Chapter 21 #2
Mom’s gaze grew hard. “Jack, you stop that right now. This is hard enough for him without you berating him.” As her lips pressed together, the background shifted behind her, their kitchen cabinets showing. “If you can’t be civil, then I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
A door slammed in the background.
Ronan’s brows flew up. “Go, Mom.” He snickered and brought the coffees to the couch.
I stared at him. Ronan had been a mess yesterday, but today he’d pulled himself together, so he could support me.
It had to be years of practice, pushing shit aside to give his all onstage.
The guy was strong as hell when he needed to be.
Similar to what was required of me for the next game. “Thanks, Mom.”
Her gaze returned to the phone, and she smirked. “My mama bear came out.” Her mouth flattened. “Evan, honey, you know I’ll always love you no matter what. You’re my son, and nothing could ever change that.”
As a lump climbed my throat, my vision hazed. “Thank you. It means a lot.” I knew I could count on her. I wiped the wetness from my eyes.
Handing me a coffee, Ronan said, “Here.” He sat beside me.
“Thanks.” I blew across the coffee and then sipped it. I didn’t know what else to say.
“So, are you gay, or bisexual, or something else?” Mom’s brows drew together.
“I’m bisexual, I guess.” I thought back across my life, the times I’d found other men attractive.
They’d all had a vibe like Ronan’s, creative and brooding.
Hell, I had a type with guys. “Maybe this was inside me all along, but I never took action on it.” I leaned closer against Ronan. “Ronan’s different.”
A grin pulled at Mom’s lips. “How did you meet? He’s very popular with the younger crowd, right?”
“Yeah, he is. I’ve always loved his music. We met in a bar in Scottsdale. I was out celebrating my call-up.” I flashed a grin at him. Hell, I should introduce them. “But he’s right here.” I tilted the phone toward him.
“Oh.” Mom’s eyes brightened. “Hello, Ronan. I’m pleased to meet you.” She waved into the phone.
“Hi, Mrs. Crosby. I’m sorry this happened the way it did.” His smile faded. “I think my father is to blame for it.” He tapped his finger on the handle of his coffee cup. “In fact, I’m sure of it.”
“Well, you’re not to blame that the media ran with it like they did. And call me Claire.” Mom shifted her gaze. “I’m just glad to know the truth.” Her brows lowered. “What makes you believe your father is at fault?”
Ronan tensed his mouth and then said, “It’s a long story, but we’re not close. He came around here looking for money, and I refused him. He, uh, has some gambling debts. So, I think he sold the photos to the media outlets.”
“Oh.” Mom slid her lips to the side, obviously processing what Ronan had said. “What a terrible thing to do. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.” The edge of her lips lifted. “But anyway, you two appear very comfortable together.”
Thank God she had the good sense to drop the conversation about Jeff. “Ronan has an amazing house. You should see it when you visit next time.” My breath caught. Shit, here I was, inviting her to his house without asking him first.
“Yes, please visit. I’d love to cook a meal for you.” He offered a warm grin.
Mom’s brows rose. “Oh, you cook? Somehow, I didn’t imagine—”
“Yes, Mom. He’s an excellent cook. He’s been making me these amazing meals.
” As the knots in my stomach unwound, my shoulders relaxed.
How would it feel when my parents met the real Ronan Vale?
“Ronan may be a rock god onstage, but at home, he’s very domestic.
” I chuckled. “He even has an adorable dog.” I pointed the screen at Bean, sitting at Ronan’s feet. “His name is Bean.”
“Oh, he’s adorable.” Mom let out a soft laugh and then sighed. “So, tell me, what’s the team’s consensus?”
“I don’t know yet. Rob’s working alongside Ronan’s manager, and then they’ll take a proposal to the team.
” I inhaled deeply. I’d have some interviews about this.
“You know other Coyotes players are queer, right?” Which, they’d be wondering why I wasn’t at the facility. They’d hear the news soon enough.
“I have heard that.” She pressed her lips together. “This won’t hurt your contract, will it?”
“I can’t see how it would.” I sipped my coffee. “Listen, Mom, I should go. If anyone contacts you or Dad for a statement, say nothing. This is coming from Rob.” Dad would be the one they’d try to contact. But he’d refrain from speaking.
“Of course, honey.” She chewed her lip for a moment. “Listen, don’t worry about your father. He’ll come around. I think he’s shocked and needs time.” She inhaled. “I’ll talk to him.”
As my chest squeezed, I nodded and said, “Yeah, okay.” She knew him better than anyone. “Mom? Thanks for being supportive.”
“Of course, honey. I love you.” She shifted her gaze. “It was so nice to meet you, Ronan.”
“Same, Claire.” He grinned into the phone.
“Bye now. Love you and treat each other kindly,” Mom said.
“We will. Love you too.” I ended the call and breathed in deeply. “Holy fuck.” I tossed my phone onto the coffee table and sank into the couch, my nerves decompressing. How would I handle Dad the next time we talked?
“Your mother is exceptional.” Ronan drank his coffee. “I’m sorry I brought up Jeff. It just slipped out.” He squeezed my thigh.
“It’s okay. I think Mom realized it was a difficult topic, so she changed the subject. I’m sure she’ll ask more about it after this shitshow is over.” I glanced at my phone. The morning skate would end soon.
My phone lit up with a call from Lucas.
“Here we go.” I sat up and answered the call. “Hey, man. I take it you heard?”
“I did. What the hell, Evan? It’s front-page news on TSN and USA Today. You had to eat his face before shutting the damn door?” He sniggered. “By the way, I’m in a room with Ace, Archer, Mason, and Jett.”
“We’ve got your back, man,” Ace said. “You just show up for the games ready to keep the puck off me.”
“Hey, dude, welcome to The Squad,” Archer snickered. “You know, that’s what we queer players called ourselves when we were at ASU.”
“Yeah, I think I heard that.” As my heart swelled with warmth, I placed my phone in my lap and set it on speaker. “Hey, Ronan’s sitting here with me, and I put you on speaker.”
“Hi, guys.” Ronan drank more coffee. “Did the coaches speak to the team already?”
“Not yet. They’ve called a meeting for after our showers. But most of the guys have viewed the photos,” Mason said. “I mean, how could you miss ‘em?” Mason barked out a laugh. “Damn, Evan, you came out with a bang.”
“I haven’t even seen the photos yet. I’ve been a little busy,” I said, threading my fingers through Ronan’s. These guys were making light of the situation, which helped. It wasn’t the end of my career, and with their support, I knew I could put this behind me when I hit the ice.
“What did your parents say?” Lucas asked.
“My mom is cool with it. My dad? Not so much.” I squeezed Ronan’s hand. “He complained about the bad timing, and my mom kicked him out of the room. I refuse to worry about him.” I had to focus on hockey.
“Oh, your mom is probably laying into him right now.” A sharp laugh slipped from Ronan.
“Good for her. I’m glad you have a parent on your side. It helps.” Jett said. “I doubted my dad would come around, but he did. Have hope, Evan.”
“Thanks, Jett. I do.” There was a wealth of experience in that room that would provide support. I glanced through the sliding glass doors at the sunny backyard and the swimming pool. It looked refreshing.
“If you need to talk, you know we’re always available,” Lucas said.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, guys.” My phone buzzed with a call from Rob. “Hey, my agent is calling, so I have to go.”
In unison, they all said, “Bye.”
I switched the call to Rob’s. “Hello?”
Ronan’s phone rang, and he answered it as he hopped off the couch. “Hey, Lily. What’s the word?” He strolled into his studio with Bean trotting behind him.
“I think we have a plan,” Rob said.
“Lay it on me.” I glanced into my coffee cup. Hell, would I ever get to drink it?
“We have an interview scheduled for you with the major media outlets this afternoon, and the team is providing tickets for a box seat for Vanta Crown at the home games.”
“Are you shitting me?” My gaze cut to Ronan’s at the same time his met mine. Ronan would be at the games? He was supposed to start at the recording studio this week.
“Yes, we think the best plan here is to embrace your relationship. Hell, you’ve got Mason Hopkins and Jett Jarvis already married, Ace McAdams with an ice-skating husband and Archer Carlson with a husband too.” He chuckled. “Ronan told Lily that you two are officially boyfriends.”
Boyfriends. I set my coffee on the table and strode to Ronan, still on the phone outside his studio. “Hold on.” I pulled my phone from my ear. “Ronan, you’ll be at my games?” Having him there for support would be amazing.
“I will.” He cupped my cheek, gazing deeply into my eyes. “We’ve rearranged the band’s time at the recording studio, and Drew and Jax are excited to go to the games with me. We’re all presenting a united front.”
My heart burst with emotion. “Thank you, babe. I love you so much.” Grabbing the back of his head, I planted a hard kiss on his lips. This might be the best Stanley Cup games ever.
With a quick smile, he said, “Okay, finish your call with your agent.” He pressed his phone to his ear and nodded. “Uh-huh.”
I strode to the couch and fell into it, my heart soaring. “Tell me when and where I need to be, Rob.”
Later that afternoon, I drove to the Ice Den dressed in my best suit.
The team had desired a swift resolution so I could focus on our first game of the Cup with this situation settled.
The Squad members had insisted on attending to support me and to force the press to think twice about asking demeaning questions. Coach Dupont would also be at my side.