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Do you think I’m happy that you’re gay? I am not.” Kip rolled his eyes. “As if. And besides—” he lowered his voice to a whisper, leaning in “—we don’t know that Hunter is…on my team.” “Don’t we?” “No! I mean… I get hints that maybe…” “Like how we’re sitting in his personal seats because he personally gave you his personal tickets when he visited you at work for the third time this week?” Kip was blushing now. “He’s just superstitious,” he mumbled, “that’s all.”
“Can I buy you a tux?” “Can you—” “You don’t have one already, right? Were you going to rent one? For the Equinox Gala?” “Yeah. I mean, no, I don’t own one. But you don’t—” “I’m going to call the Hugo Boss store tomorrow,” Scott said. “I do ads for them.” “Yeah, I know.” “I’ll call them. Tell them to expect you. Tell them you’re a friend. They’ll charge my account.” Scott said the words like he was telling himself more than Kip. “Seems a bit…generous. Isn’t it?” Scott stroked the backs of his fingers over Kip’s face. “It’s completely selfish, actually. I want to see you in a tux that was
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“Your choice, Hunter.” Scott looked away and actually blushed a little. “It’s kind of hot when you call me that,” he said, “but it’s really going to fuck me up when I’m hearing it on the ice.” Kip laughed. “Maybe I want you thinking of me during games.”
“Will you be thinking of me?” Scott asked shyly. Kip smiled. “Not sure I’ll be able to think of anything else, Hunter.”
“You’re so beautiful, Kip. I’ve never…” Kip waited. “I’ve never wanted anyone like this before. I’ve had, I don’t know, crushes. I’ve been attracted to men, of course. Hooked up with men. But you… I’m breaking all my rules with you.”
“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.”
One of the things Scott really liked about Kip was that he never seemed interested in Scott’s money or fame. Being with Kip was the only time Scott felt like… Scott.
Scott said, “I want to go everywhere with you.” And Kip could hear the sadness in the way Scott said it. He could hear the unspoken But I can’t. But Kip would ignore it. Tonight, he would ignore it.
“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.” As soon as the words were out, he blushed. What a stupid thing to say! But Kip just laughed and put a hand on Scott’s chest, over his racing heart, and said, “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up.”
He looked up at Kip, and he knew. He knew for sure. Scott Hunter was in love.
“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.”
“How many minutes would I get if I just killed him?” Scott grumbled as he watched Rozanov skate away. “I’d have to give you at least ten,” Hal said dryly. “Not worth it in the playoffs.”
“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.”
“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?” “Thank god,” Huff said. “I thought you were gonna say you were secretly dating Rozanov.” “Rozanov wishes,” Scott said.
Murdock blew out a breath. “I don’t envy you—which is not something I ever thought I’d say—but I certainly respect the hell out of you, Hunter. I’ve got your back if anyone comes for you.” “Thank you, Coach.” They shook hands, and Murdock said, “It’s not Rozanov, is it?” “Jesus. No! Why does everyone—?” “Good. I don’t need that kind of circus.”
“How was the last shift?” “Uneventful,” Kip said. “But I brought you something. For luck.” He held out a blue smoothie. The last one he would ever have to make. “Aww,” Scott said, reaching for it. “I hope the new staff can make them this good.” Kip feigned horror. “You would let another guy make you a smoothie?” Scott smiled around the straw. “I’d be thinking of you the whole time. I promise.”
Shawn: You. Fucking. Bitch. You lying fucking bitch. We’re getting lunch together. SOON.
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.
