Page 91 of Skating to Him

“Who plays for the Maple Leafs?” He set his phone on the table.

“This guy named Jonah Boehm. He’s from Minnesota, but lived with Tyler the last couple of years and got picked up by the Leafs. There was some weird thing with their defensive line coach, I don’t know.” I drank my beer. I’d only heard the rumors but had never asked him about it directly. “But Jonah is a winger.”

“Interesting…” Teddy wrinkled his brows. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell your parents about your relationship statusbeforehe comes out here?”

I huffed a sigh. “No, I’m not sure. It’s just—” I tipped my head back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling for a moment. “Let me see how things go with Ma.”

“Sure. I guess if he understands the situation, it’s not a problem. You can come out to them another time when she’s feeling better.” He glanced out the window. “Looks like it’s starting to snow again.”

“Good. Maybe it’ll cover up the ice patches and we won’t fall on our asses when we leave here.” I gave him a small grin, tapped my glass against his, and then drank the rest of my beer.

A day later,I waited inside the terminal at Boston Logan airport for Tyler to walk out, my heart beating like a battering ram. I shifted from foot to foot. I’d been able to work out some fun plans for the holiday, staying in a fancy hotel in downtown Boston while we hit the gay bars in the South End with Teddy. Of course my parents would think we were staying at Teddy’s for the night. I hated lying to them, but it would be worth it.

Tyler strutted from the terminal and into the main area of the airport, his backpack slung over one shoulder and dressed in a form-fitting gray sweater and jeans. His bangs fell to his cheekbones and flowed off his face, and he looked damned delicious.

“Hey, babe.” I rushed to him and threw my arms around his waist, picking him up.

“Oh my God, Rowan.” He laughed, hugged me fiercely, and planted a hard kiss on my mouth. “Fuck, I missed you.”

“I missed you too. So damn much.” Grabbing his hand, I led him toward baggage claim. “You did bring a jacket, right?” I snuck another peek at him. Goddamn, he was more gorgeous than I’d remembered.

“Of course. It’s in my backpack.” He leaned in as we arrived at the conveyor belts filled with luggage. “I can’t wait to meet everyone and see Boston.”

“I’ve got news for you.” We checked the monitors and walked to where his suitcase would be coming out. I couldn’t wait to tell him about tomorrow night.

“Yeah? What’s that.” He looked over the bags as they moved in front of us. “Oh shit, hold that thought.” He pulled his bag off the conveyor. “Okay, now tell me.”

“We’re going to the Ward 8 bar in Boston, so you can have the real drink, and we’re going to watch the Bruins pounce the Maple Leafs with Teddy.” I gauged his reaction. This was going to be so much fun having him here and showing him off.

“No…” Eyeing me, he lifted the handle on his suitcase. “How am I supposed to cheer on my boy Boehm in a Bruins bar?” He snickered.

“Guess you’ll have to pretend to be a Bruins fan.” I lifted my brows and grabbed his elbow, leading him toward the elevators and the parking garage.

“I’ll do my best, but you know I’ll cheer Jonah on.” He kissed my cheek as we strolled.

After catchingup with Tyler in the car, parking in the garage, and leading him to the mudroom at the back of the house, I cracked open the door.

He looked around him. “The houses aren’t too different from what we have in Illinois.” He touched the old wood on the doorframe in the mudroom. It had been repainted probably twenty times over the years. “Maybe a little thinner and taller, but the siding is the same.” He toed off his boots in the mudroom and shimmied out of his jacket. “I like the gray color of this house and the white trim. Has the house always been gray?”

“As long as I’ve lived in it. Mom never changed the color.” I went to take his hand. Shit, I couldn’t be doing this here. I shoved my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. “The house was remodeled about five years ago. Mom had been watching all those shows on HGTV.” I chuckled and stepped with him into the kitchen.

“Yeah?” He scanned the room. “Wow, the place looks like it could beinone of those home shows.” He ran his finger along the white marble counter of the kitchen island.

Aaron walked in, did a double-take, and then shouted, “Dad and Danny, Rowan’s friend is here.” With a wide smile, he padded to us with his hand out. “So cool to meet you, man.”

With a grin, Tyler shook his hand. “The pleasure is mine.”

“I hear you’re going to be a Blackhawk.” Aaron kept shaking Tyler’s hand and smiling at him.

“Aaron, let him go.” With a short laugh, I separated them. “Aaron’s a little starstruck. Everyone knows about you and your family’s ties to the NHL.” And who knew my brother would behave like some puck bunny.

“Oh, I see.” Glancing at me, Tyler planted his hands on his hips.

Dad strode into the room. “Tyler Hodge? Welcome to our home.” He greeted Tyler with a firm handshake and freed him. “How’d your meeting with the Blackhawks go?” Dad peeked at me.

“It went well. I’m expecting to hear from my agent any day.” He pressed his lips together. “I have to say, Mr. Mackenzie, Idon’t think I’ve ever played as well as when I play with your son.”

My heart burst with warmth. He was building me up for my family. “Thanks, ba—” Fuck, I had to watch my mouth. “Uh, Tyler.”

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