Chapter 18 #2
Hunter places his hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze.
Tilting my head up to him, I whisper, “Thank you.”
He winks. “Anything for you.”
“He hates me,” Hunter grumbles from where he’s sitting behind me on the couch.
I’m leaning back against his side, and Boomer lies between my legs, his head resting on my stomach. He hasn’t taken his big brown eyes off Hunter since he sat down and kissed the top of my head.
This is the first night of three that Boomer’s staying with us. It’s nearing the end of the break, so I’ll take him back with me when I go to the rink for the first practice back.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he does,” he argues. He goes to kiss my head again like he did five minutes ago, and Boomer lets out a low, rumbling growl.
“Okay, so maybe he doesn’t like you right now, but he doesn’t hate you.” I take Boomer’s head between my hands and smush his face and put on the cutesy dog voice. “You don’t hate Hunter, do you? You’re just protective over your favorite person.”
“Well, I’m pretty protective of my favorite person too,” Hunter mumbles. “Who knew I’d get jealous over a dog.”
Grinning, I twist to look at him. “Aw. You’re jealous?”
“Mhm.” He scrubs his face, then rests his arm across the back of the couch. “I might have to put a hard limit on him sleeping on the bed though. He’s not claiming that space next to you. It’s mine.”
I press my lips together, trying to hold back my laugh. “Lucky for you, he prefers to sleep in his crate.”
“Thank fuck for that.” His adorable frown has my laughter slipping free.
“You’re so fucking cute,” I tell him.
He cups my chin in his palm and presses a quick kiss to my lips. Boomer’s head vibrates on my stomach with another growl, and I giggle.
Pressing my chin to my chest, I look down at him. “Boomer, you need to make friends with Hunter so we can have more sleepovers.” I gently stroke over his head. “We can have epic cuddle naps together.”
His big brown eyes assess me, then move to Hunter. He seems to contemplate him for a moment before rolling onto his back between my legs, exposing his belly.
“Well, maybe that’s a good sign?” I say to Hunter, reaching down to rub Boomer’s belly before letting out a sigh. “I wish I could keep him.”
Hunter cards his fingers through my hair, using the opportunity of Boomer being upside down to kiss the top of my head. “One day.”
“Yeah?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Yeah. One day, we can have a Boomer, if we’re not allowed him, and we can have some more. We’d need to get a house with a yard, though, because it’ll be a pain in the ass when they need to go out here.”
I aim a teasing grin his way. “We’re buying a house?”
He flicks my nose with his finger. “Not yet. In the future.”
My heart skips in my chest. He’s thinking about our future together? “Should I buy us matching towels?”
He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head.
“We could get some gnomes for the yard,” I suggest.
Resting his head against his bicep, he brushes my hair from my face, then traces my lips with his finger. “How about we get a set of mushroom gnomes?”
My smile doubles in size. “Someone might think you’re falling in love with me with a promise like that.”
He dips his head and slides his mouth over mine. “Then that someone would be correct,” he murmurs, sealing the promise with a kiss. “If only I could get the damn dog to like me.”
A few days later, I park my car on the street outside Ethan and Jacob’s house and kill the engine.
Ethan used to live in a big penthouse downtown, but after he met Jacob, he moved into what was Jacob’s grandparents’ home.
It’s cute. All warm and homely with flower boxes on the porch.
There aren’t as many flowers as there usually are, but that’s okay because sometimes they smell so strong it gets in my nose.
I texted Ethan as I was leaving the rink because Hunter’s back at work, and I didn’t want to sit at home on my own.
Plus, there’s been something playing on my mind, and I don’t think Blaine is the right person to ask about it.
His brand of love with Alex is different from mine and Hunter’s.
Blaine goes all out. When he proposed, he had a dozen roses delivered to the arena.
Candles lined a red carpet that led to the penalty box, where they first met.
It was this big thing. Incredibly romantic.
But I don’t think Hunter and I have that type of big love.
Ethan, on the other hand, loves quietly and is the reason why I’m coming to him for advice on my dilemma.
I walk up the short path, waving at the fishing gnome I got for them as a gift one year. I named him Geoff, but I don’t think they use his name. Maybe I should get him a friend so he doesn’t get lonely.
Taking the few steps onto the porch, I knock on the door and stroke one of the flower petals while I wait. It’s so soft, it feels like velvet.
A moment later, the door opens.
“Hey, Elliot, come on in,” Ethan says, opening the door wider, and I step inside.
I’m instantly greeted by the smell of cooking. Sticking my nose in the air, I take in a few quick sniffs. “Ohh, what’s Jacob been making?”
“Bread.”
My stomach chooses that moment to grumble, and Ethan arches a brow. His unspoken question is one I know all too well.
“Yes, I remembered to eat lunch,” I drawl. “I ate before I left the rink, but the bread smells really good.”
He nods, seeming pleased with my answer. I kick off my shoes and follow him into the living room. He has highlights from last night’s game on TV and a notebook full of scribbles on the coffee table. I pick it up as I drop onto the couch, trying to decipher what it says.
“You still make these notes?” I ask, holding up his notebook. It’s full of plays. He used to do it while he was playing, and he would run through with us where we could make improvements. I didn’t know he was still doing it now he’s retired.
“It’s hard to break a habit I’ve had for longer than you’ve been alive,” he grumbles.
“Okay, old man,” I snicker.
He knows I’m only teasing, but he gives me a droll look anyway.
“How’s your knee? Have you been cleared to play yet?”
“Yep, I’ll probably be starting tomorrow. But it’s good. I’m just super conscious of it now, though. I was lucky it was only a minor sprain. If it was a tear, I’d probably be out for the season.”
I’ve been back on the ice for a week now, and they’ve been pleased with my progress. Rehab has been smooth, and I’ve been good at doing all my exercises and keeping on top of my visits with Greg.
After I wrapped up with practice this morning, I saw Greg to check my knee, and he gave me the all clear to play.
He hums, knowing firsthand how an ACL injury can hinder the season. He had knee replacement surgery a couple of months ago too.
“So, um… I was kinda wondering if I could ask you some advice,” I ask, feeling awkward.
“Sure. What’s up?”
I take a second to organize the thoughts running rampant in my brain when Jacob’s voice echoes through the door.
“Oh my god, Ethan, I’ve read the most amazing book and—oh! Hi, Elliot.” He beams when he spots me. He walks over to Ethan and slides into the spot next to him on the couch. Ethan’s arm automatically wraps around his husband’s shoulders, pulling him close enough to press a kiss to his temple.
“Will you tell me about your book later, baby?” Ethan murmurs.
“Yes, I will.” Jacob smiles up at him and kisses him.
“Gah! You two.” I fall back into the couch cushions and cover my eyes with my hands. “So fucking cute.”
Jacob chuckles. “How are you? Alex told me he went for dinner with you and Hunter.” His blue eyes are sparkling when I drop my hands into my lap. “He mentioned Hunter seems pretty smitten with you.”
My smile is automatic whenever someone mentions Hunter.
“I think I’m in love with him,” I blurt.
“Yay!” Jacob claps his hands excitedly. “This is so exciting!”
Ethan remains stoic. Forever the grumpy bear.
“He took me to feed the otters the other day.”
Jacob’s face lights up. “Oh, wow, I bet you were in heaven.”
“It was the best day of my life,” I admit, smiling at the memory. I was high on life for the rest of the day. “So… um,” I begin, twisting my hands into the pocket of my hoodie. I pull slightly on the fabric so the collar comes away from my neck. “I was hoping to get some advice.”
“Of course. Anything,” Jacob answers.
“So, you know it’s Valentine’s Day soon, and, well, I don’t know what to do for it.
” I tug my lip between my teeth, trying to resist fidgeting as I begin to feel restless.
“He’s widowed. He lost his husband six years ago, and he hasn’t been with anyone since.
So I kinda want to make it nice for him, you know?
Without it looking like I’m trying to replace his husband,” I tell them, then quickly add, “Because I’m not. ”
“Oh, wow, that’s so sad,” Jacob frowns. “But I don’t think Hunter will see it like that, though. Have you spoken to him about his husband?”
I nod, giving in to the urge to bring my feet up onto the couch.
I avoid their watchful gaze by poking at the pattern on my socks.
“He told me about him, and he’s shared some stories about him.
I don’t feel like I’m replacing him, but I was thinking, like, just because his husband isn’t alive anymore doesn’t mean their love shouldn’t be celebrated.
Their love was special, and I want Hunter to know I accept that a part of him will always love his husband, you know? ”
There’s silence, and eventually, I turn my head to see Jacob wiping his eyes. My feet start to go numb, so I tuck them underneath me.
“What? Is that a bad idea?” I ask quickly. Did I get it all wrong?
He shakes his head and sniffs. “No, Elliot, it’s not a bad idea at all. It’s an incredibly lovely thought, and while I don’t know Hunter, I’m pretty sure he will be deeply touched by the gesture.”
Ethan nods. “I agree. It can be daunting letting someone in after a loss, so knowing the other person understands and accepts you for who you are, baggage and all, it means a lot.” He tightens his arm around Jacob’s shoulders, and Jacob wipes his eyes again as he smiles at Ethan.
“So you think I should do it?”
They both nod. “Yes.”
“But what could I do?”
Jacob hums thoughtfully, tapping his finger against his thigh as he thinks. “What about a single rose? I assume he isn’t a bouquet-of-flowers kind of guy, but a single rose could signify his husband.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. It’s small enough that it doesn’t overtake the night being about the two of you, but still big enough to be meaningful,” Ethan adds.
“Okay,” I say, feeling lighter than I did before. “I can do that.”
“Aw, I’m so excited for you, Elliot. I’ve been so hopeful for you to meet someone nice.” Jacob smiles. “Will you stay for lunch and tell me about him?”
“Can we eat the bread you made?” I ask.
“Of course. I’ve got muffins in the kitchen too.”
I sit up a little straighter. “Lemon and poppyseed?”
“Yep,” Jacob grins, then pats Ethan’s thigh. “E, will you be a darling and—”
“Yep, I’ll go make the coffee,” Ethan finishes. He gives him a kiss before getting up from the couch and disappearing into the kitchen.
Jacob scoots across the couch, his blue eyes bright with glee. “So, tell me everything about Hunter.”
With a wide smile, I settle back into the cushions and tell him about the man who is becoming my entire world.