Page 89 of Skating to Him

After Nathan had settled in and we’d chatted a little bit with Mom and Dad, I grabbed two beers out of the refrigerator and sat with Nathan on Mom’s traditional couch by the Christmas tree. Outside the front windows, the snow glistened in the sunlight in our front yard, and the icicles dripped off the roof of the front porch.

“So, talk to me, man.” He snicked his beer can open and sipped. “Damn, the smells and tastes of home.” He beamed at me, his fleece pulling tight around his shoulder muscles.

“What are they feeding you over there in New York? You look bigger.” I opened my beer and drank some, the cool bubbles gliding down my throat.

“Ah, lots of protein. We have a new nutritionist, and it’s all about lean meats and shit.” Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Plus, I’ve upped my weight routine.” He bumped his elbow on mine. “I could send you the specifics if you want.”

“Yeah, why not?” Nodding, I gave him a warm smile. If he could, he’d help me. I was sure of it.

“First, tell me about this guy…” With a grin, he leaned into me. “Is he good to you?”

My heart filled with warmth. “Yeah, he’s very good to me. He was with me when Mom called about her MS.” How was Nathan feeling about it?

“Yeah? That was tough, huh?” He tsked and shook his head. “Thank God I wasn’t playing that night. But you…” He twisted his lips. “I watched your game that night. You knocked it out of the park.”

“I had Rowan on my side.” Even back then, when he wasn’t sure about his sexuality, he’d stood by me. “His mom also has MS, but she’s worse off.” I inhaled deeply. “She’s in a flare-up right now.”

“Yeah? That sucks.” He drank his beer. “And you’re going to visit him in Boston for New Year’s Eve?”

“Yeah.” I hooked a brow. “Mom already told you everything, didn’t she?” I should have known.

He shrugged. “Of course she did. I still talk to her every week, you know. Just because I’m a big NHL star doesn’t mean?—”

“Oh my God.” I rolled my eyes. “And you’re so humble.” The guy always had so much confidence. Maybe if I hadn’t been gay, I’d have been like that. There was a time when my sexuality weighed heavily on me.

“I’m humble when I need to be.” With a sharp laugh, he took a sip from his can. “So, you and Rowan play great together from the footage I’ve seen.” He rubbed his chin. “Is it because you’re fucking off the ice? Is that your secret?” He gave me a sly grin.

“Probably.” As a smile played over my lips, I turned my can in my lap. Maybe I should ask him now if he could help? “Hey, you know anyone on the Blackhawks? D-line coaches, maybe?”

His brows lowered. “Oh, you little fucker. You want me to put in a good word for Rowan and get you both signed to the same team?”

“You know it.” I gave him my most charming grin. “I’vealready got Dad and Dean helping me.” I lifted my chin. “And you know about my friend Mason, right?” Of course, I’d kept him updated with my friends and now he’d even played against some of them.

“Yeah, him and Jett Jarvis, playing together on and off the ice.” Scoffing a laugh, he shook his head. “I had no idea Jett was gay.” He sipped some beer.

“So, do you know anyone?” I gnawed my lower lip, studying him.

“One of my buddies from juniors is on the Blackhawks defense. I’ll give him a shout and see what he can do.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. “Anything for my little bro.”

My chest filled with warmth. I knew I could count on him. If we could put enough bugs into their ears, they’d have to take a look at Rowan.

He released me. “Now, tell me how the meet and greet went.” He eyed me. “’Cause you know there’s no way they’re not going to sign you.”

“Yeah, I’m feeling pretty confident with how it went.” I drank more beer, and we talked for a good hour, just like old times.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ROWAN

Christmas had come and gone, and we’d done our best to make Mom comfortable and included in all the festivities. Now it was over, I was looking forward to meeting with Teddy for a post-Christmas drink. The holidays were fun and all, but they took a lot out of me, especially with the stress of Mom being sick. You never realized how much a mother did until she wasn’t able to.

I parked my dad’s BMW in the lot next to the small brick building housing the bar. As I stepped out of the car, I zipped my jacket to my chin. Fuck, it was cold. Was I already getting used to the warmer weather in Arizona?

As I scanned the barren trees surrounding the yards of the houses in the neighborhood, my gaze caught on Teddy climbing out of his Toyota sedan in his rainbow-colored jacket. He’d had that damn thing forever. “Hey, man.” I waved to him.

“Rowan.” With a broad smile, he jogged to me, slipped on some ice, yelped, caught himself, and then threw his arms around my neck. “So good to see you.”

“Same.” I kissed his cheek and let him go. Okay, that was new.I kissed his cheek?

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