Chapter Three #2
“Appreciate it.” Knowing how nervous Adrian was about our interview the previous night, I figured to talk him up a bit. “Adrian did a great job.”
“Sure.” He dismissed my words with a wave of his hand. “I’m hoping you and some other members of the team can meet with Louie Rozner when he returns, and we can do a more in-depth interview with someone who’s actually knowledgeable about the game.”
My gut burned listening to him negate Adrian, but when I opened my mouth, Adrian neatly stepped in, showing no signs of anger or annoyance at the put-down, although his cheeks flamed from the insult.
“I’m not sure Louie’ll be in anytime soon. He’s having his ankle operated on later today. But maybe you have some free time to do a video interview with him? Just let me know what works, and I can coordinate with Louie.”
“Can’t this week. I’ve got too much scheduled.” Hating that I disappointed him, I pulled out my phone to check my calendar. “But late next week or the week after that, I have free spots. I can do it then.”
That brought a spark back to Adrian. “Sounds good. I’ll check with Louie and let you know. He might be ready to return to work.”
“Maybe so,” I said and crossed my arms. “But I’d rather you do the interview.” I directed my attention to DeVine. “I’m sure you can arrange that?” Fuck it. I widened my stance, which might be a little aggressive, but I wanted what—and whom—I wanted.
“It’s highly unusual. Louie’s been our sports reporter for decades.” A cunning gleam lit DeVine’s eyes, but I remained stone-faced and held his gaze. “However, I’m sure that can be arranged, since you two are such good friends.”
At his insinuation, Adrian flushed a deep red, but I was used to being baited by the press and remained unbothered. “Yes, we are. We’ve known each other all our lives. I’m sure Adrian told you that. I feel comfortable with him.”
“Mmm. What do you think, Adrian? Can you handle it?” DeVine’s snide tone suggested Adrian was one step up from incompetent. That pissed me off. I wanted to protect him, but Adrian answered before I could intervene.
“Of course I can. Definitely.” Adrian stood a bit taller, excitement brewing in his face. “But I need to run it by Louie first. I don’t want him to think I’m going behind his back.”
DeVine shrugged. “Louie’ll do what I tell him to—that’s his job. He’s been at this forever, and he knows the score.” He consulted his phone. “Set the time and details and run it past me first.”
“Th-thanks, Rob,” Adrian stammered.
“I’m doing this for the interview, not to further your attempt at a career. After this is finished, you’ll still be the office intern.” DeVine walked away, leaving us standing, looking at each other.
Clearly embarrassed, Adrian turned to walk away, but I put my hand on his shoulder, and he froze.
“How’re you feeling this morning? Any residual effects?”
He couldn’t meet my eyes. “Fine. I had tons of water and took more aspirin. Sorry I made a fool of myself.”
“You didn’t. We all let go on occasion. But why did you leave without waking me up? I thought we’d have breakfast together.”
With a shrug, he fixed his stare on the floor. “I-I don’t know. It was weird, don’t you think? I figured it would be easier to leave without saying anything.”
People passed us in the hallway, and wanting some privacy, I took him by the elbow and pulled him into a corner. “Why? We know each other.”
“No, we don’t. Not really,” Adrian said, honesty filling those big blue eyes.
“I didn’t know you were gay until you made the announcement.
You wouldn’t have even known I was in New York City if I didn’t show up for the interview.
We haven’t kept in contact since you went away to college.
” He shook his head. “We’re barely acquaintances, never mind friends. ”
“Why don’t we change that?” I heard myself say. “Come watch our next game, and we’ll have dinner after.”
Red streaks painted Adrian’s cheeks. “You don’t have to do this.”
“What, exactly?” I was enjoying this back-and-forth.
“Pretend to want to spend time with me. Yesterday there were a lot of emotions. I understand.”
The fun part faded away, seeing how serious Adrian had become. I took a step closer. “Understand what?”
Uncomfortable, Adrian licked his lips. “I, uh, just meant that with your ex getting engaged, I’m sure it must’ve hurt, and me being there…well, I was convenient to flirt with.”
Convenient? Was he kidding? Couldn’t he see how attractive he was?
“Do you think I go around flirting with random men because they’re simply there?”
Adrian met my eyes, his gaze direct. “Yeah, probably.”
Ouch. I pointed a finger at him. “That’s bullshit.”
“Is it?” Lifting his chin, he challenged me. “I’ve seen the articles. You’re a player.”
“Again—bullshit.” I ran my fingers through my hair, and at his raised brows, I conceded.
“Okay, maybe in my twenties I was. I’d just come out and was having a good time.
But all that changed when I was with Denis.
I was faithful. Happy. I liked being in a relationship.
” I couldn’t tell if Adrian believed me.
More and more people walked the hallways, several blatantly staring at Adrian and me, their murmurs growing louder. Adrian put several feet of space between us. “I’ll go make sure to get that interview set up. Do you have a PA or someone I can contact?”
“That would be me.” I grinned. “I’m not fancy like that. Give me your phone.” He hesitated a second, then handed it to me, and I entered my number. “And I’ll see you day after tomorrow for the game, okay?”
Adrian huffed. “I didn’t say yes.”
“Oh, come on, Adrian. It’s just a game and dinner. Plus, it’ll give you a chance to get to know the sport better before our interview. And me.” I winked at him. “See you at six p.m. at the arena. That’s when we take the ice for practice. I’ll leave your name with security at the front.”
The elevator door opened, and I walked in and pushed the button. It closed before Adrian could formulate a response.
On the way down, I thought about why I was going out of my way for someone so resistant, but I remembered how every Saturday night, Adrian would be sitting with his parents, watching television. I realized now that it wasn’t because he’d wanted to be home—he’d had no other place to go.
It was always in the back of my mind how damn lucky I was to have had Neil’s family take me in.
Even after they’d assured me I was staying, the sneaking sensation never left me that someone could come and take me away in the middle of the night.
That I didn’t truly belong. Abandonment and death would do that to a kid.
But the Hunts gave me everything—family dinners, vacations, and holidays where I was treated no differently than their real sons.
Clear as day I recalled my first Christmas with them and the stocking with my name on it up on the mantel next to Neil’s, full to bursting.
To this day, I still used it. I owed them everything.
With family first in mind, the least I could do was push for Adrian to score an in-depth interview.
I made a note to bring Seb along so Adrian would get a two-for-one interview, which hopefully would make him look good to his news director.
I knew he didn’t want to be a sports reporter, but he had to start somewhere.
In the car on the way home to change for practice, Neil called again, and with a wince and muttered curse, this time I answered.
“Care to tell me what that was all about last night?” Neil asked without preamble, his deep growl bringing a smile to my face.
“Yeah, we won the game. Didn’t you watch?”
“Don’t be a dick. You know what I mean. Why’re you messing with Adrian?”
I sighed. “I’m not. He came to interview me after the game, and I invited him to join us after for a drink. He had one too many, so I made sure he was safe.”
“By getting close enough to almost eat his face? What the hell was that about? Why’d you let him get so drunk?” he snapped. “I saw some videos and pictures online. You were close enough to kiss him. Did you?”
“Jesus, Neil. Come on. No, of course not. It was nothing. Gossip. You know how it is.” I tried to downplay it, but Neil wasn’t a fool. “And I didn’t let him get drunk. He’s not a kid. He’s a grown man.”
“I fell asleep early but watched the replay of his interview. You put your arm around him. What was that all about?”
“I was trying to make him feel comfortable in front of the camera.”
“And after I saw how cozy you two were, I called him but no one answered. Care to tell me where he was?”
I shifted in my seat, not used to being under the microscope. “He, uh, came home with me, but it’s not what you think,” I rushed to reassure him. “He was a little drunk, as I said, and I didn’t want him to go home by himself. It wouldn’t have been safe to send him in a car alone.”
He snorted. “And what made him safe with you?”
Stung, I snapped at him. “Dammit, Neil. I don’t deserve that. I’m not a fucking predator.”
“You almost kissed my little brother, Rip,” he pointed out.
My face flamed. He was right.
“I-I know. But I didn’t. I stopped myself.”
“You wanted to, though. Admit it.”
“Listen, all this was…unexpected. But—”
“But nothing, Rip. You wanna fuck half the guys in the country? I don’t care. Just keep away from Adrian.”
Now it was my turn to get annoyed. “Why? I’m not good enough for him?”
“I never said that. But you’re almost nine years older. Adrian’s still a kid.”
“He’s twenty-eight, and I’m sure he’s had boyfriends.
” Realizing that wasn’t exactly supporting my point, I took a deep breath.
“Look. Nothing is going on. I promise. I made sure he was safe, and that’s it.
He’s supposed to come to the next game and have dinner with me afterward so he can learn more about hockey because he’s going to interview the team later in the week.
Why don’t you come too? Are you still sick? ”
“Lisa’s got it now, so I can’t leave her with the kids to go watch a game. Not if I want to stay happily married.”
I chuckled as I exited the car outside my building. “I get it. So are we good? You’re not going to set the dogs after me?” I waved a greeting to the doorman and headed to the elevator.
“Yeah. Anyway…I heard about Denis and Gordie. I’m really sorry. That has to hurt.”
Like a fucking knife in my side, but I wouldn’t admit it. Not to Neil or anyone. I needed to bury my feelings once and for all. Move the fuck on. I entered my apartment, tossed my keys, and stretched out on the couch with a grunt.
“It’s fine. We’re all adults. My main concern is winning games. Everything else is irrelevant.”
“That’s bullshit. You were never as happy as you were with Denis. You’ve always wanted a home, family…the works. And you’ll find it. Just not with Denis.”
The pain in my chest squeezed tight. Guess I hadn’t hidden who I was well enough. “Yeah, sure. I know. I’d better run. Gotta eat lunch, hit the gym, and maybe take a power nap before heading out for practice.”
“Rip…”
“Talk to you soon.” I ended the call, refusing to allow Neil to hear my voice quiver.
Gotta keep up the farce. The captain never breaks.
A leader on and off the ice. The phone fell from my hand to the floor, and I left it there.
Having Adrian coming home with me last night, and then this morning’s interview, had given me little chance to think about Denis’s startling news.
Ghosts in the corner of the apartment mocked me—the two of us picking out all the furniture…
watching training films together…making love in every room.
The laughter and eventual tears. Two years we’d been together, and Denis had always put off any discussion of marriage, yet six months with Gordie and they were engaged.
Was it me?
“Fuck it,” I muttered, ripped the tie off, and unbuttoned my shirt to change. “I don’t need anything but the game.”