Page 145 of Game Changer
“I will. I will. I promise,” she giggled.
Kip laughed a little, relieved that there was someone else who knew about his relationship.
His relationship that he was going to make damn sure he fixed tonight.
* * *
Scott felt good.
His hands were bandaged inside his gloves from the fight the other night, but he felt good. Centered. Focused. They were going to win tonight. He had no doubt of it.
He had been ignoring the headlines, and the commentary on the sports talk shows. He knew it was there, though.What exactly is wrong with Scott Hunter?
He shut it all off. None of that mattered. Each game was a fresh start. They were down two games, they would win the next four. No problem.
His teammates seemed to sense the change in him too. They weren’t looking at him with concern in their eyes; they were looking to him for strength. They were nodding back at him, silently communicating,You’ve got this. We’re with you. All the way.Kip was here, at the game. Seeing him here in his usual seat filled Scott with strength and confidence. It wasn’t superstition; it was love.
He would work things out with Kip tonight. He would make sure of it.
* * *
“Whoa, shit,” Elena said. “Looks like Scott got his groove back!”
They were standing and applauding wildly with the rest of the crowd. Scott had scored his second goal of the game, making it 5–2 for the Admirals late in the second period.
Maybe it was the hometown advantage, or maybe Scott had managed to find his focus. Or maybe the smoothies were magic, after all. Either way, Kip was relieved and happy.
And really fucking proud of him.
* * *
Kip received a text from Scott shortly after the game.
Would it be all right if we met at my place?
Kip had been hoping he might suggest it.Sure. You want me to go there now?
Scott: Yeah. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
Elena hugged him and wished him luck. They’d had a long conversation before the game. Her opinion was that Kip and Scott were both idiots.
It was weird how much Scott’s luxurious apartment building felt like home to Kip now. He had to remind himself, as he walked into the enormous living room, that itwasn’this home. But it was comforting to be in the familiar space again.
The wait, however, was agony. He knew Scott would be a while, but it seemed like an eternity. Kip sat on the couch, and then at the kitchen counter, and then paced around the living room. When the door finally clicked open, he was standing at the windows.
For a moment, Scott stared at him as if he couldn’t believe he was really there. Then he said, in the softest voice, “Kip.”
“Hey.”
He was wearing one of the bespoke suits he was required to leave the rink in. His beard was thick and his hair was longer than usual. He looked so fucking good.
Scott crossed the room until he stood an arm’s length away.
“Congrats on the win,” Kip said awkwardly.
“Thanks.” Scott’s hands, his bandaged fingers, were flexing at his sides. He was staring at Kip like he’d come back from the dead. “I’ve missed you.”
Scott’s voice broke on the last word. Kip did the only thing he could think to do—the only thing hewantedto do: He opened his arms. And Scott fell into them.
