Chapter 30 #2
Riley and Josh were the first to break the bubble of quiet Chase had been enjoying.
“Tobias!” Josh shouted. “Did you see us in the stands last night?”
“I can’t believe you scored, man! That was freaking incredible!” Riley said.
Josh wrapped his arms around Tobias in a congratulatory hug once he reached him, and Tobias obligingly hugged him. Well, sort of. It was more like an awkward back pat.
“Yeah, it was pretty epic,” Tobias said, Josh still clinging to him like a limpet.
If it were anyone else, Chase would have been jumping to claim his man, but Josh was harmless and head-over-heels in love with his bestie, Riley.
Chase was so happy he didn’t have to be jealous whenever they were being cute, now that he could truly call Tobias his.
“I heard you guys shouting before finding you in the upper level. I had no idea you were coming.”
“You kidding?” Riley asked, perplexed. “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Sophie hooked me up with a group of seats in the upper stands.
I have like fifty texts from her about how happy her boss is after you gave her credit for getting you to play.
Don’t be surprised if she sends you a fruit basket or something to thank you. ”
“Tobias fucking Moyer, you crazy son of a bitch,” Cole shouted from the doorway of the gym. He stomped right up to Tobias. “Have you been playing pro hockey this whole time in disguise or something? You played like you never left the game. It was sick, dude!”
Cole wrapped Tobias in a hug of his own, but he dropped it quickly, likely out of fear of Tobias killing him for daring to touch him.
He wasn’t surprised to see Garrett, Hunter and Carson walk in behind Cole, but his jaw dropped when Shawn entered as well, joining them at the front of the gym.
“Shawn? What are you doing here?” Chase gaped.
“You don’t think I’m gonna come in just to see you two after what happened last night?” Shawn asked.
“Seriously. Sure, the goal was great, but there was definitely some bigger news, you guys,” Garrett said as he held up his phone. “I present you with evidence Tobias Moyer is not a robot.”
Garrett pressed play and video of Tobias claiming Chase in a heated kiss in the Inferno locker room last night was displayed for all to see. Chase could feel the heat crawling up his cheeks, and Tobias’ were equally as red.
Once the video finished, the others stared at Chase and Tobias, likely waiting for some kind of confirmation.
“That looks like AI to me,” Tobias said, and Chase’s stomach sank. Was he really going to deny everything that happened between them? Thankfully, Chase had gotten ahead of himself. “I could have sworn I used way more tongue on my new boyfriend last night.”
Chase giggled, and everyone in their circle shouted, “Ohhhh!” Suddenly, a loud pop interrupted the din, and confetti flew around them.
Tobias sighed loudly as Chase found the culprit. Cole held a colorful tube with a ripped opening, a piece of confetti stuck to the edge.
“Cole, do you carry those around all the time now?” Tobias asked begrudgingly.
Cole’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, what an incredible idea. I would always have one on hand. But no, I caught the video highlight and brought it with me to celebrate. I do have a mini stockpile at home for last-minute celebrations. I’m also still workshopping your couple name because Moysend sounds like ‘moistened,’ and nobody wants that. Chabias? Tobase? Nothing is working.”
Tobias shook his head and threw his arm around Chase.
“Now everyone is aware of our new relationship status, your warmup for this morning is to clean up the confetti. I’ll put your workout on the screen.”
“Counteroffer,” Riley said. “We pick up the confetti, and then we head to Cherry Meadow Diner for celebratory breakfast. I think we all deserve a rest day, huh, guys?”
Everybody exchanged glances, but Chase only had eyes for Tobias. Chase’s smirk turned into a smile as he watched the wheels turn in Tobias’ head.
Breakfast sounded amazing, especially if they were able to follow it with a nap.
Tobias raised one brow, and Chase nodded.
“Breakfast it is. Clean this up and then get the hell out of my gym,” Tobias said, but with less heat than usual.
Shawn stepped forward and wrapped Chase in a hug. “I’m so happy for you. I hope he deserves you,” he muttered in Chase’s ear.
“He does. He really does,” Chase said as he returned his brother’s hug.
When they separated, Shawn held out a hand to Tobias.
“Congrats, Tobias. On winning my brother’s affection and last night’s game. Chase deserves the best and it’s clear you make him happy. I’d say ‘welcome to the family’ but I think it’s more like, I hope I can be a part of your family one day. Yours and Chase’s.”
Tobias shook Shawn’s hand and pulled him in for a quick hug, Shawn gasping as he fell into Tobias’ chest. He definitely wasn’t expecting that.
“We’d love that,” Tobias said as he released Shawn, who looked blown away by the interaction. Once he got over the shock, Shawn smiled, and then got on the ground to help pick up the confetti.
Once every piece of confetti had been transferred to a trash can, the group got ready to leave the gym.
Cole was halfway out the door before he froze and spun back around to face them.
“Choby!” he shouted. “Chase and Toby make Choby. Nailed it!”
Cole high-fived himself and finally left.
Chase started to follow, until Tobias yanked him backward into his arms.
“After breakfast with the guys, how would you feel about heading to your place for some sleep?” Tobias asked.
“Exactly what I was thinking. Grace doesn’t need help with Madison?”
Tobias shook his head. “Nah, now that Natalie is back, they’re spending the morning packing up and getting ready to head home. We’re gonna have one last dinner together tonight, though, if you want to join.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“No, that’s just you.”
Chase smiled and pulled Tobias toward the front of the gym. “C’mon cornball, let’s go fill you up with breakfast so I can take you home.”
He thought about the morning ahead of them as they exited the gym in time to see Garrett slamming on his brakes in the middle of the parking lot.
Loud swears were muffled behind his windows, and Chase and Tobias rushed over.
“Garrett!” they both shouted as they raced to his dark sedan.
He was facing his backseat, but spun when he heard their yells.
Chase and Tobias froze as they watched Garrett’s face go from anger to fear before settling on friendly.
“Hey, my bad,” Garrett said as he lowered the window. “Everything’s good. I thought I saw a giant spider in my backseat, but it was nothing.”
Chase smirked as he caught Tobias’ shiver.
“You sure?” Chase asked.
“Yup, all good. Just gotta take care of some things so I can’t make it to breakfast. See you tomorrow,” Garrett said before peeling away and turning in the opposite direction of the exit of the industrial park where the gym sat.
“Uh, you think he’s really okay?” Chase asked after watching Garrett drive off.
“I’ll text him later to make sure. But he’s the cop, so if he really needed help I’m sure he’d call the station.”
“True.” Chase shrugged, and they walked to their cars. “So, now can we talk about your adorable reaction to Garrett saying the word spider?”
Tobias’ loud sigh cracked him up.