CHAPTER THIRTY #2
Graham immediately got sucked into conversation with someone else, then another person came up to congratulate him. For a while, he got passed around from person to person until he stood in front of his general manager.
His boyfriend’s brother. Fuck, that was kinda weird.
“Can we talk?” Gavin asked.
“Uhh, sure,” Graham said. He still wasn’t entirely sure what had happened out here between Gavin and Thad, but Gavin had come inside, told him congratulations on the relationship, and suggested he go out to be with Thad, so Graham assumed he was cool with them being together.
Still, it was a little stressful.
They stepped off to the side of the group of guys congregated around the firepit, and Gavin let out a big sigh.
“I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was unprofessional and I am ashamed I let my complicated relationship with Thad cloud my head. I never should have behaved that way and I am especially sorry I forced you to out yourself. That is unconscionable.”
Graham nodded, accepting the apology. “Thank you,” he said. “This wasn’t how I would have done it, really, but I guess it is a relief now that it’s over. For what it’s worth, if Thad and I hadn’t been worried about your reaction, we would have come out sooner.”
Gavin nodded. “I’m glad, but still. Coming out about your sexuality and the relationship should have been on your terms.”
“Thank you.” Graham swallowed. “Can you help me understand why you were so pissed though?”
“There’s some context for our relationship that Thad will have to give you when he’s ready,” Gavin said. “But in short, I was worried about both of you. I—mistakenly—thought Thad was screwing around with you. And I was pissed he was behaving irresponsibly and worried he’d break your heart.”
“I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’m a big boy,” Graham said.
“I can handle myself. And give your brother some credit. He’s a smart, talented man and he takes this job seriously.
He takes our relationship seriously. So whatever ideas you’ve previously had about who he is, maybe you need to get to know the man he is now.
Because I think you’ll be surprised. And impressed. ”
He closed his mouth before he crossed the line and said something rude.
Gavin nodded. “Yes. I think you’re right. Thank you for reminding me.”
“Uhh, you’re welcome.”
Graham was still slightly in shock as Gavin excused himself, joined Dakota, and together they left the party.
Graham got dragged into conversation with someone else on the team and for the next little while everything was a blur of congratulations, drinks, and being hugged by every single one of his teammates.
Even Crawford. “Uhh, congrats on the rainbow status, or whatever,” he said, leaning in and thumping Graham on the back.
Graham choked and managed a half-hearted hug. “What?”
Crawford scowled as he drew back. “Well, I don’t fuckin’ know what to say when this shit happens. But Thad seems like a good dude. Hope you’re happy together.”
“Uh, thanks,” Graham said, oddly touched by the gruff well wishes.
He was pretty convinced the Harriers were the weirdest fucking team in the NHL. He was also really fucking grateful he was on a team like this.
Weird or not, they were good dudes. Every single one of them. Even Crawford.
Maybe.
A moment later, Graham felt arms settle around his waist and a familiar scent teased at his nose. He sagged back against Thad with a relieved sigh. “Hey there.”
“Hey.” Thad briefly pressed his lips to his shoulder. “How you doing?”
“Pretty good,” Graham said. “Kinda drunk. One-hundred-percent sure I’m gonna have a fucking hangover tomorrow.”
“I’ll make sure you get lots of electrolytes and a greasy breakfast.”
“Fuck, I love you.”
“I love you too.” It sounded like Thad was smiling. “So, I’ve gotta admit, it’s pretty nice we can do this in public now.”
“Yeah. It is.” Graham turned in his arms, dislodging Thad’s grip, but he quickly pulled him close again.
Possibly because neither of them were really dressed for standing outside on a freezing cold night like this.
“Uhh, can we move closer to the fire though?” Graham asked. “I’m turning into a fucking icicle.”
Thad smiled. “Sure, baby.”
They did a funny little sideways shuffle closer to the fire, nearly knocking down a box of graham crackers Thad reached down to catch in time.
“So, we did it,” Graham said, looking at Thad’s face once he’d straightened. “We’re out as a couple. And I’m out. And Gavin knows. And no one got fired.”
Thad made a face. “I’m still pissed he outed you. Outed us, that way. I told him he owes you an apology.”
“He already apologized and it was sincere.”
“Good.”
“Honestly, I’m not mad though,” Graham admitted, fiddling with the medallion that attached Thad’s cloak to his armor.
“No?”
“Nah. I mean, I feel like if this hadn’t happened, we both might have dragged it out. Worried about how it would go over and this way it’s … over and done with, you know?”
“Even if I’d gotten fired, I would have stayed in Boston.”
“Yeah?” Graham focused on Thad’s eyes again.
“Yeah. I finally have some anchor points now,” he said gruffly. “I’m done running. I’ve got important things to stay here for.”
Graham threaded his hand through Thad’s soft hair, then leaned in to kiss him, letting it linger. “Good,” he said when he finally drew back. “Because I want you here too.”
Thad smiled.
“Hey, where are the fucking graham crackers?” Tanner called out. “I need to make me another s’more.”
Graham sighed. Fuck, they really needed to be alone.
“Right here,” he said, letting go of Thad long enough to grab the package on the ledge of the firepit. He tossed it across the flames to Tanner, who caught it with a grin.
“Thanks for the graham crackers, G-man,” he called back. He cackled. “Oohh, buddy, I have a nickname for you now.”
“Ugh,” Graham said. This could be very bad. “What?”
“S’mores!” Tanner grinned, his smile blinding. “I’m totally calling you that from now on.”
Graham made a face. He didn’t hate it. It was way better than cracker. “If you must.”
Tanner cheered.
Thad chuckled, the vibration of it something Graham could feel against his own chest. “You are pretty sweet,” he said in Graham’s ear. “And you melt when I touch you …”
Graham turned his head, their lips brushing. “I still like it better when you call me your dirty boy.”
“Oh, trust me. That can be arranged.”
“Like now?” Graham said. “Because our earlier fun got interrupted. Well, mine did anyway. You had quite the orgasm.”
Thad made a face. “It was something, I guess. I thought it was bad when we were talking about my brother when I was naked but having him bust in on us mid-nut was …” He shuddered. “I’m gonna need years of therapy to deal with that one.”
Graham chuckled. He could only imagine. “But you two are good now?”
“Yeah,” Thad said. “I think we are. I mean, we have a lot of fucking work to do. Tonight didn’t magically make that go away. But I think it’s the closest we’ve gotten in years to a real fresh start.”
“Good.” Graham squeezed him tighter. “Now, how about you take me home?”
“Well, about that. I drove here, but it was stupid because I probably shouldn’t drive now.” He nodded toward the tray of empty shot glasses.
Graham shrugged. “So, we’ll take a ride share to my place and pick up the car in the morning …” He grimaced when he remembered something. “Oh, but then you’ll probably want to go home and sleep at your place, right?”
“Yeah.” Thad scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’d love to think I’ll be able to sleep at your apartment tonight now that we got everything out in the open, but I don’t know that it was really the problem and …”
“No, I get it. So, let’s sleep at your place tonight. See if that works for us,” Graham offered.
“You don’t mind?”
“Nah.”
“What about Murphy?”
“Murphy is watching classic Halloween horror movies with Mrs. Glass. I knew it would be a late night for me, so I asked her to keep him at her place overnight. I don’t need to pick him up until early afternoon.”
“Perfect.” Thad grinned and reached down, squeezing his ass. “Let’s go, baby.”
Mixed cheers and boos followed their exit, guys calling out various levels of congratulations and lewd suggestions about what they were going to get up to.
The bar was empty when they stepped inside, except for Liam and several of his employees who were cleaning up.
“Thanks for a great party,” Thad called out.
Liam gave him a small smile. “Happy Halloween.”
On the street, Graham requested a ride as Thad rubbed his palms up and down Graham’s bare arms.
“I wish I had my jacket to put around you tonight.”
Graham craned his neck, giving Thad a smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You looked good in it. And it kept you warm.”
Graham let himself put some of his weight against Thad’s chest. “That’s okay. I know you’ve got me.”
“I do,” Thad whispered. “And I always will.”