Epilogue
Ben
Two Years Later
“That’s great, Lexi! Point your toes!”
“She has blossomed with you, Ben, truly. It’s been such a transformation for her.”
Jacob speaks softly next to me, and I can only smile as the lump builds in my throat. After meeting Jacob two years ago and teaching a free yoga class every two weeks at his LGBTQ+ youth shelter, the circus camp just evolved.
With multiple conversations, grant applications, and help from a few new friends, I wasn’t the only one living a dream. Kids like Lexi were developing new confidence and finding themselves in a way they couldn’t before.
“She’s been wonderful. I’m so proud of what she’s done.”
Jacob tilts his head to the side, where Lukas stands with Blaze and Austin, two of the three owners of the Bloomburg Aspens.
Working lunches have become the norm since I started this side quest of a circus summer camp and local circus production.
This time, Lukas joins us at the request of Austin, and I can only hope the invitation means what I think it means.
“You ready for the next step?” Jacob asks, and I reach to squeeze his hand.
Friends like Jacob would have helped so much when I was a kid.
Meeting him now and getting to know him and his family has been nothing short of life-changing.
Paired with meeting the love of my life, I’d never have guessed moving back to my hometown would change my life in unfathomable ways.
“No, but I will be. Thanks to you.”
He squeezes my hand back before releasing it. “This is all your doing, and you should be proud.”
When we meet the three men after Lexi finishes her routine, I greet them with handshakes. Except Lukas. He gets a kiss and a hug that I hold a beat too long. He sneaks a quick kiss to my temple before releasing me, and we share a hopeful glance.
“It’s a gorgeous day outside. I hope you don’t mind an informal lunch at Dogwood Pond,” Austin says as we exit my studio.
My newer and larger studio that I secured thanks to Blaze’s help with guiding me through government programs and grants.
He also signed on to assist with the circus show when we were ready to bring it to the public.
We aren’t there yet, but soon.
“I think outside is a lovely idea,” I say as Lukas takes my hand and we walk the few blocks down to Dogwood Pond, the town’s waterfront that’s popular for everything from weddings to outdoor festivals and a walk to watch the ducks along the boardwalk.
Recently, the town erected a new covered pavilion, and Blaze’s husband made the picnic tables and chairs that sit beneath it. He’s an amazing carpenter, and one day I know I’ll commission him to build something when Lukas and I finally have a bigger space.
Jacob passes out white cardboard lunch boxes with individual charcuterie arrangements inside after we sit at one of the tables.
“First, I’d like to get to the hockey stuff if you don’t mind,” Austin says as he pops a piece of cheese in his mouth.
“Please.” Lukas laughs. “I’m dying to know the decision.”
Austin nods. “I know, and I’m sorry it took so long, but we wanted to be sure this was a good fit for the team.
” He pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it to Lukas.
Blaze produces a pen with a flourish. “We agree to the contract provisions as discussed. We’d like you to accept the position of assistant coach with the Bloomburg Aspens. ”
Lukas retired from playing the year I was the first Slappy mascot for the team. When the assistant coach stepped down for personal reasons, Lukas immediately asked if he could fill in. He went through a process, of course, but he’s been on an interim basis. Until now.
He opens the envelope and signs the acceptance letter before standing and shaking their hands properly. My man is beyond happy, and I know how badly he wanted this.
“Thank you so much,” Lukas says as he returns to his seat. “I’m so excited to still be a part of this team and this town. We love it here, and I’m looking forward to the new season. We’ll get a championship here. I know it.”
Lukas’s final year as a player ended with a loss in the conference finals. It was a hard pill for him to swallow after having so much confidence in the team all year. Knowing he wouldn’t likely return made it even harder to accept he’d never hoist the trophy as a player.
I don’t doubt that he’ll make this team a winner. He’s an amazing coach. I don’t play, but I watch him with the players and even at home. Lukas has such a gentle way about him, but people listen, and that’s what matters.
“Now we can get to the good stuff.” Blaze laughs.
“You’re just a giant kid,” Jacob teases.
“I won’t deny that. But listen, Ben, you and I have talked a great deal about your business plan for the circus show, but what we haven’t talked about enough is the not-for-profit part.”
Nodding, I agree as I layer a piece of salami on a cracker.
“Right. After the grants to help with the space and hire an extra instructor for the summer, I’m not sure how to go about the rest. I want to keep the summer camps and classes going for youth who need them. I just can’t do it without help.”
“Not-for-profit fundraising can be very difficult,” Jacob starts. “Initially, it’s a daunting task, but I’ll help you along the way.”
“We both will,” Blaze adds, and I glance between them.
“You both have a lot on your plates now. I appreciate the offer, and when it suits your schedule, I’ll make it work.”
Blaze clears his throat. “Well, I hope it works on Thursday because that’s when I made an appointment at my bank and have a cheque for you.
” Blaze pushes the carrots out of the way and finds the cashews in his box.
“Fundraisin’ takes time, and these kids need what you’re providin’ now.
My lawyer has all the documents ready, and if you agree to have me on your board, I’ll donate enough to keep it runnin’ until you and Jake dream of ways to keep the bank account full. ”
“Oh wow. Ah…okay…so this is happening?” My voice wavers, and I don’t even care.
The past two years, working with these kids through yoga and circus acts, have filled a hole in my life I didn’t know I had.
I was concerned about the future of what I’ve built, and now it seems I don’t need to be.
“That’s so incredibly kind of you, and I might actually cry. ”
Lukas rubs my back, and I jump up. “Fuck it. I’m hugging you, Blaze.”
Rounding the table, I meet him as he stands with a smile and submits to my hug. “I like hugs, you know, and I’m happy to help.”
We return to our seats, smiles and laughs all around. We talk about the business, Lukas’s coaching, and even me training several new Slappy mascots as part of the circus experience. My heart is so full by the time we all go our separate ways, I nearly burst.
“Do you have time for a short drive?” Lukas asks when we make it back to the studio.
“Let me check on the kids and see if Harley needs any help first. Then I’m all yours.”
Lukas
Ben has always been one to give of himself. I learned that quickly when we first met. Sure, he was all sex all the time, and so was I, but he always surprised me.
From sleeping on the couch when he had a cold, so I’d still get a good sleep when I was playing, to learning how to cook a few dishes for when I came home from road trips, even when he hates cooking, was something I loved about him.
He always thinks of me first, even when he won’t admit it.
Pulling up outside a small home with a for sale sign on the lawn, I kill the engine and motion to it. “I want to show you something.”
“In someone’s house?”
I shrug. “Yeah. Humour me.”
He just unbuckles with a grin and meets me on the sidewalk. The real estate agent is still inside, scrolling on a phone while leaning on the kitchen counter.
“Lukas! This must be Ben.” He shakes my hand before heading to the front door. “I’ll wait outside until you’re done.”
Ben raises an eyebrow as he looks around the kitchen. “So…usually when you go to an open house, you get to raid the snacks. I don’t see snacks, Lukas.”
Laughing, I pull him by the hand to the raised part of the house where the bedrooms are. “This is the primary bedroom. Look at the view of the backyard.”
Ben steps to the window, and his fingers drift to the glass. “They have a trampoline,” he whispers.
“They do. There’s a second bedroom down the hall. Two bathrooms, and the living room has patio doors to the deck. But this is what I really wanted to show you.”
Ben follows me to the enormous bathroom between the bedrooms. Inside the bathroom is a separate laundry area with a full-size washer and dryer. He laughs softly as he trails his fingers across the washing machine.
“Full size. A lot of surface area.” He peers closer at the settings. “It has an extended spin cycle.” He turns around to meet my gaze, and for a moment, I think maybe I’ve made a mistake. Ben looks around the room and blinks before asking softly, “Why did you bring me here, Lukas?”
“To ask if you could see us living here.” I’d mentioned buying a house before, but with all the moving when I was a player and nobody to come home to, I never bought one. Apartments kept life simple, but I’d always wished for a place of my own.
Ben gives me a reason to stay here and make ourselves permanent.
His work with Jacob at the shelter has already ingrained him in the town.
This is what he lives for. He’s found his place here.
It took me a little longer waiting for a permanent offer from the team, but it’s time to keep building the future I want. To build a life with Ben.
Tears brim in his eyes before falling down his cheeks.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I thought this would make you happy.” My thumbs wipe at his cheeks, and he laughs.
“I am. These are happy tears. I promise. It’s just…not that long ago I lost my job and was living on my best friend’s couch.” He sniffles. “It has a trampoline.”
“I asked if they would leave it with the house, and they said yes.”
Ben sucks in a sharp breath. “Is this our house already?”
“If you want it to be. I made a conditional offer and have forty-eight hours.”
A bubble of laughter escapes his lips. “Be honest, you just want to bang me on a full-size washing machine.” Ben grins at me, and I feel the heat rise in my neck.
“I may have found a site that talks about…situations with appliances.”
He cups my cheeks before kissing me. “My favourite situations are you with appliances. I think the place is perfect.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t want to see the rest of it?”
“Is this where you’ll keep your stuff? Park your car? Eat your meals?” I nod. “Then it’s perfect. You’re here, and that’s all I need.”
“I love you, Ben.”
He rubs his nose against mine. “I love you too, Lukas. Now let’s go test that trampoline. Can it be called an appliance?”
Ben walks out of the room, leaving me standing with my mouth open.
“You can add it to the list!” he calls as he walks downstairs.
Laughing, I shake my head and follow him.
“I’m gonna hold you to that!”
The patio door slides open. “That’s the point, Lukas.”
With a shake of my head, I let him inspect the trampoline while I allow the realtor back inside.
“So? Do we have a deal?”
“We do.”
“Excellent! You won’t regret it.”
My gaze slides to the picture window where Ben bounces on the trampoline, doing flips and grinning like a fool.
“No, I don’t believe I will.”