oh, honey, I’m so happy to hear that. Can we meet him if he’s there with you? I mean, over the phone, you know.”

“Yes, in fact, he’d like to meet you both. Can I call you back on FaceTime?” I bit my thumbnail. At least Mom was happy about it. I wasn’t sure what Dad’s deal was.

“Sure. Let’s do that.” She hung up the phone.

I grinned at Rowan. “You ready? Mom’s happy as hell, at least.”

“Yeah, I’m sure your dad is wondering how two hockey players on the same team are going to make shit work.” He drank some beer. “I know if my kid was in this situation, I’d be thinking that.” He lifted the edge of his mouth. “We have to convince him it’s good for our game, and I’m sure he’ll be cool with it.”

“I think you’re right.” I shifted closer to Rowan and FaceTimed Mom. When the call picked up, Mom’s face came onto the screen, her dark bobbed hair framing her face and her eyes a bright blue. “Mom, good to see you. This is Rowan.” I turned the phone’s camera onto him.

With a wave and a charming smile, he said, “Hi, Mrs. Hodge. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh my, what a handsome young man. It’s so nice to meet you, Rowan. And you can call me Cheri.”

The screen cut to Dad, plastering a thin-lipped smile on his face, his salt-and-pepper hair cut shorter than the last time I’d seen him. “Hello, Rowan. Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise. You know, it’s an honor playing with your son here. The Hodge family is well known, even all the way in Boston.” His smile widened.

“Thank you, Rowan.” Dad’s smile grew genuine.

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