Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ROWAN
T he Uber dropped us off at my home, and I looked over the front yard at it, lit up like a fucking Christmas tree. They were all up and waiting for us. “Here we go.” With my gut churning in knots, I held tightly to Tyler’s hand and walked up the steps to the front porch.
The door swung open, and Aaron stood there, his brows furrowed. “Did you get my text?”
“I did.” With a glance at Tyler, I walked toward Aaron.
Danny stepped out from behind Aaron. “I tried to tell him it was no big deal.” His mouth dropped open. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Let us inside, and we’ll explain.” I brushed past them, taking Tyler with me, and strode into the warmth of the house. As I shrugged off my jacket, my gaze caught on Dad, who was studying me with a hardened gaze. “What happened?” His gaze softened, and he rushed to me, looking me over. “You got in a fight?” His gaze landed on Tyler. “Both of you?”
Tyler pursed his lips. “Yes. It was…” He clenched his jaw and peeked at me. “I’m going to let Rowan explain.”
“Aaron, go get some ice packs from the freezer.” Dad grabbed my arm, inspecting my face. “Well, I’ve seen this before, but usually it’s after a game.”
Tyler took off his coat, laid it over the arm of the couch in the front room, and sat at the end of it. He rested his elbows on his thighs and his face in his hands.
“Shit, you okay, Tyler?” I dropped beside him, throwing my arm around his shoulders. He might have been hurt more than he’d let on. “Get me some Tylenol.”
Danny ran off.
As Aaron brought me two ice packs and some paper towels, I pressed one against Tyler’s forehead and helped him lean back. He looked terrible. “There you go, babe.”
“Babe?” Aaron giggled through a scoff. “So this is real? You’re gay?”
I didn’t give a fuck anymore. “Yeah, I mean, no, I’m bisexual. But Tyler is my boyfriend.” I fixated on Aaron and then on Dad, who was rubbing his forehead, his gaze dashing across Mom’s patterned rug.
Danny came back with a glass of water and two pills. “Here. How’d he hit his head?”
I gave the pills and water to Tyler, and he swallowed them. “The asshole who posted the picture came into the bar looking for a fight. He’s a hockey player for Providence, and the guy’s been pissed at me for years for hooking up with his girlfriend . Once .” I spat out the last words, a hot poker slicing through my chest. “His girl is a cheater, and he’s an idiot for not knowing it.” I squeezed the back of Tyler’s neck. “You feeling any better?”
“Yeah, just got a little woozy for a minute.” He gave me a forced grin.
I looked over my family, all watching us with wide eyes except for Dad. He wouldn’t look at me. Why? “Anyway, one of the guy’s goons went after Tyler and head-butted him when Tyler tried to defend me.”
Danny’s brows snapped up. “So, you two got attacked over a girl, not because you’re queer? ”
“Yeah, basically.” I freed a soft chuckle. Why was I laughing? The whole thing sounded stupid when you put it how Danny did, and now the fucker, Knight, had started a shitstorm with my family. God, the next time I saw him on the ice…
“Did you win the fight? What did the other guys look like?” Aaron glanced at Dad and then frowned. “Dad, you’re cool with this, right?”
Dad peeked at me. “I need a moment.” He swiveled, strode to the liquor cabinet, and poured himself a bourbon. After drinking the whole thing, he hissed and stared out the window over the cabinet, his hands resting on the edge of it.
“Dad?” Aaron stepped toward him.
“Leave him be, Aaron.” I held my hand out to my brother. This was what I was afraid of. “Aaron, how did Dad find out about the picture?” It wasn’t like he was always checking my Instagram feed.
Aaron’s attention drew back to me, his forehead creasing. “We were playing cards in the kitchen when I saw it.” He dipped his head and focused on me. “I was so surprised. I guess I wasn’t thinking and made a joke?—”
“Don’t blame your brother, Rowan.” Dad’s jaw bulged as he tensed his mouth and approached the couch. As he gripped the back of the couch facing the one I sat on, his knuckles went white. “I don’t want you or Tyler to take this wrong. I don’t have a problem with queer people, and I knew Tyler was gay…but, Rowan, are you sure?” His brows creased.
I glared at my father. “Yes, I’m sure, Dad. Why?” With my chest twisting, I squeezed Tyler into my side. “I love Tyler, and he loves me. We have something special, and not just on the ice.” I glanced at Aaron and Danny, both chewing their lips and watching me. This was a trial of sorts for them too. “I was going to come out to everyone when I got here, but then Mom…” My voice cracked and my vision blurred.
“Babe, you don’t have to go on.” Tyler grabbed my hand and kissed the back of my knuckles, dropping the ice pack to his lap and peering at Dad. “John, it was hard for my dad at first, too, but he got over it, and we have a great relationship now. Rowan’s biggest fear was upsetting you all and causing more stress for Sharon. We hadn’t planned on her having a flare-up when we decided to be together for New Year’s.”
Aaron’s gaze cut to our father’s. Holding his hands out in a pleading gesture, he said, “Dad, you know Mom won’t care. She’ll be happy for them. If Rowan’s going to have a gay relationship, at least he picked one of the best D-men in NCAA hockey, a guy who can and is helping him reach his NHL goals.”
With a huff, Dad strode to the liquor cabinet and took another shot of bourbon. With a chuckle, he said, “Aaron, you have a way of putting things, don’t you?” He turned around, breathed in deeply, and made his way back to us. Stretching his hand out to Tyler, he said, “Welcome to the family, son.”
With wide eyes, Tyler stood, steadied himself, and shook his hand. “It’s an honor, sir. Your son is an amazing man, and your family has been so welcoming. I’m looking forward to many great years with him.” He peeked back at me. “On and off the ice.”
Mom wheeled into the room in her chair. Clapping her hands in front of her mouth, she said, “Oh, aren’t you both lovely.” Her eyes glistened. “I’m so happy for you, Rowan and Tyler. Come here.” She held her arms out.
“Ma, how’d you get in your chair?” I hopped off the couch along with Tyler, and we both jogged to her. I kissed her forehead and hugged her.
“I’m feeling stronger. I wasn’t going to let a flare-up keep me from witnessing my son’s coming out.” She wrapped one arm around me and one around Tyler. “You make such a handsome couple.” She beamed at both of us. “I knew you were together the moment I saw how you looked at each other.”
I gave Tyler a broad smile and then kissed his cheek. “I should have known.”
Rubbing his eyes, Aaron said, “Dad, I’m having a shot of bourbon, and you can’t stop me.” He strutted to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass. “Here’s to my brother banging the newest team member of the Blackhawks.” He held up the glass and gulped down the liquor.
“Aaron,” I said through a snicker while Tyler and I freed Mom.
Shaking his head, Dad scoffed a laugh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t say anything like that again.” He faced me. “And don’t think I’m going to let you sleep in the same room now. If you had a girl home, you’d be in separate rooms too.”
“Dad, I’m not sixteen. I’m twenty-three, and so is Tyler.” I glanced at Tyler, smirking at me. We were too beat up for sex tonight anyway.
“Listen to your father, Rowan.” Mom covered her mouth and giggled.
“With that, I’m off to bed.” Danny walked toward the stairs. “I’m on the same floor as you guys, and I don’t care what you do. Just keep it down.” He threw a sly grin at Dad.
Dad rubbed his temples. “Aaron, pour us both another.”
“Hell yeah.” Aaron poured two more drinks.
“Let’s get our ice and go to my room.” I glanced at Dad, downing another shot with Aaron. “We need to get more ice on your head.”
“And on your eye.” Grabbing my hand, he squeezed it and peeked at Mom. “Goodnight, Sharon. It’s good to see you up and around.”
“We’ll spend some time together tomorrow. You two go and heal up.” She waved us off.
After getting to my room with fresh ice packs, I toed off my shoes and guided Tyler to lie on my bed on his back. “Here.” I set the ice pack on his forehead. “We have a thing for getting injuries that we have to ice.”
“That we do.” His lips curled into a soft smile. “I’m sort of glad Knight did what he did. I mean the part about posting a picture of us kissing, not confronting us at the bar.”
“Yeah, me too. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off me.” Leaning over, I pressed a soft kiss on his mouth. “My brothers took it the way I expected.”
“And your mom was so sweet about it.” His smile widened. “I’ve never been present when another person came out to their family. I wasn’t sure if I should say something or keep my mouth shut.”
I climbed over him onto the bed with an ice pack in my hand and then lay down beside him and pressed the ice on my eye. “You said the right things and when you should have said them.” I patted his hand, resting on the bed next to me. “You handled it very well.”
“Good.” Holding the pack to his head, he glanced at me. “I meant what I said down there. I’m looking forward to many good years with you.”
My heart almost burst with emotion. “Yeah? You gonna marry me, Hodge, and make me a kept man?” I chuckled. Maybe Teddy had been right.
“If that’s what it takes.” Lifting our hands, he kissed my knuckles. “I know it’s too soon to be talking like this, but it’s sort of fun, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. With you, it is.” I gazed at my ceiling. I could totally see us going as far as marriage. I’d never felt this way about anyone, and I was pretty sure love like this didn’t come around more than once in a lifetime.
After sleeping in our own rooms, we’d gotten up for breakfast and were now sitting around the dining table with my family. I’d helped Aaron and Dad cook a big breakfast of pancakes and sausage.
“Your eye isn’t too bad.” Aaron cut into a pancake and stuffed the bite into his mouth.
“Really? My eyelid is so swollen I can barely see out of it.” With a shake of my head and a chuckle, I bit into a sausage and snuck a peek at Tyler. The bump on his head had a greenish bruise and his jaw had a purplish hue, but he was otherwise looking good.
“You’re gorgeous, babe.” With a grin, Tyler kissed my cheek.
Dad rolled his eyes. “Wow, you two.” He set his fork on his plate and glanced at Mom. “You’re making me look bad in front of your mother.” He smirked.
“Oh, and where’s my kiss, John?” Mom stuck her cheek out toward him. “And don’t I look gorgeous today?”
“Yes, dear.” Dad kissed Mom’s cheek while Danny and Aaron sniggered.
My phone went off on the counter. “Shit.” I popped up from my chair, grabbed it, and looked at the screen. “Hey, it’s Dean. Be quiet, everyone.” I answered the call with my heart thumping in my throat. “Hello?”
“Hi, Rowan. Dean Wilson here. I have some news.”
“Yeah? Good news, I hope.” I leaned my ass against the counter and picked some sausage out of my teeth with my fingernail.
“It is good news. Thanks to the Hodge family, the Blackhawks scout, Brian Tucker, is going to be paying you a visit at your next game, which is at home, correct?” Dean asked.
“It is.” Bumping off the counter, I threw a glance at Tyler, who was staring at me. “So, is there anything you need me to do to prepare?” I was finally getting my chance. And thanks to the Hodge family?
A wide smile grew over Tyler’s face, and he strode to me, winding an arm around my shoulders.
“Nope, just be yourself and play your heart out. He really likes what he sees with you and Tyler on the ice together. We’ll see where this goes,” he said.
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to meeting him and showing him what I’ve got.” I swallowed, wetting my dry throat. We should hit the rink today and practice.
“Okay, let me know if you come up with any questions and I’ll be in touch.”
“I will and thank you.” I breathed in a calming breath. It was all hitting me at once, coming out to my family and now this.
“Talk to you soon. Bye.” He ended the call.
“So?” Tyler’s brows snapped up.
“So? What did you tell the Blackhawks when you visited them?” I set my phone on the counter. Some guys might have not wanted the help, but fuck that. I might get to play in the NHL with Tyler fucking Hodge, my boyfriend.
“I mentioned how much better I played when you were on the ice with me and that it would be a shame if they didn’t at least consider signing both of us. Or see what we could do in development camp this summer.” He wagged his brows at me. “Of course, my dad and brother also put in a good word.”
“Rowan, this boy’s a keeper. Look at how much he loves you.” Mom gave us a warm smile.
“I know, Ma. I know.” I hugged him to my side, pressing my head to his. “God, I can’t believe I have the backing of the whole Hodge family.” And I hadn’t even met them in person yet. That had to change.
“Yeah, well, we know a good D-man when we see one.” Tyler patted me on the back. “Come on, let’s eat the rest of our breakfast.” He made his way to his chair and sat.
Aaron held up his fist to Tyler. “You da bomb, man.”
“Thanks.” Tyler fist-bumped him.
“I’d like to thank you and your family, Tyler. Maybe a set of tickets to the next Blackhawks game?” Dad sipped a cup of coffee.
“I’m sure my parents would love that.” Tyler’s gaze slid to mine, and he covered my hand in his as I sat next to him. “But you don’t have to. Like I said, they know a good D-man when they see it and they wouldn’t have backed Rowan like this unless they believed in him as much as I do.”
“Well, I’ll still send them some tickets. Box seats, maybe?” Dad grinned at Tyler and then me. “I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m sure, together, we’ll show ’em how a real D-line plays.” My chest swelled with emotion. Who’d have thought last year that I’d be in this position?
“Damn right, we will.” Tyler cut some pancakes and stuffed them into his mouth.
On New Year’s Eve, we checked into the hotel I’d booked and met Teddy on the South End at a smaller gay bar with a creative atmosphere and fancy cocktails. The place had already been popping when we got there around nine, and we’d perched ourselves on a lime-green sofa set against white subway tiles away from most of the crowd and noise. A white ceramic deer head adorned with antlers hung on the wall above us. We’d been dancing and drinking champagne most of the night. Our injuries from the fight were pretty well cleared up. We both still had some swelling and bruising, but some of Mom’s makeup had helped us look better for tonight.
As my gaze found Tyler’s, I picked up his hand and squeezed it while colored lights and the steady thump of music filled the air. “I’m pretty sure I’m about to have the best year of my life with you.” I sipped from a champagne flute.
“Yeah?” His lips quirked in a sexy smile. “Me too.” He leaned into my side, dipping his head. “After we have the best night of our lives.”
“Cheers to that.” He tapped his glass against mine, which was resting on the table. “You think Teddy’s going to hook up with the guy he’s been dancing with all night?” He sipped his drink.
“Oh, hell yes.” I nodded. Teddy had found a bear who was just his type. We weren’t going to see him any time soon. “It’s going to be a little weird when we get back to Arizona. It feels like so much has changed since we left.”
“It has.” He pressed a soft kiss on my mouth. “I can’t wait to tell the squad about all of this.”
“Yeah…I’ve really enjoyed those guys. I’m going to miss them next year.” I slid my phone out of my pocket to check the time. “Shit, we’ve only a got a few minutes before midnight.” How had the time passed so quickly?
He twisted to face me on the couch and hooked his arms around my neck. “Rowan, I’m so happy Coach put us together and saw something in us we hadn’t.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’m glad I took a chance on you too.”
“You know you can always count on me, babe.” I kissed him softly.
The music stopped, and the whole bar erupted in counting. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…”
Gazing deeply into his eyes, I said, “Five, four, three, two, one. I love you, babe.”
The bar filled with people singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
“Love you too.” Tyler grabbed the back of my head and claimed me in a heated kiss. When he finally broke it, he said, “Let’s say our goodbyes to Teddy and get out of here. We have a hotel room to debauch.”
“That we do.” I sucked down the rest of my drink and stood, scanning the dancefloor, my gaze landing on Teddy, who was making out with his bear. “Maybe we should text him and not bother him.” I chuckled.