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Anyway, the drought hadn’t ended the crush.
He finally sighed, and turned his eyes up to meet Kip’s. “It’s just nice. Doing this.” “Hanging out with someone?” “With you.”
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.
“I’m just saying,” Scott said, “I don’t think it’s the smoothies.”
Scott leaned in. “I have a feeling I’m going to be thinking about you a lot anyway.”
“No! I wasn’t saying that to make you feel bad. I just…like telling you things about me.” “I want to know everything about you,” Kip said quietly.
I’d give anything to see you right now.
Boston had their own star center, a hotshot Russian named Ilya Rozanov. He was cocky, brash, flashy…everything Scott wasn’t. And the fans loved him.
They were quiet for a while, and then Scott said, “When I first looked at this place, and I saw this tub, I thought, ‘It’s big enough for two.’ And I know it’s dumb, but I always wanted… I imagined sharing it with someone.”
Scott sighed. “He told me he was disappointed because he’d heard I was, quote, ‘good at hockey again.’” “Ouch.” “Yeah, well. He didn’t deserve a sucker punch like that.”
“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.”
“I, uh,” he started. His face was pure anguish. He didn’t have his suitcase. He must have gone to the car and come back. “I was thinking… Planes, y’know? And anything can happen…” “Scott?” “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.”
“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.”
“It’s getting quiet in here,” Rozanov said, feigning confusion. “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.”
“That was a cute move!” Rozanov chirped as he skated by Scott. “I fucking love old-timers hockey!”
“Come on, guys. Rozanov, stop being a dick. Hunter, stop listening to Rozanov.”
“Don’t worry, old man,” Rozanov said with a grin, “I know you must be getting tired. I’ll make sure you lose so you can get started on your summer vacation.”
“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.”
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.
“Scott,” Carter said, holding a hand up. “Shut the fuck up for a second. I’m gonna process this shit, and then I am gonna give you a manly hug. But just shut it for five seconds.”
“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.
“Actually,” Scott said, “I’m his boyfriend.” 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!”
“Ah. You’re in love. That makes sense. Love makes men do all sorts of dumbass things.”
“Now I look back and I can see why all that noise was important. And I know it was important because players like Vaughan tell me that they were inspired by me. I made them feel a little more certain that they belonged in this sport that we all love.”
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.”
He held out a blue smoothie. The last one he would ever have to make.
He could see the surprise in Kip’s eyes as Scott leaned in and kissed him.
Before Kip knew what was happening, Carter enveloped him in a sweaty hug. “Kip, Kip, Kip. I love that fucking name, you know. So, what the fuck, right? Did you and Scott Hunter really just make out in front of the whole damn world?”