Page 92 of Skating to Him

“You can call me John, and his mother is Sharon.” Dad creased his brows. “She’s resting right now, but I know she’s excited to meet you.”

“How is she doing?” Tyler’s gaze snapped from Dad to me. “Is she any better?”

“A little. We had her up and in her wheelchair earlier, but I think it tired her out.” Dad pressed his hands together over his chest. “Do you boys want a pre-dinner drink? I have some decent bourbon in the house.”

“Sure, Dad. But let me get Tyler settled first.” I grabbed the handle on his suitcase and rolled it toward the front room. “We’re in the guest rooms upstairs.” And he’d be right next to me. Close enough for conjugal visits at night.

“Okay.” Tyler followed me with his backpack on his shoulder.

Danny stepped down the stairs. “Hey, Tyler, right?” He waved at him.

“That’s right, and you must be Danny.” Tyler stopped in front of Danny. “It’s nice to meet you.” He held out his hand.

Looking at his hand a moment, Danny grinned and gave him a quick shake. “I’m glad you’re here. Rowan’s been a little melancholy.” He gave me a sly grin. “I think he was missing you.”

Tyler’s eyes widened as his gaze swung to mine. “Oh, that’s, um…nice?”

Eyeing my youngest brother, I said, “You’re right. In Arizona, we see each other every day.” I ruffled Danny’s hair. “Don’t you have studying to do?” I didn’t know how, but the little fucker knew. He must have overheard us on the phone the first day,dammit. But so far, he hadn’t told my other brother, as far as I could tell.

“I do. I’m working to get ahead on my AP physics class.” He lifted his chin and walked off. “I’ll see you around, Tyler.”

Tyler followed me up the stairs and I led him into the room next to mine, this one done up in navy-blue-and-white bedding. “Here’s your room.”

“Thanks.” He glanced at the open door and then shut it. “Does your brother know about us?”

“I, uh…I think so.” Fuck, did it matter? Tyler was right here in my house. I locked the door and strode to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and gazing deeply into his brown eyes. “The only thing I can figure is he might have overheard me talking to you the first day I was home.” I focused on his lips, so close to my own. “I want you in my room tonight after everyone goes to sleep.” I pressed my lips to his in an aching kiss, slipping my tongue inside his mouth.

With a soft moan, he slanted his mouth over mine and grabbed my ass, pushing his swelling dick against mine through our jeans. As the kiss broke, he threaded his fingers in the back of my hair and fisted it. “I missed you so much. You have no idea.” His forehead rested against mine. “How are you doing with everything, babe?” His gaze rose to mine.

“I’m okay. Well, I’m okaynow.” Emotions flooded inside me as I remembered the week with Mom in her hospital bed, how everyone had stepped around her illness, and me not being true to myself or Tyler. With my eyes stinging and my voice cracking, I said, “It’s been hard. I wanted things to be so different when you got here.” I inhaled through the pinching in my chest. “I wanted them to know about us and for them to know you’re more to me than a teammate and friend.” I sniffled. “But I’m afraid.”

“Ssh.” He pulled my head into his neck. “If Danny knows, he certainly seems okay with it.”

“I know, but shit…” I freed a ragged exhale. “What if Mom finds out and she gets worse? I’d feel terrible.” I relaxed in his embrace. All I needed was right here. How was I going to deal with us in different cities at the end of the school year?

“I get it. You have to do what’s right for you and your family. I’m okay with your decision, Rowan.” He freed me and stepped back, taking my hands in his. “It’s totally up to you. Don’t guilt yourself over this.”

Rapping sounded on the door, followed by the jiggling of the doorknob. “Rowan and Tyler? Mom is ready to meet Tyler,” Aaron said.

“Oh, shit.” I swiped the wetness from my eyes and straightened my shoulders. Did someone comb her hair? I was pretty sure Mom would want to look her best, even in her condition. “Let’s go.” I flung the door open.

“Why did you lock the door?” Aaron looked past me at Tyler and smirked. “Having a moment?” He snickered and walked away. “Damn, that’s some teammate bonding.”

Flashing a glance at Tyler, I shook my head and left the room. We had to be more careful. Now, both my brothers might be on to us. All it would take would be Aaron beating the truth out of Danny.

“Mom’s in her wheelchair in the front room, and Dad has bourbon poured for you guys. He’s being a miser and not letting me have any.” He scoffed.

“You’re not old enough.” I huffed a chuckle. “Dad is a lawyer, you know. Can you imagine if he got caught giving alcohol to a minor?” Though, sometimes Dad did let him sneak it.

After heading down the stairs and into the main room, we found Dad in the corner of the couch with Mom next to him in her wheelchair, a blanket across her legs, and her shoulder-length hair fixed in a ponytail. Her lips were a faint pink color. Had she put on lipstick?

Mom’s face beamed. “You must be Tyler.”

“I am.” Tyler stepped to her, bent down, and squeezed her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot of good things.”

“Oh, what a nice thing to say.” Her gaze followed him as he dropped onto the couch opposite the one Dad was on. Our bourbon was in short glasses resting on the coffee table between us.

I sat next to Tyler, picked up my bourbon and sipped it, the honey and oak flavors leaving a slight burn in my throat. “Not bad, Dad. What is it?”

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