Chapter 28
Chapter twenty-eight
Rhys
So, you’re a hockey guy
"Hockey isn’t really your brand." Zara says as we get out of the car under the arena for Duncan’s first home game of the season.
He was able to get me this access so I wouldn't have to worry about causing a scene outside. He asked his friend on the staff to take care of it so there’s a slight connection between us but hopefully no one will ask questions about it.
I’ve finally gotten past all the questions from people at The Alliston Academy. The first two weeks were full of people asking what I was writing, if I was seeing someone, how I channeled my pain into my music.
Duncan has been busy with his season starting and making sure his teammates are handling the first episode of Crosby’s reality show well. He has been spending more nights at my place since his days are full. Mine are too for that matter.
He did insist I watch the show while he was on the road this past week so I wouldn’t forget how hot he was.
Since he’s not allowed to send me a dick pic.
Any time I’m not at the school or with Duncan has been spent finalizing songs for the album. It’s coming together and I’m feeling good about it but the last month has been busy.
Basically, I’m ready for a night out.
Zara rounds the front of the car to join me as we head to the security checkpoint. "What sport would be my brand?"
Absent-mindedly she says. "I dunno, that cheese rolling thing."
I laugh. "What?"
"Isn’t that Scottish?"
"I honestly don’t know. But you could have gone with literally anything else."
She shrugs. "I see you and I see cheese."
"Flattering." I deadpan as I empty my pockets into the little tray. We’re scanned through and met by a staffer to escort us up to our suite.
I’ve been in arena basements before for tours but the nerves I am feeling right now are purely from the promise of seeing Duncan soon.
While we have spent a lot of nights together we’ve both been busier than I thought we’d be. And, his road trip was tougher than I thought too. I wasn’t ready to go from seeing him nearly daily to going a week without him.
He got home late last night and we barely spoke as he crawled into my bed.
Then I had to get up before him.
By the time I got home he was already here getting ready for his game.
It’s been quiet from his friend, it seems she’s keeping the secret. Duncan asked me if I wanted to connect with them since they’ll be at the game too but I decided to share my suite with some of the people I work with instead.
We step into the space and Zara starts checking on the food. There’s a few gift baskets and one has my name on it.
I start to unwrap the teal cellophane and see one of Duncan’s jerseys on top. The name PAISLEY across the shoulders. With more excitement in my chest than I can show I unsnap my western style shirt and start to put the jersey on over my undershirt.
"Really?" Zara looks at me. "What has gotten into you?"
My immediate thought is Duncan’s thick cock and I realize it’s his voice I’m hearing. Great, his snarky, flirty quick responses are rubbing off on me.
He’d love everything about this.
"It would be rude not to wear it." I shrug before pulling the fabric over my head. As I straighten it a little piece of folded paper floats to the floor.
I swipe it before Zara can see it, she’s too busy going through the rest of the gift basket anyway. I turn my back to her and unfold the note.
Charming -
I can’t skate with a boner so don’t let me see you wearing my name until after the game.
Big D
I smirk and stuff the note in my pocket.
Protecting my heart from Duncan’s flirting is becoming more and more challenging the more and more he engrains himself in my life.
The more I see him refuse to accept any credit for taking care of others the farther I fall.
I can’t let on how clearly I see him, this man who makes every day brighter just by being himself.
Because, we’re "fuck buddies" as he would say.
Nothing more.
And, thankfully, nothing less.
The suite starts to fill up and I visit with my colleagues. Zara makes sure things are fine and I stay inside instead of going to sit in the seats in front of us.
A TV in the corner zooms in on Duncan and Crosby as they warm up.
And, holy shit.
Duncan is on the ice with his fists holding himself up as he circles his knees out wide, he leans from one side to the other. My cheeks flush and I blink heavily before a bottle of water is placed at my chest.
"So, you’re a hockey guy." Zara says knowingly.
"I guess so."
"Just keep it quiet. You’re the heartbreak kid right now."
No, he is.
***
I wait until the second period begins before leaving the suite to take a leak. I’m hoping to blend in a little more in Duncan’s jersey than I was in my button up chambray.
Zara made sure the broadcast crews signed NDAs and they’re not allowed to share my attendance.
I hate keeping things on such a tight lockdown but I can’t afford another PR disaster.
I’m looking for the bathroom when I notice a brunette and something about her looks familiar. Just as I’m putting it together that she’s Duncan’s realtor friend her eyes widen in recognition.
"Rhys Reid." She says and I quickly step into a little alcove and pull her with me. She squeaks in surprise but comes easily.
"Shh. People don’t know I’m here."
She looks down the hall. "How?"
"I’ve stayed in the suite and my publicist talked to the media team."
"Whoa, that’s impressive." She licks her lips. "But, you are here."
"Yeah."
"For Duncan?"
"More or less."
"You’re wearing his sweater."
"Sweater?"
"Jersey."
"Ah, yeah. I am."
She runs her tongue over her teeth. She just has a light gloss on her lips. "Does he know you’re here?"
"Yeah, he set it up."
"Interesting." She nods to herself.
"Listen, Harper right?" She smiles. "People can’t know we’re, umm, that we know each other."
"But why?"
"It’s complicated."
"He deserves to be loved out in the open like he loves everyone else." She raises an eyebrow at me as she props a hand on her hip. Here I was thinking she was sweet and timid but I can tell she knows how to stand for what she believes in. Has she always been that way? Can she teach me how to do it?
"I agree." I say sadly. "I just can’t give that to him right now."
She sucks in a sharp breath. "You love him?"
Alarm bells sound between my ears. "I didn’t say that."
"Fine, I’ve got to get back before the girls start looking for me. I’ll keep your secret, but it’s going to cost you."
"Really?" I didn’t expect to be bargaining with her.
"Yeah, my wedding is next summer and you need to play at it."
"Umm, maybe. I’ll have to check my schedule."
"No, you’ll make it work. You’re making me hide something from not just the man I love but my best friends. And worse, you’re hiding something from the man you love and to compensate me for the emotional toll of all this you’re going to play during my cocktail hour."
"I’ll make it work." I am slightly afraid of what would happen if I didn’t.
"Good." She adjusts her purse strap on her shoulder. "By the way, Meek Car deserves to feel like he’s about to sneeze for the rest of his life for cheating on you."
A laugh barks out of me. "Yeah, that seems fair."
"I’ll keep your secrets Rhys Reid, but just take care of him yeah?"
"I will." I promise.