Chapter 19 #2
“What? Why would they do that? Won’t it be a death sentence for him?” I drank more wine. “He can challenge it, can’t he?” I wasn’t sure how this shit worked, but it seemed like there should be an insurance board he could bring this to.
His shoulders drooped. “The insurance company thinks there are cheaper treatments he can do.” His jaw muscles bulged. “I don’t want this to derail our evening. Just know I’m taking care of it.” He pulled his lobster tail from the shell.
“Taking care of it? How?” He couldn’t leave this discussion hanging this way. “Ronan?” I grabbed his forearm as it rested along his plate.
With a huff, he flicked his gaze to mine. “I offered to pay for it.” He blew a lock of bang off his face and his lips flattened. “It’s a lot of money, but I have it.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I’m poor. Not anymore, anyway.”
Did he think I would try to talk him out of it? “Of course, Ronan. He’s your father. You should help him. Hell, I’d do the same for anyone in my family.” I squeezed his arm. Where was his uncertainty coming from? Drew? He knew Ronan’s father better than me. “Did Drew try to talk you out of it?”
Pushing his zucchini across his plate with his fork, he said, “Drew is leery of the situation. But Drew’s a more careful person than I am.
He questions everything, especially when there’s money involved.
You should have seen him go over our contract with the label.
” He scoffed. “It took him forever to sign it.”
“Okay, so proceed with caution. But I agree you should help Jeff if you can. You have a chance here that not everyone gets.” I released his arm and started on my lobster. How was Ronan feeling about his father? “Ronan?” I cut a piece of my lobster and dunked into the drawn butter he’d made.
“Yeah?” He drank some wine.
“Do you feel closer to Jeff now that you’ve spent some time with him?” I stopped cutting another piece and gauged his reaction. Jeff had seemed genuine to me, but who was I to say?
“I do.” After eating a bite of steak, he chewed for a moment. “The last time he visited, I almost thought of him as my dad.” As his gaze rose to mine, his eyes glistened. With his lips bowed down, he said, “I hope like hell he isn’t pulling something over on me.”
“Ronan.” I dropped my silverware on my plate, jumped from my chair and hooked my arms around his shoulders, kissing the side of his head.
I never wanted to see him hurt like this again.
“Hey, let’s see how this develops.” I inhaled deeply, my heart wrenching.
“You don’t know that he’s been anything but truthful with you. ”
“Yes, you’re right.” He sniffled and held onto my forearms. “I’ll know on Monday when I call his doctor.”
“He gave you the name of his doctor?” I released him and returned to my chair. “Why?” Had he worked directly with the doctor to transfer the funds?
“I don’t know if the funds will transfer in time for his visit.” He drank some wine. “Plus, Drew mentioned that paying cash might reduce the price.” His chest swelled as he took a deep breath. “Drew wanted me to call and make sure this was legit.”
“Okay, well, you’ll find out on Monday.” I cut more steak.
“Our next game is on Wednesday, but if we play Florida, it’ll be a home game, and I won’t have to travel on Tuesday.
” I stuffed the steak into my mouth. “I have to be at practice Monday, and there are strategy meetings. But call me. I’ll make myself available.
” Jesus Christ, why was this happening now?
If all this shit could have waited until after the playoffs, I could have been here with him through the entire thing.
“Okay.” His shoulders relaxed, and he ate more food. “Thank you, Evan.”
I fluttered my eyes open to sunshine streaming in through a crack in Ronan’s blackout curtains in his bedroom and ruminated on our evening together.
It had been amazing, relaxing and unwinding from the championship game, and we’d even drunk a bottle of champagne while watching a movie on his couch.
Though he’d had more than I. He’d thought of everything last night.
When we’d finally headed to bed, we’d had each other again with amazing blow jobs.
I’d fallen so deeply for this man, it was unbelievable.
Could I really have it all, like Lucas and Ezra?
Ronan stirred behind me, his arm wrapped around my chest as we spooned. “Why are you awake at such an ungodly hour?”
“Ungodly? Hell, half my regular day is already gone.” It was time I did something for him. Twisting partway around, I said, “Hey, you stay here while I make us some breakfast.”
“Yeah?” He rolled to his back and set his forearm across his eyes. “Can you shut the curtains when you leave?”
“Sure.” With a chuckle, I climbed out of bed, slid my athletic shorts up my legs and pulled the curtains shut. Ronan acted like a damn vampire sometimes.
“That’s not fair.” He groaned, reaching a hand toward me.
“What’s not fair?” I stepped toward him.
Shifting closer to the end of the bed, he grabbed my junk. “You walking around my house with those shorts on and no underwear while I’m in bed.”
I slapped his hand away. “Later, rockstar boy. Your hockey player needs food.” Shaking my head and with a quick laugh, I strode toward the door. “Should I let Bean out?”
“Please.” He huffed.
“Okay, got it.” I strolled into Bean’s room and opened his cage.
“Come on, little guy. It’s just you and me this morning.
Daddy’s got a hangover, I think.” As warmth swept through my heart, I waited while Bean stepped from his cage and stretched.
Oh, fuck. My jaw dropped. This felt so natural.
It felt right, like I should wake up every morning in this house, cook breakfast for him while he slept in, and take care of his adorable dog.
I fisted my hand over my heart. I was in love.
All the fucking way. No question about it.
As Bean trotted to the doorway, he glanced toward Ronan’s bedroom.
“Nope, you let Daddy sleep. I’ve got you.” Patting my thigh, I strolled toward the kitchen, and he followed. Imagine living in this house with him when he was home from the road?
After strolling through the main room, I slid the doggy door open, and Bean jumped out.
I’d always thought my NHL salary would bring a mini-mansion of my own in Scottsdale along with my new Mercedes, but I didn’t see having a place like that if…
I was getting ahead of myself and needed to fucking stop.
With a peek at Bean, sniffing the bushes in the yard, I stretched and padded into the kitchen. Ronan would need a dose of grease after drinking so much last night. With a grin, I pulled out eggs, bacon, and cheese. Maybe omelettes would work? Or an egg scramble. Yes, a scramble would be easier.
When the food was ready, I strolled into Ronan’s bedroom with Bean right behind me. He’d sat by my feet the entire time I cooked, but I’d been good and not given him any food. Goddamn, it was hard though. He was too cute.
“Ronan.” I crept onto the bed, admiring his exposed chest while the covers crumpled at his waist.
Bean hopped onto the bed, his butt wiggling, and stomped all around Ronan’s head, licking his face and sniffing.
“Okay, okay, I’m up.” While sitting up, Ronan grabbed Bean by the face. “You little menace.” He planted a quick kiss on his nose and then held him to his chest. “Breakfast?”
Warmth ran circles around my heart. It never ceased to amaze me how different Ronan’s stage persona was from his real one. I patted Bean on the head. “Bean helped make breakfast.”
“He did, did he?” Ronan smirked. “You didn’t give—”
“No, it almost killed me, but I didn’t give him any.” With a chuckle, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on Ronan’s lips. “Come on and eat. We’ve got an egg scramble and some fruit.”
“Perfect.” Releasing Bean, Ronan shimmied off the bed and then strode to his dresser for a pair of sweats.
“Oh, sweats with no underwear?” I hopped off the bed and stepped behind him, grabbing his junk as he lifted the band of the sweats to his hips. “How am I supposed to eat with you looking like that?”
“You can eat me afterward.” With a mischievous grin, he twisted around and cupped my balls. “Are you staying all day, or do you have to return home?”
“I can stay all day.” Maybe I’d try the plug later? Hell, why not. “Come on, it’s getting cold.” I grasped his hand and led him into the hallway.
We talked and laughed through breakfast, and as we ate the last bites of our food, Ronan’s phone buzzed on the table.
He picked up the phone, and his grin faded. “Fuck.”
“What is it?” I sipped my coffee. Hopefully, it wasn’t something that could ruin our morning. Or what remained of the morning, since it was almost noon.
“It’s Jeff. I need to take this.” He rose, stepping away from the table. “Hello?”
I wanted to hear this conversation, but maybe it was too private. With my gut tightening, I slipped the last of my egg scramble into my mouth.
With a quick nod, Ronan said, “Yeah, okay. So that provides additional time to transfer the money into your account. Are you sure you can wait for your first treatment until then?” He planted his hand on his hip and paced across the room.
It had to be about Ronan giving him money for his medical bills. Leaning back in my chair, I picked up my coffee cup and held it with both hands. God, I hoped I wasn’t wrong about his father’s intentions.
“Sure, this should work.” With a grimace, he said, “You’re right. Contacting the doctor now isn’t necessary. I’ll, uh, be in touch.” Marching toward me, he said, “Bye now.” He dropped the phone to his side. “Fuck.”
“What was that about?” I took a calming breath and drank my coffee. He looked pretty unhappy.