The Long Game (Game Changers, #6)

by Rachel Reid

“I have a nose.” Ilya booped the tip of Shane’s nose. “A cute one.”

Sap

“For defense players, the coaches will be Ryan Price, who is the very tall and handsome man over there...” “Uh, hi,” Ryan said quietly as he shuffled his skates. “...and J.J. Boiziau, the tall and sort of handsome

Troll behavior. lol

Hayden studied him another moment, then nodded and skated away. Ilya hadn’t realized how much fun it would be to confuse Hayden with compliments. He would have to do it more often.

Ilya you're such a fucking troll! lol

He was terrified that one day Shane would realize he could be with someone who wasn’t a dark secret. That it could be easy to love someone.

You both deserve to be happy together!

“I’m helping,” Ilya couldn’t resist pointing out. “I know you are.” Yuna patted his cheek. “That’s why you’re my favorite son.” Ilya grinned at Shane, who tried to look annoyed but mostly failed because his eyes had gone soft.

This is making my teeth hurt!

He closed his eyes and focused on how good it felt to be with Shane, alone in the dark, and tried not to wish it could be the same in the light.

I swear I will riot if this sweet baby angel doesn't get the over the top public love declaration that he deserves.

Shane realized that he’d basically trapped Ryan in a small space and unloaded a bunch of weirdness on him,

Shane you awkward little goober.

“We are very good at pretending to not be in love. Maybe we are bad at showing it when we are allowed.”

OMG WHY IS THIS SO SAD?!

Sometimes Ilya was so starved for touch he felt like screaming. He felt it most when Shane was close, like he was now, but off-limits.

You deserve to be out with your boyfriend!

Kiss me, Ilya wanted to say. Kiss me and hold me in front of all these people. Pull me onstage and do it. I don’t care anymore. Please. I’m dying. “Nothing,” Ilya said, and stepped away. “Nothing.”

awwww

“When you watch it, this is what you will see. Me saying nothing. I wanted to say you are fucking everything to me. Everything. Okay?”

Ilya you giant sap!

“Do you think the other dogs are nice to him at his school?” Ilya asked no one in particular. “Only the best of the best get to be in that place,” Coach assured him. “It’s like the NHL of dogs.” “Yes, but there are huge assholes in the NHL.” Coach laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Yeah, but not in Ottawa.”

You precious bean! Please get this adorble man a puppy!

“Why? You have a lot in common. You both are short, gay, and both think I am hot.” “Your favorite qualities in a man.”

Not that he cared if Shane understood. Shane certainly hadn’t understood why it had been important for Ilya to tell someone—anyone—that he was bisexual. And why it had felt so good to have his teammate come out to him. How good it felt to be making a new friend, and to have earned that friend’s trust so quickly.

You deserve to tell people about your sexuality and you deserve to have friends you can be open and honest with.

Quietly, in a voice that couldn’t disguise his pain, he said, “I already chose you, Hollander.”

You deserve so much better than someone who puts their job before you!

Shane realized that most of Ilya’s posts were, in weird cryptic ways, about Shane. His entire account was like a secret diary of their relationship, full of inside jokes and little references that only Shane would understand. And Shane hadn’t even bothered to look at it before. Not really. He looked now. He scrolled until his eyes were so blurry he had to give up and sob into his hands instead. How could Shane have doubted for a second how fiercely Ilya loved him?

I swear to flying spaghetti monster if you don't make it up to Ilya you're dead to me Shane!

You are the best thing in my life. His eyes were blurry, making it hard to type. He quickly swiped at his eyes and kept writing. I love you. Always. Maybe from the first time I saw you.

I'm going to cry.

I am thinking only about you right now. A million memories. Thank you for those.

Whatever happens, I am with you. Safe in your heart. I believe it.

“You’re not allowed to die, Ilya. Not before I do.” “Do you have to win everything?” “I have to not lose you.” His voice cracked on the last word.

and now I'm crying

“I choose you, Ilya. I promise I will always, always choose you.” Shane’s eyes began to shimmer. He took a deep breath and said, “Ilya Grigoryevich Rozanov, will you marry me?”

He's serious serious. He threw out the middle name!

Ilya grinned. “But I am right beside your bed, watching you have sex!” “Dude! I did not just hear that!” Ilya turned to see Dykstra standing behind him, laughing. “Stop spying.” “Stop watching the rookies have sex, then?” Ilya glared at him. “He has a poster of me. Is a joke.” Dykstra’s brow furrowed, and he looked at Luca. “You have a poster of Roz beside your bed?” “No! When I was a kid I did.” Dykstra laughed. “Dude, you are a kid.”

lmao

Wyatt furrowed his brow at them. “You know, you two don’t have to sit together.”

“Good.” Ilya took a drink of beer. Shane was laughing at something Matheson said. His eyes were all crinkled. “Is Kip happy you are retiring this year?” “Fuck off. I’m not retiring this year.” Ilya widened his eyes in mock surprise. “No? But your body is so old!” “Okay,” Scott said, and began to stand. “Good night, Rozanov.” “Do you remember where your room is?” “Shut up.” “Do you need help?”

“Oh! I know. From that gif. I see it all the time. From last season when I deked around you like you were a fucking statue and scored.”