Page 95 of Skating to Him

“Yeah, they know. I guess they don’t care much since my best friend is also gay. They’re used to seeing me with gay guys.” He kissed my forehead.

I rested my cheek on his chest and circled my fingers around his nipple. “Maybe it’s also a sign they’d be okay with you being bi and us being boyfriends.” I knew the fear of coming out was real, even if you had parents who were progressive in every way. I shouldn’t push, but I could nudge, right?

“Maybe.” He tightened his arm around my shoulders. “If Danny has already figured it out and isn’t bugging me about it…” He exhaled. “Fuck, that kid is not only smart as fuck, he’s wise. He’s waiting for me to say something.”

“You’ve got good people here, Rowan.” A loose knot formed in my gut. Who was I to take him away from them to go play with me in Chicago? Did he even have a chance with the Bruins though? There was so much uncertainty.

“What’s going through your head? I can practically hear it.” With a smirk, he brushed his palm down my hair.

“Just thinking about our future.” It might be too late to bring up such a heavy topic, but it was the truth. I snuggled deeper into him.

“I’ve thought about following you to Chicago if I don’t get signed. I can probably get a job there.” He shifted on the bed, tilting his head to peek into my face.

Raising onto an elbow, I said, “You’d do that for me? Leave your family, even if your mom needs you?” That was big…a huge sacrifice.

“Yeah. Mom’s got Dad, Danny, and Aaron here. And I could always come back for short periods if I was needed.” He pursed his lips. “I love you, Tyler. I don’t see that changing anytime soon, and I can’t imagine not being with you.” He sucked in a breath and looked away for a beat. “I hope to hell I get signed, and my homecity isn’t too far from yours, but if I don’t…” He shrugged, and a slow smirk crawled over his lips. “I’d give up my family for you, but not my hockey career.” Rolling his eyes, he said, “I mean, come on.”

I planted a hard kiss on his mouth, and with a smile, I said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” And if things went as planned, we’d have it all.

The next afternoon,after spending more time with Rowan’s family, we took an Uber into downtown Boston and were dropped off at the Ward 8 bar and restaurant. I climbed out of the car and looked over the area, a mix of three and four-story brick buildings lining the street and off in the distance, glass high-rises stood tall. This part of town looked older, which reminded me a little bit of Tempe.

I followed Rowan to the sidewalk, the snow well trampled by all the people strolling in their winter jackets, scarves, and hats.

“It’s right here.” He held his arm out to a bar on the bottom floor with masonry painted in a dark gray with white accents, the lettering above the door written in a font out of an old-time newspaper heading. At least, that’s what it reminded me of.

“Cool.” I grabbed his hand and led him to the metal-and-glass door, and we entered, stomping off the snow from our sneakers. The inside walls were lined in white subway tile while black metal lamps hung from the ceiling. A wooden floor warmed the look of the place. “This looks really nice.”

A man with shorter brown hair waved to us from a square table for four by a window overlooking the bustling street.

“Hey, that’s Teddy.” Holding my hand tighter, Rowan pulled me through mostly full tables to his friend. “Hey.” He released me and opened his arms.

Teddy stood and gave Rowan a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and then turned his attention to me. “So, you’re TylerHodge.” With a wide grin, he pulled his gray sweater over the top of his jeans.

“I am.” I’d heard so much about him that I felt like I knew the guy already. “Can I get a hug too?” I gave him my best smile.

“Yass.” He threw his arms around me and gave me a tight hug. “I have so much to thank you for.”

“You do?” I dropped into a metal chair with a rounded back across from Teddy while Rowan took a seat between us. I already liked this guy. He was one of those people you instantly knew you would be good friends with.

“You brought him into the queer community.” He sipped some red wine. “I took him to gay bars with me so many times, and even though he was a good sport, he never showed interest in anyone.” With a pat of Rowan’s hand, he glanced at him.

“I was putting up a good fight, I guess.” After shrugging out of his jacket and exposing his Bruins jersey, Rowan grabbed my hand resting on the table. “God, it’s good to be out of the house where we can be ourselves, huh?”

“It is.” I scanned the place, spying a long white marble bar with a row of leather barstools in front of it and a brick wall with the logo painted on it. Televisions hung on the wall above the logo. I had my viewing spot for the game. Rowan had taunted me with Bruins gear before we’d left, but I’d gone with a blue sweater instead in homage to the Maple Leaf’s colors and my boy Jonah.

A waiter dropped by the table, left us menus and I ordered a Ward 8 cocktail along with Rowan. “Now I’ll get to see how the drink I had in Tempe compares to the real thing.”

“You won’t want one anywhere else after this.” Sipping his wine, Teddy smiled at me from over the lip of the glass. As he lowered his wine, his attention drew to Rowan. “How’s Sharon doing?”

Rowan skimmed his finger along the edge of the rolled napkin holding his silverware. “She’s been up a little more thelast few days.” He glanced at me. “I think it’s because Tyler is here.”

“And no one suspects you two are boyfriends?” He wrinkled his forehead.

Taking a deep breath, Rowan said, “Well, I think Danny knows. He’s made a few suspect comments.” He peeked at me. “I think he overheard a phone conversation where I wasn’t discreet.”

“Oh…” Teddy touched his chin and nodded. “And how many times have you almost held hands or kissed each other with the family around?” He hooked a brow.

I snickered, sitting back in my chair. “About a million.” Shaking my head, I said, “It’s been hard, but we’re making do with late-night visits to each other’s bedrooms.” I was sure Teddy knew what it was like.

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