Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
ROWAN
A fter watching a fun fantasy movie at the theater, I strolled next to Tyler—arm in arm so he could help with my walking—into a restaurant called Noodles and Company for some, well, noodles. I glanced up at the tall palm trees dotting the landscape of fountains, fake grass areas, and walkways between the squared-off buildings of shops and restaurants. As usual, the sun was out with barely a cloud in the sky. Now that we were into November, it wasn’t as hot. “So, you’ve been to this place before?”
We strolled past patio tables with red umbrellas and stopped at a glass door under a metal overhang.
“No, but I’ve heard some of the guys talk about it in the locker room. Bransky swears by this place. He said the food is good and prices are within a college budget.” He opened the door and helped me through it.
“Okay.” I scanned the restaurant, all done up in modern, dark wood tables and metal chairs with an Asian flare. “So it’s Asian noodles?”
“Yes, but it also has mac and cheese and stuff like shrimp scampi.” He led me to an ordering counter at the back of the restaurant. “But I’ve heard they have the best spicy Korean beef noodles around.” As he planted his hands on his hips, his gaze rose to a sign with the menu high up on the wall. “Holy shit. You can have just about anything.” He pointed at it. “You pick your noodles, then your sauce, and what kind of protein you want.”
I stared at the menu, my mouth watering and stomach grumbling. Being a hockey player meant I was always hungry. “Well, you said the Korean beef thing is the best, so I’ll go with that.” I smiled at him.
“Me too.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and then we ordered.
After getting our drinks and food on a tray, I hobbled to a table on the patio under one of the umbrellas while he followed me with the tray.
I fell into a chair and propped my leg on the chair next to mine. This was nice, having a date with Tyler. It wasn’t very different from the dates I’d been on with women, except we had way more in common.
He set the tray on the table, sat down on the other side of me, and placed our meals in front of each of us.
I looked down at my thick noodles with slices of braised beef in a brownish sauce and plenty of green onions and maybe bits of cabbage? Hell, I wasn’t sure what all was in it, but I sure as hell was eating it. “This looks fantastic, Tyler.” I unrolled my fork from a paper napkin and dug in.
He stuffed a fork covered in noodles into his mouth and moaned. “Oh my God, fantastic.” Nodding and smiling, he chewed his food and downed it with iced tea.
I thought back through the time we’d been together. “Thanksgiving is coming up. Are you going home?” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t asked him about it already.
“Nope. We have a tradition of staying here for the holiday and spending it with the squad. We’re on the road enough, and we all go home for Christmas.” He licked the sauce off his fork.
“Shit, I’m supposed to fly home on Wednesday night and come back Saturday. But it’s like a whole day of travel each way with all the flights I’m on.” I huffed a sigh. Would Dad let me return the tickets? Could I? “If I stayed, could I?—”
“Yes, you can have Thanksgiving with me and the squad. Ace won’t be here this year, so Archer is coming over with his boyfriend Leo. Leo’s going to cook the turkey for us.” He wrinkled his brows. “Could you stay?”
I widened my eyes. “Archer, as in Archer Carlson from the Coyotes?” Holy shit, he might be my second favorite D-man from the ASU team.
“None other than. And…” He looked around and focused on me. “Mason Hopkins and Jett Jarvis will be stopping by.” He wagged his brows. “You can meet them all.”
“Oh, fucking hell, I’m staying. I don’t care what my old man thinks.” With a chuckle, I ate some noodles wrapped around spicy beef, and the flavor exploded in my mouth. Nodding with a closed-mouth grin, I pointed at my noodles.
“Good, huh?” He twirled his fork in his noodles. “Those two, Mason and Jett, they sure went through the ringer with those assholes in Dallas.”
“They did. But they play so well together, I’m not surprised the coaches are letting their relationship slide.” My heart lurched. What about us? “Hey, you think Coach would have a problem if he knew about us?” I drank some iced tea.
Shaking his head, he said, “Seeing as how my other friend, Jonah, was dating a coach and they covered it up, no.” He flashed me a grin. “As long as we win, it’s all good.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “But I don’t think it’s something we should flaunt, you know? We should keep this between us and our friends.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right. I could see where a coach-player thing would get dicey, but two players? Hell, they’d change up our line, maybe.” I hadn’t come out to Ace yet, but maybe I would at some point. But what about my parents? I set my fork on my bowl. “What do your parents think about you being gay?” I tented my hands over my food. I needed a break before I could eat more.
“They were cool with it for the most part. Mom didn’t care, but it took some getting used to for Dad. I think that’s sort of typical.” He sat back, placing his fork on his napkin. “Getting full?”
“A little. Just taking a break before I eat more.” Though, I might have to bring some home. I could eat a lot, but Tyler had made a big breakfast too. My heart swelled with emotion. He was taking such good care of me. Could a guy ask for more? “My dad, uh, I have no idea how he’ll take it if I tell him about us.” My chest grew tight. “But with Mom sick…shit.” I hung my head, a knot rolling in my gut. The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t sit well. “She’s okay with Teddy. Shit, she loves Teddy.”
His gaze darted over my face, and he leaned in, grabbing my hand and resting them both on the table. “You’ve got time to get comfortable with this. I’m not asking you to come out to your family.”
“But at some point, I need to, right?” I threaded my fingers in his. “I mean, if we’re getting serious…” A soft ache floated through my chest. “I never thought I’d have to think about this.”
“What does your dad say about Teddy?” He shifted his chair closer to mine and kissed my knuckles.
“Nothing, really. He’s cordial to him and doesn’t say mean shit behind his back or anything.” I sucked my lower lip under my teeth and freed it. “But I just don’t know. He’s a dad who’s very proud to have a hockey player for a son.”
“Then he’ll probably be a dad who’s very happy his son has found someone.” He gazed deeply into my eyes. “No matter what happens, I’ll be there for you.” He squeezed my hand. “And I know your friend Teddy and all my friends will be there for you too. You’re part of the queer family now.” He creased his forehead.
I parted my lips. Hadn’t Teddy talked like that? Sometimes he’d just tell me a guy was family, and I’d know that meant the guy was queer. Holy shit, that was me now. “Uh, yeah.” I blinked and blew out a breath. How had the conversation taken this turn? “So, let’s eat the rest of this wicked good food here.”
A grin swept over his mouth as he freed my hand and picked up his fork. “Absolutely. But see if you can stay here for Thanksgiving.”
“Won’t be a problem. I’m sure I can use the money from the tickets on my flights home for Christmas.” I sank my fork into my noodles. “I’ll tell Dad I got a chance to have Thanksgiving with three NHL players, and he’ll probably ask me to stay here and get him some autographs.” I chuckled and ate my food.
After finishing our noodles, we went back to my place and napped for about an hour while tangled in each other on my bed. I woke up with Tyler’s arms wrapped around me from behind and let a soft grin creep over my lips. What a day. Who’d have thought a guy could make me feel like this?
He stirred behind me and, in a groggy voice, said, “You awake?” He lifted onto an elbow and looked me up and down.
Rolling to an angle, I said, “I am now.” It was early evening. At what point would he go home? Could he stay another night? But fuck, he had a morning skate tomorrow.
“How’s the knee? I think we need to ice it some more.” With a soft sigh, he climbed off the foot of the bed.
A grin swept over my lips. He was doing his best to get me back on the ice as soon as possible. I grabbed my knee brace from the side of the bed, strapped it on, and ambled into the main room.
Tyler came at me with the ice pack and helped me onto the couch. “I’ll call my agent tonight and let you know what he says.” He set the ice pack into place and wound the compression bandage around it, and then glanced toward the window and frowned. “It’s getting late.”
“You need to get going?” I brushed my hand up and down his forearm. I’d known this moment would come. He’d already done so much. I couldn’t ask him to stay another night.
“Yeah. I’ll catch an Uber to my car.” He slid in next to me, draping an arm around my shoulders. “I have a chapter or two I should read tonight.” He rested his forehead against the side of my hair.
“Yeah, and I have practically all day tomorrow to study. No gym, no morning skate, and only a few classes.” I lifted my head and gazed into his stunning face. Brushing my knuckles over his cheek, I said, “You go. I’ll be fine.”
“Do you need any help getting to class tomorrow?” He knitted his brows.
“No, I’ll work it out. I have to fend for myself at some point, and hell, the knee is feeling better already.” I offered a swift grin. I didn’t want to put him out any more than I already had.
“Call me if you need help. I’ll be around.” He pressed a long, slow kiss on my mouth. “I’ll text you later about Dean.”
“Sure.” I planted another quick kiss on his lips. “See you…and, Tyler?”
“Yeah.” He stood, planting his hands on his hips and looking around the room.
“I had a good time today. It was my first real date with a guy, and it was really nice.” I squeezed his wrist. Did he even realize how many firsts I’d had with him?
He bent over, bringing his face close to mine. “We’ll have lots of dates, Rowan.” He ruffled my hair, found his bag by the dinette, and grabbed it. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Yep.” I watched him leave, an ache threading through my heart.
The next day after classes, I was relaxing with a sitcom on the television and my leg propped on the couch with more ice when my phone buzzed on the cushion next to me. I picked it up.
Tyler
I spoke to Dean. He was already thinking about signing you after seeing us play together. You should be getting a call from him soon.
As my pulse sputtered, I tapped the screen on my phone.
Rowan
Are you serious? That’s great. He doesn’t care that I’m injured, does he?
I pursed my lips.
Tyler
Hell no. All hockey players have injuries at some point. And this one isn’t so bad.
I thought back. Tyler was waiting to hear about the Blackhawks.
Rowan
Did he say anything about Chicago?
The three dots danced on my screen, and my heart picked up speed. If he was going to Chicago, we’d have some things to figure out.
Tyler
They’re still talking. He said it’s looking good though.
A few seconds later, my phone buzzed in my hand with a number I didn’t recognize. “Shit.” Was it Tyler’s agent? I paused the sitcom and answered the call. “Hello? ”
“Rowan Mackenzie? This is Dean Wilson. I hear you’re looking for an agent?”
“I am.” I sat up straight, my knee pinching. Fuck, not now. “My father’s a lawyer, and he’s been on the hunt for me, but I’m sure he won’t mind me working with you. Not with your reputation.” And working with Tyler? No way would I let Dad sway me against this.
“Good. I take it you’ve already spoken with Tyler?” he asked.
“We were texting when you called.” I bit my upper lip. “He said you’d already been looking at me?” Shit, was I sounding too interested? Should I leave something open for negotiation? I’d leave that for Dad.
“I was. It’s sort of hard not to see you play when you’re partners with my client.” He chuckled. “You two are good together.”
“Thank you.” I smiled into the phone. Damn right, we are. God, if only there was a way we could be signed as a defensive pair… But that wasn’t a typical thing that happened.
“Do you have any questions for me? You’re well into your senior year, and I’d like to get started.”
“How does this work?” I toyed with a fold in my sweats. I should have asked Tyler more about this when he was here.
“We agree on the terms of a contract and then I represent you. It’s not just for getting signed to a team. I’d continue to represent you in public relations, trades, the usual,” he said.
“Can my father look the contract over?” I pursed my lips. I hoped I wasn’t sounding like a spoiled brat, but Dad was good with contracts. He’d be mad if I didn’t let him take a look.
“Of course. I’ll need you to fill out a consent form to allow me to share it with him first,” he said.
“Sure. How do we get this done?” I flicked my gaze out my window into the sunny afternoon, the tall trees throwing shadows over the landscaping rocks in the courtyard. Things were happening, and it didn’t all seem real yet.
“Text me an email, and I’ll send you an e-sign for the consent. Then, with your permission, I’ll contact your father. ”
“Sounds good.” I chewed my finger. I should call Dad after we hung up. I had to tell him about Thanksgiving too.
“Okay then. I’ll speak to you soon. Send me your email,” he said. “And, Rowan? Heal up. I’ve got some ideas on prospects already.”
“Yes, sir.” I cringed. Why had I called him sir? “Goodbye.”
“Bye.” He ended the call.
Holy shit, what do I do first? Call Dad or Tyler? Dad. Taking a deep breath, I found Dad’s number and called him.
The phone rang a few times and clicked. “Rowan? How’s the knee? I saw the injury, I’m sorry I haven’t?—”
“I’m fine, Dad, no worries. It’s just a sprain.” I smirked. He was a busy man, and I wasn’t a baby anymore who needed to be coddled every time I got injured. “I have news for you.”
“Yeah?” Footsteps carried through the phone. “Let me go somewhere more private.”
“Where are you?” I arched a brow and adjusted my ice pack. I was getting sick of wearing this thing, but I’d get better faster if I did.
“At the courthouse. I don’t usually get involved in litigations, but the new partner needed backup today.” He huffed. “Anyway, tell me this news.”
Was he thinking I was getting scouted? I clenched my jaw for a beat. “I found an agent, and he’s a damn good one. He’s the same agent who represents the Hodge boys.”
“Is it? You’ve been paired up with Tyler Hodge. He seems to be good for your game.” His smile carried through the phone.
“He is.” In more ways than one. My chest clenched. I couldn’t tell him about us yet. But I could maybe feel him out. “Anyway, we’ve been spending a lot of time together. You know, as partners, we need to get to know each other…”
“You mean partners on the ice.” He chuckled. “The Hodge boy is gay, right? He’s one of the, what do they call themselves?”
“The squad, Dad. He’s one of a group of guys who are queer players on the team.” As tightness wove through my body, I breathed through it. I wasn’t liking his tone. “So yeah, I guess I’ve found another gay friend.” But shit, Tyler was so much more than a friend. With an ache winding through my chest, I clutched my hoodie over my heart. It hurt to lie about what we had.
“Oh, I suppose that’s not so bad. Teddy’s been over to see your mother. He’s a good kid,” he said.
Okay, so now I was confused, and we’d gotten off track. With a puff of breath, I said, “Anyway, Dean Wilson wants to sign me on as his client and says he’s already got ideas for prospects. I figured you’d want to take a look at his contract.”
“You figured right. I’ve heard of him, and he’s got a good reputation, but you can never be too careful.” He inhaled. “Give me his number, and I’ll connect with him.”
“Okay. I’m signing a consent form for you.” Dad would know all about this shit. I glanced at the television across the room, still paused on the show.
“Good,” he said. “Maybe we can go over it when you come home for Thanksgiving.”
My heart pitched. “Uh, I don’t want to come home for Thanksgiving this year.” I bit the side of my cheek. Was he going to be mad? “I got a chance to have Thanksgiving dinner with a few of the Coyote players, so I’d like to stay here.”
“Really? Coyotes? Who?” The tapping of his dress shoes filled the background of the call.
“Well, um…” Shit, they were all out and queer. Would Dad say something about it? “Jett Jarvis, Mason Hopkins, and Archer Carlson.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. Say something about them all being queer. Go ahead.
“Oh, the former ASU players…” He sucked in a breath. “And the winger from Dallas who was bullied?”
“Yes. They’re all friends of Tyler’s.” I picked at a thread on the band of my sweats. At least he’d been discreet in how he’d described them. That was the lawyer in him.
“Okay.” He chuckled. “Guess you like hanging out with queer people, huh? ”
My brows snapped together. What did that mean? Was I reading too much into what he was saying? “Yeah, guess so. They’re a good group of guys. They stick up for each other, you know?”
“Like how you stuck up for Teddy back in high school. I get it. You’re attracted to people like that.” His breath caught. “Hey, I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.” I twisted my lips. “So, I’ll change the ticket and use the money for Christmas break?” Good thing I hadn’t bought the ticket for Christmas yet.
“Sure. I’m looking forward to seeing the contract, and, Rowan? Good job on finding an agent and thank this Tyler Hodge for me.” He snickered.
“I will, Dad. Bye.” I hung up the call and stared at my phone. I wasn’t sure what to think about the conversation. Didn’t matter I had time to see how things went before I came out and proud on him. A smile played over my lips.