Chapter 12
TWELVE
JULIAN
Reconnecting. How sweet. She didn’t fool me with the way she pranced in here on his arm, knowing full well there would be press stationed all around the event.
She was from Beacon Hill, which meant she was from money.
Back east money. I’d seen enough of her kind when I was in Cambridge, always glomming onto my straight friends in the hope they could find a wealthy Harvard graduate for a husband their father would approve of.
With a smirk, I asked, “I’ve heard you’ve made Alex some fabulous dinners.
” I might unleash my bitchy queen side on her.
Her eyes widened. “Why, yes. He’s letting me stay with him for free, so it’s the least I can do.
” With a smug grin, she sipped her drink.
“When he returned home from the last road trip, I even made a candlelit dinner with flowers.” She leaned across the table to touch Alex’s arm, resting by his flute.
“Oh, uh, yes, it was a friendly gesture.” A reddish hue filtered through Alex’s cheeks.
“Oh, really? He didn’t tell me that.” Why couldn’t he see her manipulations? Cutting my gaze to his, I said, “I wonder why you’d leave that out?”
With a smirk spreading across his lips, Mason shook his head. “Damn, dude, I’m clueless about this, but it’s some interesting shit.”
My attention shifted to Mason. He was perceptive. I’d have to tone this down in front of him. “Well, I’m sure it was lovely and Alex appreciated it.” I took a sip of my champagne.
“I did. It was nice to come home to.” Rocking once in his chair, Alex snuck a peek at me.
“Oh, maybe I’ll make it our routine. Every time you return home, I’ll have something special for you to look forward to.” She flashed me a quick smirk.
“Oh, that’s unnecessary.” Alex breathed in deeply. “I’m usually pretty tired when I get home.”
“But since I’m staying with you longer now, I owe you even more. Allow me to do this one little thing for you.” She gave him a charming smile. “You’re always so hungry when you get home, anyway. The food won’t go to waste.”
She was staying longer? Heat dashed through my chest. “How much longer are you staying with Alex?” I fisted my hand over my thigh and schooled my features. I’d learned many things tonight.
With a shrug, she said, “I don’t know, maybe a few extra weeks. I haven’t found an apartment I like yet.” She sipped her drink, her gaze landing on Alex. “Alex is coming with me this weekend to look at a few places. He’s been so generous with his time.”
“He has, huh?” Tilting my head, I peered at Alex, focusing on his flute while gripping the stem.
“Yeah, Volkov is like that—always generous with his time.” With a shake of his head, Mason sniggered.
I’d heard enough. Alex hadn’t quite told me everything. “Well, I should mingle.” Rising with my champagne, I said, “It was nice to meet you, Margot.” With a tip of my head to Jett and Mason, I strode toward the hallway leading to the restroom. I had to clear my head before I circled the room.
After shoving the door open on the marbled restroom and stomping inside, footsteps clapped behind me. Could I just have a few moments of peace?
“Julian.” Alex pushed on the fancy wooden stall doors, one by one, checking them for occupancy, and then backed me against the wall, his chest almost touching mine. “What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing, besides the fact you withheld a few things from me. I’m wondering why you would do that if it’s so innocent between you and Margot?” I glared into his ice-blue eyes. I wasn’t holding back.
“Number one, you and I have barely had any time together since we’ve been home.
And number two, I didn’t tell you about the damn candles and flowers because…
because I thought you’d get the wrong idea.
Which, clearly, you have.” His face softened as he inched closer to me.
“I’m not interested in her.” He pressed his lips against mine in a soft, but exploring kiss.
The ice around my heart melted, just a little. “What if she has her sights set on you? What if she’s looking at a second chance with you and marriage?” Didn’t he know what she was after?
“I…” Expelling a breath, he stepped away and turned around, combing his fingers through his hair. “I’ll have to let her down. We tried, and it didn’t work.” His gaze swung to mine. “I haven’t given her any sign that I’m interested in rekindling our relationship.”
I had to trust him and believe him. But for that, he had to be honest with me.
“Okay, then don’t omit details like that again.
” I bumped off the wall and stepped toward him, grabbing his hand.
“If you omit details, I’ll be more upset when they surface.
And they always surface.” I squeezed his hand, a memory hitting me hard.
Hadn’t Ian omitted things toward the end?
To spare my feelings, he’d let me believe he loved me long after he didn’t.
I’d sensed it, but he’d assured me my senses were wrong.
It only made the breakup worse and made me question myself on top of it.
In a soft voice, I said, “Where is this going, Alex?”
He slid his fingers up my cheek and into my hair around my ear, his brows wrinkling. “I wish I knew.” He pursed his lips. “But I can’t walk away.”
I brushed my cheek against his palm and kissed it. “Then don’t.” God, I was such a sucker for him. How had I let this happen?
“Let’s get through tonight. We’ll be back on the road soon enough.” He slid his hand to my nape and claimed me in a heated kiss. “I can’t wait to share a room with you again.”
My heart lifted as heat shivered across my body. As a smirk tugged at my lips, I said, “Maybe I’ll bring flowers and candles to our next rendezvous.”
“You do that.” His lips curled into a warm grin.
The door creaked as it opened.
With a startle, Alex sprang from me and rushed to the sink, turning on the water. “Anyway, that’s how I’d handle it.”
Handle what? Oh…My gaze flicked toward the door.
Mason strolled in. “I was wondering what happened to you two.” He promenaded across the marble floor, his dark hair gelled off his forehead and eyes almost as light blue as Alex’s.
Placing his hands on his hips, he stopped at Alex.
“Hey, your girlfriend is out there talking with Carter Mills from Arizona Sports. You might want to step out and correct a few things.” He threw me a knowing glance.
Had he caught on? He’d seen nothing concrete. I eyed Mason. “What did she say?”
“She mentioned she was living with Alex and what a wonderful man he was.” With a tilt of his head, Mason said, “When they asked her directly if they were together again, she told them…” In a higher voice as if mimicking her, he said, “No, but you never know what the future holds.” With a dreamy smile, he fluttered his eyes.
As his face and voice normalized, he said, “It’s a good thing Stephanie from Jessica’s team was there to tone it down. ”
“Oh, no…” As his jaw grew tight, Alex dried his hands on a paper towel. “I’ll handle this.” He glanced at me and then stomped out of the room.
With a tsk, Mason approached me. “Listen, I don’t know the specifics here, because Volkov has always struck me as straight.
But I know sexuality is fluid and, God damn, if you two don’t give off some vibes.
” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I want you to know, I went through something similar with Jett. He wasn’t out because of a family situation, and we kept things secret until we couldn’t anymore.
If you need someone to talk to, or someone to have your back, just say the word. ”
I stared at him, my eyes stinging as the weight of the situation hit me.
He’d been through something similar and would support us?
Maybe there was a path forward after all.
But could I confide in him? “Th-thank you, Mason.” I wouldn’t acknowledge nor deny it.
“You’re a little testy, but you have a good heart. ”
“You and I both, brother.” He chuckled.
With a smirk, I patted his hand, and then we walked out together. I’d have to review Mason’s history with Jett.
I’d stayed away from Alex and Margot the rest of the evening and assisted Jessica’s team with the silent auction after dinner had been served.
It appeared Stephanie had kept Margot occupied for the rest of the evening, anyway.
The two had chatted incessantly as if they were best friends.
When I’d gotten home, I’d looked up all the details I could find on Jett and Mason.
His previous team, Dallas, had bullied Jett for being gay, and he’d been hiding his sexuality for years.
When the Coyotes played Dallas, a fight broke out and Hopkins had exposed the truth.
To everyone. All at once. The man had some balls, and I thoroughly respected him for it.
He’d stood by Jett through everything, and now they were married.
No wonder Hopkins had been so nasty to me when he learned I’d questioned him playing with his husband.
The next morning, I hustled into the Ice Den, ready for whatever work Coach Henderson had for me and after some meetings, I strolled by the locker room, catching Alex post-shower, tossing his towel onto the bench and slipping his clothing on, his thick cock and rounded ass on full display.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Margot couldn’t have him.
He was mine. Leaning against the wall at the opening to the locker room, I texted Alex.
Julian
Meet me in my office when you’re done.
Hell, I had some free time. As my dick stirred, I watched him dress.
He glanced toward his phone in his cubby and then picked it up. With a coy grin, he tapped the screen.
My phone buzzed.
Alex
Be there in a few minutes.
That was all I needed to know. With a pep in my step, I waltzed down the corridor to my office and dropped into my chair. There had to be a way to secure this damn door. I scanned the room—the two extra chairs. I got it.