21. Devon
21
DEVON
It was late by the time I got home. We were on the road for two games and flew back late last night. Today was an off day, which I was grateful for because it meant I could spend it with Lincoln. I already knew he didn’t have to work. After tomorrow’s home game, the Jetties were hitting the road again but for a longer stretch. I wanted as much time with Lincoln as possible before then.
I loved hockey but I loved Lincoln too. I hadn’t planned on confessing my love for him the last time I saw him since I wasn’t sure how he felt. But hearing those words leave his lips, I couldn’t keep mine inside any longer. He deserved to know how much I cared for him.
After showering, I got dressed and placed an order for breakfast to-go from the diner that everyone loved, located only a few blocks from the urgent care. I wanted to surprise Lincoln. Hopefully I got to see the sleep rumpled version of him. It was becoming my favorite.
I was halfway there when my phone rang through the truck’s speakers. My mom’s name came up on the screen.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Devon, I stopped by your place, and you weren’t there. I figured you’d still be in bed. I was going to make you breakfast.” I could hear the disappointment in her voice. I hadn’t been spending much time with my family between hockey and Lincoln. I needed to fix that.
“I’m on my way to pick up breakfast and spend the day out. How does dinner after tomorrow night’s game sound?”
“Espen Steakhouse it is.”
“You know the guys will want to come.”
“And you know we’re more than happy to have them there.”
There was a long pause. I’d been waiting for her to say something about Lincoln. By now she had to know there was at least a friendship between us. Donna would have told her about our lunch visit. But Mom hadn’t brought it up… yet. I knew it was coming.
Finally, she huffed out a breath. “You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?”
I couldn’t hold back my smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Coy doesn’t suit you. Now tell me how long you’ve been seeing Lincoln.”
“Well, I’ve seen him for a while. He’s not new, Mom.”
“Don’t be a smart-ass.”
Laughing, I said, “Fine, I give. We’re together.”
“How together?”
“I love him.” They were hands down the easiest words I’d ever said. They were also the truest.
“Oh, Dev.” I could hear how happy she was. “That’s amazing. Now tell me when you two are coming over for dinner.”
We stayed on the phone talking until I got to the diner. When I ordered breakfast, I told them what time I’d be by to pick it up and it was ready and still hot.
Luckily, I was able to find parking easily near Lincoln’s apartment building and took the stairs to his floor. My heart was racing, not from the exercise, but from the excitement of seeing him. I hoped that never faded. That I’d always feel this happy with anticipation.
I knocked on the door and a few seconds later, Lincoln opened it. He smiled. “How did I know you’d end up at my door this morning?” I didn’t get him sleep rumpled, but he was still sexy as hell.
Stepping to him, I crushed my mouth against his. It hadn’t been long since I’d seen him, though it felt like forever.
Lincoln tugged me into the apartment and kicked the door shut behind him. The bag with our food in it dropped to the floor. It wasn’t a far fall; our food would still be good when we got done saying hi to each other. And by hi I meant that our clothes started flying off and our mouths hardly left each other’s bodies. I was drinking down his cum while shooting mine into his mouth in no time.
We lay in his bed after, still darkened by curtains but with enough light that I could make out his features. My cheek rested on his thigh as I looked at him.
“Damn, I did not expect that.” He chuckled.
“I did bring food. I thought we could eat first but then I saw you and yeah, food forgotten.”
His fingers lightly moved up and down my leg. We were each still level with the other’s dick. Mine was trying to surge back to life, but I was too tired after not enough sleep and having my balls drained for it to end up at full mast again.
He lightly pinched my leg. “Let’s eat. We wouldn’t want it go to waste.”
“But then I have to get out of your bed, and I don’t want to move.” I nuzzled closer until my nose was brushing his balls.
“Fuck, Dev.”
I licked him there. He was still sensitive from coming. His fingers threaded into my hair as I increased my efforts until he pulled me away and started talking about food again.
“Cockblocked by an omelet,” I muttered.
Lincoln sat up and brushed my hair back. I needed to get it cut but that was going to wait until the season was over. We were winning games and cutting my hair wasn’t going to fuck with that. Superstitious? Absolutely. I wasn’t as bad as some of the other guys on the team. Leslie was the worst though.
“After food we could find our way into bed again.”
“Nope.” I shook my head trying to steel my resolve. “I want to go out today.”
“Out?”
“It’s gorgeous. The sun is shining and it’s in the upper fifties. It’s a rare March day, and we need to take advantage of it.”
“Where are we going?”
“This is going to sound stupid. I’d love nothing more than to walk around the park with you where I can hold your hand and just enjoy the peace and quiet.” I ducked my head and started tickling along his inner thigh. We spent a lot of time indoors, and rightfully so, since it was winter. But I didn’t want to waste this beautiful day.
“Devon.”
I kept my head down. Why was I still like this with Lincoln? He’d been inside me for fuck’s sake, yet voicing something as simple as taking a walk in the park had me reverting to how I was when we first started talking.
“Dev, look at me.”
I did, slowly. Lincoln met my gaze with love. And I returned it just as much and with a little bit of hesitation about what I said. I was so gone for him.
“I thought we were past this, where you didn’t shy away from me.”
“Apparently not.”
“I’d love to go out with you today. A stroll around the park sounds nice.”
“Yeah?” It sounded so stupid when I suggested it, but the more I thought about it, I wanted it. Just a stressless day, where we didn’t do much except spend time with each other.
“Yeah.”
I sat up and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was slow. It didn’t go beyond that, though I was game for it. Lincoln was laughing, pulling me from bed. We found our food on the floor, still in the containers, only slightly jostled.
We heated our food in the microwave and ate on the couch while we watched a quick show. Then we were headed outside for our walk.
Lincoln was lucky that he lived so close to the open space of the park. It wasn’t huge, but it was enough space to spread out and not be on top of other people. There were a few parks scattered throughout the city, places for people to walk their dogs or play with their kids. Not many were out today, even though it was nice. The air still had a chill to it.
My hands were stuffed into the pockets of my coat, not sure if Lincoln did want to hold my hand or not. Being out here with me was a big step. Anyone could see us together. Not that we hadn’t gone other places, but we weren’t showing the world we were together with our actions. Well, we kissed at the urgent care, although the only ones who saw us were Donna and my friends.
We turned down a trail, a couple of runners jogged past us, not paying us any mind. I was busy watching them when I felt Lincoln tug on my arm. I glanced over and the sweet look on his face had me wanting to press him against the nearest tree.
“You wanted to hold hands, right?” he asked.
“Yeah, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to. We’re out in the open here.”
Lincoln pulled my hand from my pocket and laced his fingers with mine. “I don’t plan to live our relationship behind closed doors, Dev.”
“The media can be a bit much at times. I don’t like the attention. Once they find out I’m dating someone, they’re going to figure out who you are.”
He looked off to the side where a woman was throwing a frisbee for her dog. His hand tightened on mine. “I knew when I started dating you that you were a public figure. I don’t want my life dug into, but I won’t give you up because of it.” His eyes met mine again. “I love you, and if loving you comes with other shit, then so be it.” He said the words. I heard them, but the tension in his body said otherwise.
The last thing I wanted was to upset Lincoln in any way. He’d been through enough. Still fought demons inside. I didn’t want to do anything to add to it.
Instead of asking him about how he was feeling, I gave his hand a tug and got us walking again. The farther we went, the more he relaxed. At one point, he pulled me behind a cluster of trees to kiss me. It was way too short but with the way the sun illuminated him, I swore I was living in a fairy tale. Everything about this day was perfect. I just had to keep my hands from running over his body until we got back to his place.
As we made our way toward where we started, Lincoln directed us to a large gazebo which was currently empty. “Can we sit for a bit before walking back?”
“Of course. Is your leg bothering you?”
“Not too bad but I’d like to sit for a few before continuing.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking when I suggested this. I should have found something else for us to do that didn’t involve so much moving around.” Fuck, I wanted to kick my own ass for not thinking about it earlier.
When I looked at Lincoln, I didn’t see his scars or his slight limp. I saw his beauty inside and out. I saw a man who had been through a lot but didn’t let it define him. He was so damn special, and I was lucky he chose to give his love to me.
“It’s not your fault, Dev. If I thought it would have been an issue, I would have told you no and we could have done something else. Honest. Now stop worrying and spend quality time with your boyfriend before you leave me again for hockey.” If I thought he was being serious, the smirk on his lips told me otherwise.
I playfully bumped his shoulder with mine. “I love hearing you call me your boyfriend.”
“More than me telling you how in love with you I am?”
My smile must have matched the sun. “Not more than I am with you.”
“Oh, so it’s a game now?” He reached out to tickle my side and I laughed.
That was when I heard it.
The sound that told me our privacy was being invaded.
The clicking of a camera.
My fist tightened as I turned. How dare someone interrupt this moment for us.
About ten feet from us was a guy taking our picture. He caught my stare and asked, “Devon, who’s this you’re spending time with? Is he your boyfriend?” At least he didn’t hear our conversation.
I could feel Lincoln stiffen beside me where his thigh pressed against mine and his fingers squeezed mine tightly. I was normally nice to reporters. I’d smile. Say a few words. Then get out of there. That wasn’t me today. I was pissed. Yes, I knew it was a possibility but the farther we went and saw no one, I was hoping we’d escape it.
With care, I let go of Lincoln’s hand and stood. He tried to pull me back, but I was moving too fast. I got right up to the reporter, but out of the sight of his lens. “I want the card.”
“What?” he asked.
“The pictures you took of me.”
“Not going to happen. You’re in a public place. Ask your teammates. This happens all the time.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
The guy shrugged. “Do you want to give me a quote or what?”
“How about go fuc—” I didn’t get the rest out before Lincoln was there pulling me back.
“Come on, Dev. Let’s go.”
I didn’t want to. I wanted to take the guy’s camera and smash it to pieces. Lincoln and I were enjoying our time together and this fucker had to ruin it. Why? Just because I played hockey didn’t mean I wanted my personal business everywhere. Yeah, I understood it happened. I was used to it, even though I hated it. Lincoln wasn’t.
That was when I finally turned my full attention back to him. We were already walking away from the reporter. I was so angry I didn’t notice the fast pace. And then I realized Lincoln’s limp was a little more pronounced.
“Let me get us a cab,” I told him.
“Don’t bother. We’re not far. I’ve walked longer and in much more pain than this.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to right now.”
“It’s fine, Devon.” I couldn’t tell if he was angry at me, the reporter, or what. And I hated it.
A deep pit formed in my stomach. I wanted to rewind time and leave the park before the reporter saw anything. I didn’t want to lose the memory of Lincoln, just the tainted part after.
It didn’t take us long to get to his building and ride the elevator up to his apartment. Thankfully, the reporter stayed in the park and didn’t tail us to ask more questions. He got enough from us with the photos.
Inside, Lincoln went to the fridge and grabbed two bottles of water, tossing one to me before downing his own. I didn’t know what to do. He was obviously upset.
I took a few swallows then put the bottle on the table and walked over to him. His body was still coiled tight when I reached him. I cupped the back of his neck and pressed our foreheads together.
“I’m sorry, Linc. I shouldn’t have—”
He cut me off. “Don’t. I don’t regret our day today. We knew it was a possibility to be seen.”
It felt like a hole was opening in my chest. What if this part of my life drove him away? It wasn’t easy and it certainly wasn’t for everyone.
I didn’t know what to say so instead I pressed a kiss to his cheek, then the corner of his mouth, finally to his lips. I felt him slowly relax.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “Let’s go lie in bed. I want to hold you.”
He nodded and we kicked off our shoes and climbed into bed. I immediately opened my arms and Lincoln laid on his side with his head on my chest. I loved him so much. I would do anything to see his smile return.