Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
KELLAN
Coach is standing at the head of the locker room, two dozen sets of eyes staring intently at him, mine included.
“This is the last regular game of the season. We’re going to the playoffs no matter what, so I don’t want to see any showboating out there tonight.
You’ve worked hard this year, gentlemen.
Each and every one of you have impressed me with your drive and dedication.
” I’m not sure, but it feels like he gives me a longer look than everyone else.
A nervous anticipation settles through my body, like it always does before a game. For as much as hockey has become a way out for me in the last few years, it’s also played a huge part in shaping me into the man I’ve become.
And now, what happens next in my life is a source of excitement instead of fear.
My mom and brothers are at the game tonight. I caught up with them about an hour ago, and Joey just about lost his damn mind from excitement when a few people near us asked for autographs. It’s wild that this could only be the start of my hockey career depending on how the next few months play out.
Still, nothing is set in stone, and I’m trying to be okay with that.
Either way, I’m going to have an incredible college hockey career.
My family is in the best position that it’s ever been–and there’s been no hide nor hair of Rick since my mom filed for divorce and full custody, which is a small blessing.
He’s a prick, but he’s also incredibly lazy, which I’m hoping will be the saving grace to making things easy for her.
And Wells… God, it would kill me if we were separated by an ocean, but I’m not going to let distance stop me. I wasn’t interested in quick wins–on or off the ice–during college, and I’m sure as hell not going to want them if I go pro. So, whatever we can do to make it work, I’m all in.
I realize that Coach is done talking when I hear dozens of sticks pounding against the floor. By the time I’m standing, Coop and Dutch are both at my sides.
Coop gives me a broad smile. “Last regular season game of your college career, old man. How does it feel?”
I shake my head and laugh. I haven’t put my gloves on yet, so I grab him by the shoulder and throw my arm around him.
He leans into me. I’m grateful that after our conversation last week, things are back to being normal between us.
“With age comes wisdom, young buck,” I tease. “One day you’ll learn.”
Dutch rolls his eyes at the same time he throws his arm around my other shoulder. “Guess that makes me the invisible middle sibling?”
“The glue that holds us together, you mean.” So sue me. I’m feeling extra charitable tonight. And these guys have stuck by me through thick and thin for the last few years. I’m going to miss them like hell when I graduate soon.
“Think we have what it takes to take it all this year?” Coop asks, suddenly feeling like the youngest between the three of us.
“Well, even if Kellan misses his chance, we still have more time,” Dutch says to Coop. He earns a swift elbow into his padding for that comment.
“Good luck without me,” I scoff. But the reality is that these two, along with the young up-and-comers on the team, definitely have what it takes to get us back into the playoffs next year. I know that whatever happens, I’m leaving the Renegades in good hands.
Dutch shoots me a glance. “It’ll be the end of an era, man.
Though I’m sure you won’t miss having to play kiss ass at the events,” he says, referring to the reception happening after the game that the university is hosting.
It will be a combination of university donors, new players, alumni, and, sometimes, pro recruiters.
I haven’t let myself give it too much thought ahead of tonight’s game. I groan. “Well, if I go pro, I’m sure there’ll be more where that came from.” A ton more visibility and scrutiny. I’ve refused to let myself think about that, either.
One of the assistant coaches, Mike, pushes open the locker room door and pokes his head inside.“You three think I can interrupt this precious moment and ask you kindly to get your asses on the ice?”
“Ready?” I ask, looking at both of the men on my line who’ve supported me in getting to this point. I owe them more than I can ever repay, but I’ll try to at least give them an incredible end to the season.
We all bump fits in the middle, but Dutch answers first. “Ready.”
Coop lets out a loud whoop. “Let’s go.”
We won the game, resoundingly. All I want to do to celebrate is veg out on the sofa with Wells and eat an obscene amount of food, but instead, I’m wearing a pair of dress pants and a button-up shirt at nine-thirty at night, ready to go glad-hand with everyone and their uncle.
I was a little later than the rest of the team heading up here because I stopped by to see my mom and brothers at the players entrance.
Hopefully, the schmoozing will be in full-swing.
If I’m lucky, I can sneak in and grab about a hundred little hors d'oeuvres to tide me over until I get to Wells’ later.
With a week until our first playoff game, my mind is back to focusing on more important things–namely a stoic adonis of a man who I haven’t seen in three days.
It should have been a week, but I couldn’t stay away on Wednesday night.
Call me a simp, I don’t care. I missed him too damn much not to seek him out.
Especially because I could feel that he was in a weird place.
I walk into the large event room overlooking the ice, ready to do battle with a metric fuck-ton of bacon wrapped scallops–pretty much the only reason I come to these things–when I stop short.
My whole body grows warm at the sight of Wells.
He’s wearing a dark, fitted suit that hugs his lean muscles perfectly, standing with a group of people around a high-top table about twenty feet away.
I think for a second that he’s here for me, except that I notice a similar-looking guy next to him.
He’s bulkier and a little shorter, but that’s unmistakably a Wellington.
Then I clock the man on the other side, who both younger men are the spitting image of in the face.
A woman rounds out the group, who I assume is Wells’ mom.
I hesitate. Should I go over? I don’t know what the protocol is for meeting any significant other’s family, especially with our specific situation.
His eyes land on me, and I relax when they light up. God, I’ve missed his face. I smile back at him, even though I don’t move.
But still… this is going to be weird. No matter what happens next.
Instead of standing in the doorway like an idiot, as waitstaff are graciously moving around me, I make a beeline for the drinks station.
I’m ordering a beer when I feel his presence next to me. “I didn’t know you’d be making an appearance tonight,” I say casually.
“A gin and tonic, please,” Wells tells the bartender before turning his attention to me.
“I was informed by Carter today that he’d appreciate my attendance tonight for moral support.
” We get our drinks and step over to the side of the bar.
He leans forward, and I think he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t.
“You look good. I didn’t know that you cleaned up so well. ”
The compliment sends a flurry of desire through me. I lick my lips which pulls his attention, and a moment passes between us. I groan, remembering where we are. “You can’t say things like that.” His green eyes continue to bore into me. “Honestly, you probably can’t even look at me.”
I shoot a glance at his brother, who’s looking in our direction but quickly averts his gaze. “Does he know?”
Wells shakes his head. “No. He doesn’t know that we’re together.” I hear the sadness creep into his voice, and I hope it won’t always be this way for him. For us. He follows it with, “but he wouldn’t judge you. Honestly, I think he’d be over the fucking moon if he found out that we’re dating.”
My brow draws upward. “Is that so?”
He laughs then, and it takes everything that I have not to mold our bodies together. “Let’s just say that you have two big fans in the Wellington family,” he says, giving me a surprisingly cheesy grin.
“Well, now I for sure need to meet the guy that wants to give you a run for your money as my biggest fan.”
Wells hesitates. “Are you sure? I mean, my parents will be nice enough to your face but…”
“It’s only going to be because they don’t know the truth about us?” I supply.
“Something like that.”
I lean closer. “I don’t care what they think about me, and I’m excited to meet your brother.” I see the relief on his face, and I wish that I could give him a hug right now.
“I don’t deserve you, Kellan.”
I shrug and discreetly squeeze his hand. “Not sure what to tell you then because you’re stuck with me.”
“Promise?”
I wish that I could understand the look on his face, even as my answer comes easily. “Try and keep me away.”
He gives me a lopsided smile before sobering. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I was coming. I only found out today, and I didn’t want to stress you out.”
I wave him off and shoot him a grin. “Ready for me to meet the parents?” I ask, even though it does send a nervous shot through me. I don’t give a shit what they think about me, but I want this to go okay for Wells.
He lets out a deep breath and downs the rest of his drink.
I wait as he orders another one before we head over to the table.
Upon closer inspection, I can see that Carter looks a little bit like an excited puppy who’s trying to act casual.
I don’t blame him. He’ll get used to it soon enough, but I felt the same way when I met the then-current Renegades when I was a high school senior.
I smile and extend my hand. “I’m Kellan. Wells said that you may have an interest in meeting me.”
“Yeah… I mean yes.” He shakes my hand. “I didn’t realize that you were the athlete that he knew.”