Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ari
“You don’t have to do this,” Felix says for what must be the twentieth time since this subject first came up.
I drop a kiss on his mouth and hand him his beanie. The weather took a nasty turn this week, and even though he runs warm, he’ll need it. “I know. I want to.”
He doesn’t look convinced. “Really?”
“You’re going to be late, and then Coach will scratch you.”
Felix glances at his phone, swears, and backs toward my front door. “Okay, I’m going. Just as long as you understand that I won’t be upset if you change your mind.”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Fe, I’m letting your nephew sit with me at the game, not donating an organ. Go, already.”
He hesitates, then seems to pull himself together and turns to the door. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. See you after the game?”
“Riley and I will wait in the family room,” I promise, and he flashes a smile at me as he leaves.
I’m folding laundry and counting down the minutes until I have to leave for the game—not something past me would ever have thought I’d do—when my phone chimes with a text.
Erik:
Do you mind coming to the arena early? I want to go over some of the details for the teen session next week.
I glance at the remainder of my laundry, which will survive unfolded, and mentally weigh it against ironing out the last kinks in the plans Erik and I have been working on for weeks.
Sure, I’m on my way.
There’s no contest.
“So that’s settled, then? We’re one hundred percent sure we want to handle it that way?” Erik’s still frowning slightly, but compared to the scowl he was wearing when we started, he looks positively delighted.
“It’s settled,” I say firmly. “You and I handle the registration, check-in, and group allocations. The parents have no contact with the players or coaches until the photo session after the event. The kids only have contact on the actual ice and during the photo session.”
Erik bites his lip. “That should cut down on the potential for anyone to complain about how we played last season—or give advice. The one thing all the guys asked for after the last few events was that nobody give them advice on how to play or coach.”
I grimace. As a subject-matter expert who’s had to sit through having people who know very little about my field of expertise offer advice as though they know better than me, I can attest that it sucks. Especially when I’m forced to be polite to them instead of suggesting that they fuck off.
“You and I will be there,” I remind him.
“We can step in and redirect things if it looks like any of the parents or kids are getting too enthusiastic.” We want them enthusiastic, but not so much that they annoy one of the players enough that he’s rude to them.
We’re trying to impress our fellow elves with what a great, family-friendly team the Warhammers are.
“True. I might ask Lurlene if she can spare some time to come down too. Another person to distract overeager parents isn’t a bad thing.
” He makes a note, then brightens. “But the numbers are better than we thought they’d be, and I bet after the king comes to the game tonight, we’ll get another wave of inquiries.
It helps that the team’s been playing better this season.
Two wins, two losses, and an overtime loss! ”
He sounds so pleased that I reach out and pat his arm. “You’re doing a good job, Erik.”
Startled eyes blink back at me, and then he flushes pink.
“Oh, well… I’m trying. It hasn’t been easy for all of us to integrate here on Earth—it’s like being the new kid at school, but instead of just at school, it’s everywhere, and there’s nowhere familiar.
It really helped me when I started coming to hockey games and got to know other fans, both in person and online.
There’s something about a sport that can cross cultural barriers and languages, you know?
We’re all playing by the same rules and talking about the same games.
” He shrugs awkwardly. “I think it can help other elves too. We’re not always as good as dragons when it comes to building social connections. ”
Before I can tell him he’s right, he scoffs.
“Listen to me, rambling on like I have a vocation to save our people or something. It’s just a sport, and I’m getting paid to promote it.” He draws back slightly and begins gathering his things.
“You’re doing a good job,” I repeat. “And you’re helping our people at the same time. That’s not nothing, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”
He goes even pinker, looks away, and mumbles, “Thank you.”
My phone ringing interrupts, and I glance at the screen and see Riley’s name. “I need to take this. It’s Felix’s nephew.”
“Go for it. I have to go anyway.” Erik’s out of his chair and heading for the door of the meeting room we’ve commandeered before I can stop him. I let him go but make a mental note to talk to Eoin or Raeulfr about him.
“Hi, Riley. Are you here?”
“Out front,” he says loudly, probably to be heard over the hum of the people milling around out there.
“Okay, turn to your right and walk around to the side of the building. There’s another door there with a security guard at it. I’ll meet you there.”
“Got it. Thanks, Ari. This is already way cooler than Uncle Felix’s games usually are.” He ends the call abruptly, which is just as well, since I don’t think I was supposed to laugh. But I do.
By the time I get to the door for the VIP and suites entry, Riley is happily chatting up the security guard, who’s wearing a befuddled smile.
“…and like, he’s my uncle so I know he’s great, even if he’s the world’s sorest loser at Monopoly, right?
But his goal streak this season is epic.
I think it might be a Warhammers record.
Most of the time they’re lucky if they get a goal or two in a game, yeah?
So obviously I had to come tonight to cheer him on.
It’s got nothing to do with being invited to a suite—well, maybe only a little bit. Is the food in the suites good?”
The guard waits a beat to make sure Riley’s really done talking, then says, “I’ve been told it is.”
“Sweet. Heh heh… get it? The food in the suites is sweet.”
I decide this is a good time for me to interrupt. “Hey, Riley.”
They both look over as I approach, and Riley’s face lights up. “Hi, Ari.” He turns to the guard. “This is Ari, my uncle’s boyfriend that I was telling you about.”
Something in me stutters at that label. I want it—want it so very badly. But it implies a commitment I’m not free to give. My life isn’t my own to share, no matter how much I want to give it to Felix.
But I’m not going to correct Riley, and especially not in front of a stranger. That’s for Felix to do, if he wants to.
“Thanks for keeping him company,” I say dryly to the guard, holding out my phone. “Here’s his ticket.”
He scans the suite pass, then smiles warmly at Riley. “Have a good game. I’ll be rooting for your uncle to score more goals. Come and let me know after if the food was any good.”
“I will,” Riley promises. “Thanks!” He waves as we walk away, then turns to me and says, in a serious tone that only a teenager can manage, “Thanks again for this, Ari. I can’t believe I’m going to meet a real-life actual elf king.
Are my clothes okay? Mom wanted me to wear something nicer, but Dad said it’s still a hockey game and I’d look ridiculous in a suit. ”
I bite back my smile. “I’m sure you look great in a suit, but there’s no need for it. Your clothes are fine. The king won’t be dressed up.”
“Phew!” He smiles in relief. “What do I call him? Like, sir, obviously, but is there something else? Kingship, or something?”
I’m not sure if he’s pulling my leg or not—kingship?
Really?—but if he is, he’s doing it with a straight face, so I reply in kind.
“You can address him as ‘Your Majesty,’ but he’s pretty informal most of the time, and this isn’t an official event.
‘Sir’ is fine.” I pause outside the door to our suite. “Ready?”
He grins at me. “For hockey and bougie food with a king? Heck yeah!”
Inside, I spot the king and Eoin talking with several of the VIPs that got invited tonight, including Brandt.
Riley’s going to get a kick out of that when I tell him.
Jared and Dáithí are in the seats at the front of the suite, watching warm-ups, and I feel a tiny pang of regret that I’m missing them.
Next time, I assure myself. I’m going to have hundreds—maybe thousands—of chances to watch Felix warm up for a game.
“Come on,” I tell Riley, who’s looking around with wide, appreciative eyes, and lead him over to the king.
I wait for a break in conversation, and then say, “Your Majesty, I’d like to introduce Riley Ansas.
Riley, this is King Raeulfr of the Elves; Brandt, the Wingleader of all Dragons; Perrin, the elven viceroy of North America; Sierra, the incubus and succubus species leader; and Eoin, my boss at the DEA. ”
Riley squeaks, gives a jerky bow, then whispers, “No way.”
Eoin half turns and gestures to Dáithí as the king smiles warmly and says, “It’s nice to meet you, Riley. I like Felix very much.”
“Me too! I mean,” he stutters, “Uncle Fe is great. Uh, thank you for letting me come tonight, Your Majesty. I’ve never been in a suite before.”
“They have benefits,” Raeulfr concedes, “but during first intermission I’m going to talk Eoin into letting me go and hang out where some of our people are sitting. You’re welcome to join me, if you like.”
Eoin sighs, and Riley shoots him an uncertain look.
“You’re going to talk him into letting you? But you’re the boss. You can do whatever you want.”
All the VIPs laugh, and Raeulfr shakes his head. “If only. I’m at the mercy of my security team.” He leans closer, like he’s going to tell a secret. “The night I met Jared, Ari tried to stop me from meeting him for coffee.”
I roll my eyes. “I did not.”
“You tried to talk me out of it.”
“I pointed out the logistical difficulties of you being with a human.”
“And how would you feel if someone pointed out the logistical difficulties of you being with Felix?”
My mood dips, and I glance out toward the ice. “Don’t worry, I’m already aware of them.”
Raeulfr frowns, but then Brandt says, “All this bickering is bad for my vibes. Raeulfr might have no-fun Eoin here tonight—”
“Hey!” Eoin exclaims, just as Dáithí joins us.
“Sorry, babe, but it’s not untrue.”
“—but I lucked out and got Wil, which means we’re definitely going to talk to the people later. Riley, tell me, what’s the general feeling among your friends about dragons your age? Because I know there are some here tonight I could introduce you to.”
Riley’s eyes just about pop out of his head.
“Yes. Please. Do they live locally? My best friend is having a party this weekend, and I could totally bring them. It would be like the outreach program Ari’s doing, only with no hockey and lots of—” He slams his mouth shut, and I make a mental note to mention to Felix that his seventeen-year-old nephew probably needs a talk about being safe at parties.
As Riley dives headfirst into conversation with Brandt, Dáithí murmurs to me, “Felix adores his nephew, and that kid is having the time of his life. This is going to earn you major points with your boyfriend.”
I shake my head instinctively. “It’s not like that with us.”
Dáithí scoffs. “Sure it’s not. Come on, let’s get some food before puck drop. You’re not technically on duty tonight, so you can have a beer with us.” As he drags me away, I glance back to make sure Riley’s good and notice the king watching me with a troubled expression.
Fuck. The last thing I want is for him to doubt my dedication.