The Long Game (Game Changers, #6)

by Rachel Reid

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

“We are together at your cottage. You are gay. I am hot.”

A couple of the kids are allergic to eggs.” “Then we won’t throw eggs at them.”

“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.

“I think you’d like what we did today.” Ilya spoke quietly, in Russian, to the sky. “I hope you are proud.”

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 am Ilya. This is my... Shane.”

“I am bisexual,” Ilya said, nodding. “Shane is super gay.”

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

“Hey,” Wyatt protested. “Just because we’re bad, and in a city that no one wants to play in, and we have no fans...”

Sometimes Ilya was so starved for touch he felt like screaming.

“I’ve been fucking dying to have you inside me, though.” Ilya grinned. “You are on speaker phone by the way.” “What?” “I am kidding.” “Jesus.” Shane exhaled. “Not funny.”

Ilya dropped back onto the couch with a huff. “Is bullshit.” “You should be honored,” Yuna said. “It’s a show of respect.” “Is a show of being a thief.”

“They say you are back together. Congratulations. Very happy for you.”

“Yes. Was probably true. I look at you and I am just...” Ilya opened and closed his fist several times in front of his chest. “My heart goes crazy, you know?”

“My good friend Shane Hollander, you mean?” “There’s no way he likes you that much.” “He loves me,” Ilya said plainly. Honestly.

“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?”

“I am so glad I met you,” Ilya said quietly.

“Good night, sex machine,” Shane said quietly.

Ilya laughed, and kissed behind Shane’s ear. “We do not talk about these freckles on the back of your neck enough.”

“You’d like him. You are both very bad at being gay.”

Shane exhaled slowly. “I don’t think I like Troy.” “Why? You have a lot in common. You both are short, gay, and both think I am hot.”

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

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 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.

He could tell right away that Shane had been crying. “Oh,” Ilya said softly. “Sweetheart. I am so sorry.”

Fucking relax, Rozanov.”

“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?”

“I love you so much,” Shane said softly. Ilya swallowed. “I will be very proud to be your husband.”

His best, as it turned out, was a fraction of a second too slow. Shane was declared the winner. But, for real, it was basically a tie. So whatever.

“I’m glad you’re friends, or whatever,” Shane grumbled. “I will tell him you said that,” Ilya said, “next time we are showering together.”

Ilya smiled to himself, feeling like he’d gained back a piece of himself, as he waited for his own car.

“I love you, but I have to ask this: Are you sure you didn’t steal someone else’s dog?”

“Shane,” Ilya sighed. “Not now. And of course I would have.”

Scott blew out a breath. “Jesus. This is really weird. Sorry.” “Why?” Ilya asked. “Because we are both men?” “What?” Scott sputtered. “No! Because...you know what? Fuck you, Rozanov.”

“Can I take you to bed now, then? And you wear only that jersey?” Shane leaned in and kissed him. “Is this a hazing thing?” “Yes. I do it to everyone.” “Shut up.” “Troy was incredible.”

“Oh,” Shane said, halfway through the song. “I’ve heard this before.” Ilya laughed. “I love you so much it sucks.”