Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Since my arrival in Washington, Eric has crafted the perfect vacation out of thin air, allowing me to sit back and go with the flow.
As Eric promised, he takes charge of our plans, making sure each day is filled with some type of activity.
He makes a point of getting me out of the house, whether to spend the day visiting interesting sites around Seattle or physical recreation.
In the background, Eric handles the logistics of our upcoming camping trip, everything from deciding what food we’ll bring to the gear we need to which park we’ll be spending a week in with his trailer.
On paper, it sounds like so much to prepare on such short notice, but Eric makes planning look easy and enjoyable.
The day before our trip, Eric takes me to the outdoor mall in downtown Seattle to walk around, window shop, and hang out. Each store bustles with life and activity, but the centerpiece of the mall is the gigantic, multi-floor bookstore—a book lover’s paradise.
Inside, Eric and I split up, going our separate ways to browse the shelves. Eric’s lost to the cookbooks, and I’m drawn to the fantasy section.
When I was a teenager, I used to beg my parents to drive me to our local bookstore so I could discover something new to read.
They would wander around the store while I browsed the stacks.
Sometime later, they would discover me seated on the floor in front of a shelf, nose buried in a new book.
They would be ready to get going, and I’d have to make a choice: buy the book or leave it behind.
More often than not, I spent my allowance so I could finish the book.
My love for books hasn’t faded as I’ve grown older, even if my free time isn’t as much as I’d prefer during the regular season. Summer’s different, and Eric suggested bringing a couple of books on the trip. Unfortunately, my favorite author’s new book won’t be out until later this year.
The fantasy genre has blown up since I was a kid, if the amount of space the bookstore devotes to new releases is anything to go by.
I recognize a few of the authors from past reads, but there are so many new ones offering something for everyone.
I pick up a few books from the display, intrigued enough by the covers to turn them over to scan the summary and see if anything catches my eye.
“James?”
Upon hearing my name, I tear away from the book in my hand to discover a familiar face checking out the display beside me: Braydan Beaumont, dressed in regular clothes, sporting the same dirty blonde hair, if a few inches shorter than during the playoffs.
I’m surprised to have run into him. He must spend the summer in Seattle like Eric rather than go elsewhere.
“Hi,” I answer with a small, awkward wave. “Good to see you.”
“Eric mentioned he invited you to Seattle for the summer.” He scratches his beard. “How long are you planning on staying?”
“I’m not sure.” I rub the back of my neck. “Honestly, this trip was pretty spontaneous. He called after, well, you know…”
Braydan nods, understanding my meaning. “What happened was pretty messed up. You didn’t deserve any of that. I’m glad you could get away.” He places a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. “Besides, spontaneity’s the spice of life. Nothing wrong with a little vacation.”
He glances around the bookstore, looking for a similarly sized goaltender out in the wild. “So I take it he’s here with you?”
“Yeah. He’s checking out the cookbooks.”
“I could’ve bet money on that.” He grins. “I’m sure he’s been showing you around the area. How are you liking it so far?”
“Definitely different from Chicago,” I smile, “but in a good way.”
“I imagine. Have you been camping yet?”
I laugh sheepishly. “We’re leaving tomorrow, actually.”
Braydan’s brows rise in surprise. “Huh. No kidding. The Devil works fast, but Eric works faster during camping season, I guess. You two tent camping or heading out with his trailer?”
“The trailer.”
“You’re in for a treat then. The trailer’s comfortable.”
Braydan and Eric are best friends, so no doubt Braydan has extensive camping experience with him.
“I’m excited to go, but I hope I didn’t disrupt any plans he’d made with you.”
“Not at all. I hope you guys have a great time.” He glances at the display and gestures with a tilt of the head. “Looking for books for the trip?”
“Eric said I should take a few to read while lounging around the campsite.”
“Sorry, can’t help you there. I don’t read fantasy.”
With a reputation for being heavy on worldbuilding, the genre’s not for everyone.
“What do you prefer?” I ask.
“Mostly magazines or sports columns, but really only during the season to wind down. Too much to do during the summer.”
A “similarly sized goaltender” appears behind Braydan, draping an arm around him.
“O captain, my captain,” Eric cuts in with faux-dramatic flair, “what are you doing in a bookstore? Does Kaori know you’re here?”
Eric carries a store bag, having already purchased something while we were apart.
“As I just told James, I do read.”
“Uh huh.”
“And she’s here with me. I left her over in the travel section.”
“You two planning a trip this summer?”
“We’re thinking about one. Depends on if her folks are visiting or not.” Braydan glances back at me. “I’m more curious about this trip you’ve planned with James, here.”
“It’s pretty straightforward. He’s never gone camping.”
Braydan covers his mouth in shock. “You’ve never gone camping?!”
I shake my head. “Not unless you count day trips to Walden Pond as a kid.”
Braydan snickers. “Not quite.” He gestures to the nearby display.
“You should definitely grab something new then. I bet reading fantasy out in the wilderness would make the experience much more immersive. Plus, you’ll need something to break up all the hiking this guy’ll make you do while you’re supposed to be on vacation. ”
Braydan and I share a laugh while Eric pretends to be offended.
“I didn’t make you go hiking with me. You chose to come along.” He shakes his head. “Besides, I’m taking James to the lake.”
Eric glances down at his watch and then asks, “We were going to get lunch at the seafood place down the street. You and Kaori want to come?”
Braydan perks up at the thought of food. “Of course! I’ll go find her. We’ll meet you there in twenty or so?”
“Sounds good. See you both then.”
Braydan leaves to find his wife, and Eric turns to me and gestures to the book display.
“Were you able to find something?” he asks.
“Not yet, but it’s fine. I don’t want to take too long if we’re going to meet them.” I glance down at the bag Eric’s carrying. “Did you find something for yourself?”
“It’s for you, actually. I’m still finishing up the book you recommended.”
“Oh, really? Thanks!”
“Have you read this?”
Eric fishes into the bag and retrieves a thick hardback book with a golden dragon on the cover. I’ve heard of this author in the fantasy genre, but I’ve never had a chance to start one of their series.
“The summary sounded like something up your alley.”
Curious, I read the inside cover’s blurb to discover the book is about dragons who live amongst mortals and are able to manipulate temporal magic.
When I check out the back cover, however, I’m surprised to discover the author labels themself as a queer fantasy-romance writer.
Is that just a coincidence? Did Eric notice that when he picked up the book?
Since he’s read the other book series by my favorite author, does he know I enjoy reading fantasy-romance books which happen to have gay characters?
Or maybe I’m overthinking it, and Eric just picked a book with an interesting cover while browsing online.
“So? What do you think?”
“It—It sounds interesting. I’ll give it a try.” I clutch the book to my chest and smile at Eric. “Thanks.”
Whatever the reason behind his choice, what matters is that Eric was kind enough to think of me.
When Eric said we would be having lunch at a seafood restaurant, I expected the usual: nautical theming and a tank full of lobsters hoping they wouldn’t become dinner.
To my surprise, the restaurant has a unique theme based on a famous rom-com set in Seattle.
The restaurant’s walls are full of replica props, pictures, and quirky seafood entrées and cocktail names referencing the movie.
I’ve never seen the film, but a quick explanation from Eric clues me in on the film’s premise: a love story between a Seattle fishmonger and the professional chef who buys his fresh fish.
Can’t get any more Seattle coded than that.
Braydan and his wife Kaori are already seated and waiting for us by the time we arrive.
Kaori’s a petite, fashionable woman with long black hair and light brown eyes.
She sits across from her husband and stands to greet both Eric and I.
She hugs Eric, but I’m surprised when she also offers me a polite hug.
“So you’re the goalie I’ve heard so much about,” Kaori says with a small smile.
I can’t imagine what Braydan and Eric have shared, but no doubt Kaori’s already a little familiar with me if she watched her husband’s games during the playoffs.
“Hopefully good things?” I ask with a nervous chuckle. I am, after all, the goalie who was on the team that knocked the Seadogs out of the playoffs.
“Of course. I’m told you’re very talented at what you do.”
“I try my best.”
My stomach loudly growls, and I blush and stammer an apology, causing Kaori to laugh.
“You’re fine. I’m used to an athlete’s appetite. You’ll love the food here.”
Eric and I join the couple at the booth situated by large windows with a clear view of Elliott Bay on a bright, sunny day. The waterfront hustles with business, including private ships and ferries crossing the body of water.