Game Changer (Game Changers, #1)

by Rachel Reid

He finally sighed, and turned his eyes up to meet Kip’s. “It’s just nice. Doing this.” “Hanging out with someone?” “With you.”

Kip could not believe that this thing that he had been trying not to pretend was a date was actually a date

“I can keep a secret,” Kip said, almost a whisper because he wasn’t sure if the driver could hear them. “And I promise I’ll make it good for you.”

Scott looked at him with so much gratitude, it was heartbreaking.

Scott strode over to Kip and kissed him. He held his face in his hands and tried to show him what he was feeling, since he couldn’t tell him. Kip seemed to hear him, because he kissed back just as fervently,

He allowed himself a minute to do a little “Scott Hunter totally wants me” dance in the privacy of the back room before he floated back out to serve people smoothies.

“You’re the worst liar in the world, Scott.” “I know.”

Elena gently hit his arm, which caused him to turn back to her. “Stop staring!” she hissed. “Okay! Can—can he see me? Has he spotted me yet?” “Not yet. You guys need to be a lot stealthier if you’re going to fool anyone.”

“What are you talking about? I’m fine. Has he looked yet?” “No. But if he does come over here—Okay, he sees you.” “How can you tell?” “Because he just lit up like the goddamn sun. Jesus. You guys are doomed.”

He wanted to tell him that he absolutely belonged here because he was important to Scott, and clearly important to Elena.

“Elena seems great,” he said instead, changing the subject. “She is. You’ll dance with her later, right?” “I’ll do my best impression of dancing, yes.”

Kip laughed a little. Then he sighed and gazed at Scott with so much affection and longing that Scott couldn’t do anything but stare back. He knew he had a goofy, love-struck grin on his face, but he couldn’t help it.

“Kip is the best person I know. And he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him these days. I’m protective of him because I love him.” “I know.” Scott wanted to tell her that he loved him too, but he’d never said that out loud before. He hadn’t even let himself seriously consider the possibility, but as he walked Elena off the dance floor, and saw Kip sitting, relaxed in a plush chair, watching them… …what else could this feeling be

wasn’t a conversation; it was Scott telling him something important, and making sure Kip was listening. When their lips parted, Kip felt limp. “Wow,” he breathed. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” Scott said. His voice was husky and he was gazing at Kip like he couldn’t believe he was real, his brow furrowed and his face almost pained.

Scott shook his head, but took Kip’s hand, and led him to the middle of the room. He placed his other hand on Kip’s lower back, and Kip grinned and let Scott lead.

Scott’s fingers tapped lightly on Kip’s lower back, and Kip wondered if Scott felt like he did: too full of feeling. Full of words he couldn’t quite imagine saying out loud. His own fingers were trembling a bit, so he curled them into Scott’s hair.

Somehow, dancing fully clothed in his living room was the most romantic experience of his life.

Kip smiled shyly at him, and Scott was momentarily paralyzed. “What is it?” Kip asked, barely above a whisper. Scott shook his head. “Sometimes I—” He exhaled, trying to slow the pounding of his heart. “I can’t believe you’re real.”

“Don’t worry,” he breathed into Kip’s ear. “I’m going to give you everything you want.”

He looked up at Kip, and he knew. He knew for sure. Scott Hunter was in love.

Kip flushed a little. He fiddled with the strings on the hoodie, trying to distract himself from all these damn feelings. He was in love. There was no question. He was head over heels in love with Scott Hunter. It was absurd, but it was real.

He couldn’t stop smiling. He felt unhinged. He felt…like a man who was very much in love.

“I love you,” he said. “I just wanted to say that. Before I left.” Kip’s jaw hit the floor. “I don’t expect you to, y’know, say it too or anything. I know it’s probably a ridiculous thing to say or feel right now, but I am in love with you. And I wanted you to know that.” The tears that had been prickling were now flooding Kip’s eyes. He was no longer embarrassed about them.

Kip pressed his lips together and shook his head, trying to gather himself. “Sorry,” he said, finally. “I just… I thought I was the only one who felt that way.” Scott’s face lit up. All of the agony was gone instantly. “You’re not.” He closed the distance between them and held Kip’s face, brushing away tears with his thumbs. Scott’s eyes were wet too.

“I wanted to tell you,” Kip said. “Tell me now.” “I love you. Scott, I’m…completely in love with you.” Scott beamed and kissed him, still holding his face. Kip reached up and did the same. “Fuck,” Scott breathed. “Now I really do have to go.” “I know.” “I’m glad I ...

“It is a big deal, Scott! It’s a very big deal! You can’t just…change my whole life!” “Why not?” Scott said softly. “You changed mine.”

And Kip now had tears in his eyes. “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—?” Dad smiled at him knowingly, then his face sobered. “I know he must be busy right now, with the playoffs, but it seems like maybe something worse than that is going on.”

“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.”

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.

Scott’s voice broke on the last word. Kip did the only thing he could think to do—the only thing he wanted to do: He opened his arms. And Scott fell into them. “I’m so sorry,” Scott whispered into Kip’s shoulder. “I never wanted you to leave. Please give me a chance to make it better.”

Scott’s face crumpled a bit. His eyes were wet. “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.” Kip’s heart felt like a big, warm puddle. “I love you too, Scott.”

Scott held him, and made a silent promise that he would be the man Kip needed him to be. Then he slipped blissfully into sleep.

The desire for all of that burned so bright inside him that he was overcome with the need to get started on making it happen. He knew what he had to do. It was time.

Carter looked suddenly delighted. “Kip!” he said. “That is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever heard! Are you kidding me with that shit?”

“I’d make the announcement right now if it wouldn’t distract the team. I want to be with you in the way that you deserve. In the way that we both deserve.”

Scott gave him a small, grateful smile. “I’m in love with your son, ma’am. I don’t care who knows it anymore.” Kip blushed because sheesh. Now his mother was crying. “Oh, honey,” she said, “I’m so happy for you. Both of you.” Kip smiled at Scott. “Me too.”

He could see the surprise in Kip’s eyes as Scott leaned in and kissed him. Scott thought it might just be a quick peck, but as soon as their lips touched, he just went for it. 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.

“Well,” Kip said giddily, “I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.” “Mm. May as well go for broke, then.” Scott kissed him again, and everything around them disappeared. It was just Scott and the man he loved, making out in a penalty box.

and wonderful. Kip tilted his chin up, and Scott kissed him because he loved him, and he loved being here with him, and there was nothing to be afraid of anymore.