Chapter Eight
Beau
Ileaned against the doorframe of Cole’s room and watched as he spoke a mile a minute, Dean nodding his head as he listened.
Occasionally, Cole would stop to ask him a question, which Dean would answer, or vice versa.
Sometimes they would both laugh together, Cole blushing or shaking his head, the crush he had more than obvious.
It wasn’t that I was embarrassed or ashamed of my sexuality, I just didn’t want it to be something else Cole had to worry about.
I was already gone a lot from his life; on the road while he stayed here with his grandparents.
I didn’t want to have to worry about him getting bullied about me dating men on top of everything else he dealt with.
Not that he couldn’t handle himself. He was bigger than most of the kids in his class.
“Hi, Dad.” Cole caught me watching and flashed a smile.
I nodded. “Just wanted to make sure the two of you were getting a long all right.”
“We are,” Dean answered, and I swear the smile on my son’s face grew ten times wider. I had never seen him so happy.
Cole nodded. “Yeah, look! Dean signed my poster.” He pointed the silver signature right under where Dean stood between his brother and best friend.
“That’s an oldie of us. Look how pissed Killian looks. He’s happier now that he has Matty.” Dean grinned. “He doesn’t scowl quite so hard these days.”
Cole chuckled softly. “I, uh, I’m bisexual.”
His confession surprised me. I knew he had told a few people. Me, his grandparents, and his best friend, but admitting it to someone that who was a complete stranger was something I hadn’t expected.
“Really?” Dean clapped a hand on his shoulder. “That’s great, man. Me, too. I mean, I think I am. My brother is. I think. I don’t know. This whole figuring out my sexuality thing is kind of new to me, but right on.” He leaned forward. “Is it okay that I called you man?”
Cole’s cheeks burned pink. “Yeah, it’s cool.”
“Cool.” Dean glanced over at me, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my own face.
I wasn’t sure why I had been so worried about this. Dean was a pretty awesome guy, and even if I never came out publicly, and we weren’t officially ever a couple, I hoped we could remain friends.
“Well, I should head out.”
“Do you have to?” Cole asked. “I have a game tonight, and it would be really awesome if you came to watch. I’m sure Dad wouldn’t mind, right? Unless you have plans. Do you have plans? I don’t want to force you. Oh, do you like hockey? I didn’t even think about that.”
Oh boy. “Cole,” I warned, not wanting my son to come across as a little bit of a stage five clinger. I hadn’t realized my son had such a big crush on Dean.
“I do like hockey. I’ve been watching it since I was a kid with Jackson and all.
I would love to come to your game.” Dean grinned.
“I mean, I was just going to hang with my brother, and I’m sure he’d like a little privacy with his fiancé.
” He turned to look at me. “What do you say, Dad? You want some company tonight?”
Cole giggled and covered his mouth as that flush on his face grew even darker. This might be a problem. I didn’t want my son to get upset when he found out something was going on between Dean and me.
“I would love some company.”
We were going to have to talk about this flirting shit, too, because my dick was suddenly very into this conversation like it hadn’t had enough attention today.
“Maybe I can take the two of you out to dinner after?” Dean asked, and my son lit up even more at the suggestion. “I mean, if you’re not going out with your team.”
Cole looked at me. “It’s school night, so I don’t usually stay out too late.”
“Just this one time won’t hurt,” I assured him, because I knew how much this would mean to my son. And I kind of wanted to spend a little more time with Dean. And I always had a hard time saying no to Cole. Not that he was spoiled or anything, but, okay... Maybe he was a little spoiled.
DEAN WAS TRYING TO be very incognito at the hockey game.
He wore a baseball cap that he’d borrowed from Cole, but it didn’t do much to hide his white hair, and an oversized sweatshirt.
People hadn’t really noticed who he was since he had just posted the color change to his hair today, but it was probably only a matter of time before someone realized who he was.
Most of the team and student body were used to me showing up to the games when I was around, but I saw people watching him.
Trying to figure out who he was and why he looked familiar.
What would happen when they did? Would the mob him or leave him alone?
“I don’t want to cause a scene,” Dean said softly. “Usually, they see the green hair and it’s game over. I sort of wish I hadn’t posted a new picture yet.”
I squeezed his knee before I could stop myself. “It must be hard to get recognized all the time.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love being who I am, but sometimes I miss being able to go out and just buy a coffee without someone asking for an autograph. I love the fans—they’re great—but out of all of us, I’m the most recognizable. Killian and Mav are right behind me.”
I nodded. “And Blake?”
“He never gets recognized. He loves that. I mean, sure people know who he is, but he’s just Blake, you know?” Dean smiled at me and tugged the brim of his hat down further on his head. “I should dye my hair black. That would really confuse everyone. Or buzz it really short.”
I didn’t like that idea. “I liked it green, actually. And long. Like, long enough to pull it into a ponytail.”
“Or so you can tug on it?” He smirked as his cheeks heated.
I shrugged. “That, too.” I glanced onto the rink to find Cole on the ice, doing warmups with his teammates. He stopped and waved to us, and I was certain he blushed when Dean waved back.
“He’s a great kid.”
“I like to think so.”
Dean smiled. “Do you, uh, think he’d have a problem with you dating a man?
I mean, if you wanted. Not that you have to come out to him or that I’m trying to pressure you.
I just, you know, Cole said he was bi, and I’m obviously bi, too, and I like you.
And I would like to see where this thing is going between us.
But I know Cole is your first priority.”
“Dean.” I placed my hand on his thigh.
He nodded. “Right.” I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he kept his gaze pinned on the ice below. “Forget I said anything. It’s a stupid idea.”
“I like you,” I admitted. “I mean, obviously, I like you. And there’s clearly something there between us.
I’m just not sure I’m ready for anything more than a hookup right now.
” I hated the way that tasted on my tongue.
My stomach twisted into knots as the color of Dean’s emerald- green eyes lost their sparkle.
Shit. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.
” I really needed to stop talking. I was just digging myself a big hole.
He popped his jaw. “Friends. Right.”
“Look, I—”
“No, I get it. It was a way for you to get off and have fun,” Dean hissed. “This was probably a bad idea.” He shot to his feet. “Tell Cole I’m sorry and that I wasn’t feeling good.” He pushed past me and rushed down the stairs.
I watched Dean’s retreating figure as he disappeared through one of the doors. It was better this way. I shouldn’t get involved. Especially with someone as famous as Dean. Yet I found myself hurrying after him. I found him standing outside the rink, his back to me and his head in his hands.
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“You came onto me at the bar.” Dean shoved my hand away as he spun around. “I had no idea... I didn’t even know you were flirting! I thought you were just being nice and making conversation. Now I’m all confused about who I am, and all I can think about is you!”
I kissed him. Because I couldn’t stand to see Dean upset, and because he was so damn sexy at the same time.
Those big green eyes and those plump pink lips.
He melted against me like butter, his arms wrapping around me and his hands gripping the back of my shirt.
He whimpered into my mouth when our tongues slicked together, and when I pulled back, it took all I had not to toss Dean over my shoulder and find somewhere private.
To peel back all the layers of Dean Frost and watch him fall apart beneath me.
“We should go back inside.” I cupped his jaw with my hand. “If you still want that.”
Dean nodded. “Yes.”
We found our way back into the hockey arena just as the game started.
Dean seemed familiar enough with the game, cheering when Cole’s team scored a goal, but I was distracted by the sight of him.
The smile on his face, the sound of his voice when he laughed or leaned over to talk to me.
He caught me staring more than once, and his cheeks heated.
He was the most stunning man I had ever seen.
Strikingly similar to his brother, yet surprisingly different.
Before I knew it, the game was over, with Cole’s team winning, and I was trying to find an excuse to spend more time with Dean. I wasn’t sure how long he was going to be in Boston, and I was leaving for a few away games myself.
“Did you enjoy the game, Dean?” Cole asked as he came out of the locker room to join us, his curls damp from a shower.
Dean nodded. “Sure did. Not sure how you manage to skate that fast and not take a header on that ice, but you make it look so easy. I’d probably break my neck. Great job, by the way. Are we still good to grab something to eat?”
“Thanks.” Cole beamed happily. “Please, Dad? I’m starving.”
Dean clapped his hands. “I could go for a giant cheeseburger and fries. Maybe a shake. My treat.”
“It’s a school night, Cole.” I raised my brows, knowing I was already going to cave.
Cole sighed and rolled his eyes. “Dad.”
“Yeah, Dad,” Dean mimicked.
The little shit. “Fine, just this once.” But I leaned down when Cole wasn’t looking so that my lips were against Dean’s ear. “You’ll pay for that later, Pink.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Dean smirked.