Chapter 17
TYLER
Not going to lie, walking toward Lainey’s brother in the hall of the arena where we just had a game is daunting. Especially since Anaheim lost, which means he will be in a shittier mood.
Since New Year’s with Lainey, it’s become clear that we are meant to give us a go. I only do things in which I will succeed and that means being the best boyfriend and more on earth. I swear, my mind couldn’t even construct that sentence a few months ago.
Maybe my dad rubbed off on me, because I feel the need to go a little old-school and speak with her brother. It’s the honorable thing to do. It’s better this way because I’m going to give Lainey my jersey, and that could send him over the edge if he doesn’t have a warning.
Seb’s back is against the painted white brick wall, and his feet and arms are folded. His stoic face means there will be no chitchat. He is in jeans, a shirt, and has showered hair, which means he at least had time to calm down, I hope.
Arriving in front of him, I return the serious expression. “Hey. Thanks for meeting me.”
“Trust me. You couldn’t have picked a better moment.” He’s sarcastic.
“Look, I’ll be quick. Lainey and I—”
“Yes. You and my sister. I should have put you in the penalty box when I had that opportunity behind the net.”
I scratch my jaw and attempt to figure out the best way to approach this. “You’re smart. You are aware that we’ve grown closer.”
“No shit. Now tell me this isn’t for fun.”
“It’s not. I mean, at first your sister and I got off on the wrong foot, but then there was Halloween and something shifted. Thanksgiving came and we gravitated to one another. Then there was Jaime’s friend—”
Seb’s hand darts out to touch my shoulder and stop me. “What?” His tone is sharp.
Ah fuck. She never told him.
I sigh, and his hand drops. “Shit. I thought she would have told you. She ran into her asshole ex’s friend who shares the same characteristics.”
Fury fills his entire body. “What did he say to her?”
“Nothing. I got him to leave.”
Seb stands taller and adjusts his neck and seems to appreciate it, but his face is still cold and contemplating murder. “Good.”
I search the hallway and see that there are only a few people packing away equipment at the end. Other than two guys on the team, nobody is aware that Seb’s sister and I are together.
“Look, I just wanted to say that I’m serious about Lainey.”
“It’s not just Lainey.”
“Enzo is part of the equation, and I’m on board with that. He’s a great kid.”
Seb continues to drill his gaze into me. He’s completely unreadable. “If you fuck things up, then holy shit there will be hell for you to pay.”
I nod gently in agreement. I get it, I do.
“So, what? You came here to ask for my approval?” Now I see the hint of humor laced in his facial expression.
“I’m going to give her one of my jerseys.”
“Awww, how cute. Tyler wants to give a girl his jersey,” he mocks like I am a child, but then his demeanor changes. “But that traditional BS is a big step.” Can this dude give me any indication of what he is feeling?
Rolling my shoulders back, I decide to take control of the situation. “Like it or not, it’s happening. I just thought I would give you a heads-up.”
He tips his nose a little higher as if he is sniffing out the situation. “Don’t get cocky. As much as I fucking hate it, Lainey is Lainey, and although you are a grumpy fucker, you are a stand-up guy. So, fine. But this is my warning that I have no problem with murder.”
His icy gaze is in full force when he bumps into my shoulder as he walks away.
At least I can check this conversation off the list.
Drying my hair with a towel, I watch the hockey highlights on the television mounted on the wall. We just got back from our away game, and tomorrow we will head into another practice before our home game the day after. January to February is killer on the hockey schedule.
The adrenaline is on full blast because our team is one spot away in the standing to hopefully get a wildcard spot for the cup. We still have a lot of games to play, but for now, we are in a good place.
But the adrenaline? It’s actually because of Lainey in this very moment.
I said I would see her and Enzo for dinner.
Tossing my towel to the side, I slide my cell out of my jeans pocket and swipe the screen to order pizza.
It’s the easiest. Enzo can be picky, and Lainey shouldn’t have to cook after a long day.
I choose classic cheese for Enzo and opt for the veggie for Lainey and meat overload for me.
After, I check my calendar because I have a call with my agent scheduled for tomorrow.
Something else catches my eye on the calendar. It happens right during all-star week, actually. I’ve never once taken notice of this particular day except hearing from the guys what they do every year.
February 14th.
Valentine’s Day.
Damn. Now that day needs to have an alarm or three on my phone. It is positively insane, but it’s also kind of exciting. I can think of ways to surprise Lainey. It’s cliché for sure, the whole day, but I want a piece of the experience. I’ll just have to think of the best way to celebrate it.
For now, I focus on tonight.
I finish up a few things then open Lainey’s apartment door. Normally, I knock. However, I can hear that she’s in the midst of a debate with Enzo. I get the gist of it as I work my way through their home.
“Enzo. For the last time, please pick up the cars and zip up your school bag for tomorrow, otherwise I’m swapping your cheese pizza for broccoli and celery sticks with rice.” She doesn’t mean it, and even annoyed with her son, she has that warm affection for him.
“Tyler!” Enzo stands up from the mess on the floor and runs to me. Lainey’s sight follows her son, and she gives me a welcoming but exhausting smile.
I kneel down to be at Enzo’s height. “What’s going on?”
“That was an awesome assist last night… I mean, Uncle Seb played good, but you played better.”
Lainey sets her hands on his shoulders as she stands behind him. “Let’s keep that opinion between these four walls,” she muses.
“Thanks, buddy. But what’s this I hear about not listening to your mom?”
His eyes dip down, with his chin to his chest. “It’s too much to clean up.”
“That’s why we put things away as we play,” Lainey reminds him.
“Your mom is right.”
She scruffs his hair. “Go work on your room and I’ll help with the living room, okay?” Sometimes compromises are best.
“Okay.” He runs away.
I’m finally able to stand and pull Lainey into a hug before giving her a long kiss. We only do this when Enzo isn’t around. To him, I’m just a friend and neighbor. Going slow for him is understandable, and I follow Lainey’s cues.
But the other side of us, I can push.
“Pizza should be here in twenty.”
“Perfect.” She interlaces our fingers and walks me to the couch to plop us down onto the cushions, and she faces me on her side and rests her head against her propped elbow on the back of the couch. “You must be exhausted. You had a late game then flew out this morning.”
“Nah, I’m used to it. Besides, you’ve had to deal with Hurricane Enzo today.”
Her brows rise knowingly. “It’s been one of those days.” She puffs out a breath.
This is my in. “Then let’s just get it all out.”
She shifts and seems confused. “Is everything okay?”
I’m leaning leisurely back with my feet planted on the ground, my hands on my thighs, and I turn my head to meet her gaze. “It’s perfect. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with your brother after the game.”
She juts her chin out and her eyes are wide. “Oh? And you’re here in one piece.”
The corner of my mouth stretches from the obvious assumption. “It was good. I just wanted to tell him something before I ask you.”
“Ask me what?”
I trap her hand on her thigh between my palms. “You and me. We’re doing well, and I will completely follow you when it comes to Enzo. I just want you to know that I’m in this, and I understand that you’re not alone but…” What am I saying exactly?
Lainey’s eyes narrow, and she tips her head to the side. “You want to go official?” she finishes my sentence because our brains have synced.
“Yeah, you wearing my jersey while in the box with the other players’ girlfriends and not hiding.” It’s completely selfish. “Honestly, I understand that we need to tread carefully for Enzo.”
She scoots closer to me. “I love that you are so adamant about it. You care, and I have no doubts about it. Actually…” Her mouths seals then opens with a smile.
“I wanted to talk to you about everything tonight. We’ve been dancing around one another all of fall and winter, and I’m certain of what we are.
I think it’s time that Enzo knows about us. He’s smart.”
Wow, I’ve been waiting for this sign, but now that it’s here, I feel nervous. That takes me off guard but in a good way.
“Okay. How do you want to do this?”
Her hand escapes my palms, and she begins to draw her finger in circles on the back of my hand.
In a soothing way. “There is no better time than now. I thought about talking alone with him about it, but last night when I let him stay up late to watch your game, I realized we should do it together. You’re already embedded in our life. ”
I love hearing this. My heart is bursting, and I’m a version of myself that I don’t quite recognize.
My other hand cups her cheek, and I press my thumb near the corner of her mouth. Her eyes delicate and face soft. “I love you,” I whisper. Maybe it was in the back of my head to say, but right now it spilled out of my mouth because it’s a moment that needs truth.
Lainey has a radiant glow, with her wry grin. “I love you too.”
We meet halfway when we slowly kiss. Our confirmation of us.
Our mouths part, and my lips trace hers. My breath is warm and my body in bliss.
This woman has the power to make me the opposite of everything I am on the ice.
Luckily, I can compartmentalize a little.
But off the ice, I’m a goner. A man my father raised and the man that I’m proud of when I look in the mirror because I recognize that my special someone has entered my life, and I won’t let her go.
“It’s done,” Enzo interrupts us, giving us just enough time to create space between one another.
Lainey abandons me on the couch and waves to Enzo, indicating that he needs to sit down on the lounge chair. He doesn’t seem fazed and obeys. She then joins him and sits on the arm of the chair.
“Maybe we should wait until after pizza, but I’m going to share something with you now,” she tells him.
I stay in my spot and let her lead. “Tyler and I, we’re more than friends.
” Enzo doesn’t quite understand, it’s apparent on his face.
“As in the whole boyfriend and girlfriend thing that you hear about from movies and your friends.”
“Ohhh.” A light clicks on his head. The widest ear-to-ear grin that I’ve seen in a long time appears, with his missing tooth in full show. “I kind of thought so. This is super cool. Now we can go to games, right? Like, get the cool snacks and shirts.”
I try to hide my chuckle because this is a lot easier than I expected, and his concern is food. Lainey’s face is priceless, as if she is disappointed that her son just gave her an out for a conversation that she’s probably been nervous about.
“Any questions?” Lainey says flatly, as she is still in awe.
Enzo shakes his head. “No.”
“Really?” Should I be doubting his confidence in his answers? Is this all a cover to prank me later because he hates the idea of his mom and me together?
“Yeah. Hey, Mom, do I still have to clean up in the living room? Or can I do it tomorrow morning?”
Whoa, the kid is treating this conversation easy as a breeze.
“Ha. Fat chance,” Lainey responds, and she seems to be following his signals of keeping this conversation simple. “How about grabbing some plates for me?”
“Fine,” he moans and mopes away. “But the cheese pizza is mine.”
Lainey gives him a little curtsy that he doesn’t see. “Yes, your majesty.”
She stretches her neck to watch for him to be out of earshot, and the moment he is, her eyes blaze open, and she looks at me with an ear-to-ear smile. “Sometimes it’s better not to make a big deal out of something.”
“Oh, because this isn’t a big deal,” I say, flippant.
She pads over on the balls of her feet to me. “Like I said, you’ve already been part of our lives, so I guess that doesn’t change. We might want to work our way into the whole kissing in front of him or sleepovers. But we no longer need to sneak around.”
I yank on her wrist, and she falls straight onto my lap and loops her arms around my neck. “Okay, I can do that. G-rated cuddle time during movie night. Arm around your shoulders while thinking about my hand on your thigh under the blanket.”
That sultry look of her comes out to taunt me. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“I need examples,” I urge.
Her fingers begin to play with the hairs on the back of my neck. “My mouth enjoys being stuffed,” she whispers against my cheek before kissing the corner of my mouth.
My hands frame her hips to keep her on top of me. “Inappropriate. It’s almost pizza time, and you’re trying to make me suffer,” I tut.
“I would do no such thing.” She curls her lip into a pout. “But I might have something special to wear next time we do end up in bed.” She flutters her lashes, and my entire body is about to ignite on fire.
“Your bewitching ways are out in full force today.”
She shrugs. “I’m just happy,” she replies in earnest. “Now tell me about this jersey.”
“It has my number and says boyfriend. It’ll drive me insane when I’m on the ice but will fuel my need to impress and win a game.”
Her lips part open in feigned shock. “Tyler Ives, are you using me for your career ambitions?”
I squeeze her flesh, and it causes her to yelp. “That’s just a bonus. I have what I need in my lap right now.”
Our noses nuzzle, and the feeling of her in my arms with a direction that is only going forward feels like the best goal of my life.
She seals our lips together for a kiss, and we both hum a sound from the feeling of one another, and when our kiss breaks, she drags herself off my body and offers me her hand.
“Come on, boyfriend, it’s pizza time, and later I want to try on this jersey of yours.”
“A perfect plan.” I’m on board with this. “Only my jersey on and nothing else?” I try my luck.
“No need to ask the obvious.” She yanks me to hurry.