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“Now that everyone is here,” said Chuck in his booming, happy voice, “I propose a toast. To Kip! A guy you want to hate because he’s so handsome, but you can’t because he’s so goddamn charming.”
“Kip,” Maria said, “you didn’t tell me that all of your cute dude friends are gay. What is even the point of me being here?” “I did tell you and, if you want, later we can go to Olive Garden or wherever straight people go.”
“I’m trying. I swear, I’m trying. It probably doesn’t seem like it, but every tiny step we take is a huge leap for me.”
He should be nothing but proud, and grateful that Scott gave him whatever he could. Scott loved him. He knew that. He just wished it didn’t have to be so complicated.
“Rozanov bothering you?” Kip asked. “Yeah,” Scott sighed. “He’s a real pain in the ass.”
Kip listened to Scott vent all evening. He kept his own problems to himself.
“Why is it so quiet? There are so many people here! It should be loud, yes?” “Shut up, Rozanov.” Scott bent to take the face-off against him. “It was loud earlier. But since we scored that fourth goal it has been quiet. Is weird, I think.”
He was so certain that his relationship with Scott was doomed that he felt compelled to just rip the bandage off quickly. Just end it now so he didn’t need to suffer later. And maybe, one day, he could wake up in his bedroom in his parents’ house, drag himself to his shitty job, and fondly remember the brief time in his life that he’d lived the fantasy of being Scott Hunter’s boyfriend.
“Things haven’t been great, Dad.” “I know.” Dad hugged him again. “I didn’t want to intrude, but…are you boys fighting?” “Boys? Who are you—?”
“Scott Hunter,” his dad said calmly. “You’ve been seeing him.”
“Dad, come on. There’s no way that Scott would ever—I mean, Scott Hunter isn’t—” “I don’t know anything about Scott Hunter, but I know you. And I like to think I’d be able to tell when my son is in love.”
“You’re on the outs?” “Yeah. It’s a mess right now. I want to clean it up so badly.” Dad smiled and patted his arm. “You will.”
“I, um… I wanted to see you.” “Oh.” Kip braved a glance at Maria. She looked like the cat that caught the fucking canary.
Scott left and Kip waited as long as possible to turn and face Maria. “What. The. Fuck,” she said.
“But you were right, Kip. You were right about everything. You shouldn’t have to hide. You shouldn’t be my secret. You deserve so much better than that.” “You deserve so much better too, Scott.”
“And the thing is… Not to sound dramatic, but for my entire adult life, my teammates have been the only family I’ve had. So the thought of losing their respect and support is terrifying.”
“I love you. Kip, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I just love you so much and I can’t lose you. I just…can’t.”
“Jesus Christ. I’d better re-up on my antacid pills. Just…don’t do anything without telling me, all right? Preferably, don’t do anything at all. Ever.” “Stay in the closet forever. Got it.” “What’s wrong with the closet? It’s a wonderful place crammed full of professional athletes.” “Goodnight, Todd.”
“Hey,” Bennett said, after they separated, “what’s his name?” Scott grinned. “Kip.” Carter looked suddenly delighted. “Kip!” he said. “That is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever heard! Are you kidding me with that shit?”
“So this dude is so great that he’s making Scott Hunter consider coming out publicly.” “Yup,” Scott confirmed. “Shit. I think I’ve gotta meet this guy.”
Kip was stunned, but he smiled at Scott. “Yeah,” he confirmed, “we’re, um…together.” “Oh my lord!” his mother said, her hands clasped together over her mouth. “Oh, Scott, you have chosen so well!”
He still had his grade school spelling bee and academic awards on a shelf above his desk. And that wasn’t a humiliating thing for your NHL superstar boyfriend to see.
“Your beard tickles,” he said. “I like it, though. It’s sexy.” “Does it make me look like a hot lumberjack?” “You remember that?” Kip laughed. “Man, I was trying to be smooth. Didn’t actually think there was a chance with you, but I had to at least let you know that I might be interested.” “It worked,” Scott said, crawling back up to meet Kip’s lips. “Couldn’t stop thinking about you after you said that.”
“Why now?” “Because I don’t want to live a lie anymore. And… I’m with someone. It isn’t fair to him.” “Ah. You’re in love. That makes sense. Love makes men do all sorts of dumbass things.”
“It’s not Rozanov, is it?” “Jesus. No! Why does everyone—?” “Good. I don’t need that kind of circus.”
“When you’re ready,” he said gently. “Even just having my parents and some of my friends knowing about us makes me feel a lot better. No rush for the rest of the world.”
“Let me know if any of his teammates are looking for an adorable Latina to take care of.” Kip snorted. “Adorable?” “Tell them adorable. By the time they realize I’m a total grouch they will already be in love with me and it will be too late.”
“After tonight, you might be dating a Stanley Cup champion,” Elena said. “Finally, a reason to be impressed by him!”
He kissed Kip like they were alone and maybe hadn’t seen each other in months. He kissed him like a man who had everything he had ever dreamed of. When they broke apart, Kip gaped at him. “Holy shit!” “I don’t care,” Scott said. “I love you.”
Scott felt completely out of control. He needed to get out of here, or make peace with the fact that he was going to fuck Kip against a wall in front of god and Ilya Rozanov.
And Scott didn’t have much experience at clubs, but the way Rozanov moved against the men he danced with seemed a lot more deliberate and practiced than someone who was just trying to get into the spirit of the place. Huh.
A year ago—hell, a month ago—Scott would never have imagined this scenario. Out at a gay club with his best friends—his teammates—and his boyfriend and, uh, Ilya Rozanov.
