Page 102 of Hot Ice, Tennessee

Mason’s expression finally softened. “I trust him, too.”

Kane looked down at the ground, pulling in a long breath. “I don’t like it. I don’t like the idea of it, the reality of it, or the implications of it.”

“But it’s not your decision,” I said, taking a step forward.

Kane gave me a serious look. “But I’ve also never seen Jesse as happy as he is when he’s around you, Mason. Jesse, I haven’t seen yousmilelike you were when I just walked in… for years.”

My heart was pounding faster. “I really haven’t been this happy in years.”

“And even the other day after being fucking socked in the face by the prick, son of a bitchassholeElliot, all you could do when you woke up was ask for Mason.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Well, I don’t remember much of what I said, but I’ve been told.”

Kane shook his head, finally uncrossing his arms. “If either of you ever hurt each other, I’ll make your lives a living hell. I need you both in my life, okay?”

I exhaled, leaning over to wrap my arms around Kane in a tight hug.

“I need you in my life, too, K.”

He hugged me close. “You can tell me things again. I can’t even think about the last two years without a pit of regret in my stomach. Hell, even if Mason fucks around on you and you drop out of college, I’m not going to stop talking to you again, J.”

I let out a laugh. “I’m not dropping out of college, to say the least.”

“Kane,” Mason said, stepping up to hug him. “I’ll never hurt him.Never.”

“You better mean that,” he said. “Going to watch you like a motherfucking eagle.”

I lifted my eyebrows. “No you’re not. Because you’re going to let us live our own lives,” I reminded him.

“Yes, yes, I am,” Kane said. “But I’m not going to stop being a stubborn grump just because you two twirl around on the ice like two goddamn butterflies.”

I dropped my jaw. “He finally admits it. You’re the stubborn grump of Bestens, Tennessee—”

“Jesse, for fuck’s sake—”

“And we all love you for it,” I finally said.

“Well, I love you, too. Both of you,” Kane said. “But I’m still going to have to go pour bleach in my eyes every time I see you two kiss.”

“Give me a break,” I said. “Mason, Kane will get used to it by the end of the week. I promise.”

Kane clicked his tongue, but I could tell that even he was holding back a smile. He reached in his pocket, brought out a phone charger, and dropped it onto the bench.

“See you two crazy fucks around,” he said, walking off. He paused a moment later, though, turning back to both of us. “What thefuck, though? Jesse, I’ve never known anyone tohateother people as much as you. You are the most introverted athlete I think I’ve ever known, andMason… you’re like agoddamned pig in shit whenever there’s a party! You can’t survive one day without being around people. Are you two stupid?”

I was smiling again. “Yeah. I think we might be.”

“Jesse likes people,” Mason said. “If they’re the right people, at least. And it’s not like I hate being alone that badly.”

Kane let out a full, resonant laugh at that. “Can’t bullshit me, Minton.”

“Okay. Fine. I’m an extrovert. But I like Jesse’s lone wolf mode, too.”

“You two are going to be the death of me,” Kane said. “Love makes people nuts.”

As Kane walked off, his words hung in the air between me and Mason.

Love.

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