Chapter 23 #2
“I do, Mama. He makes me happy.” I leaned toward her, locking my gaze on hers as the corner of my eyes pricked. “I’ve never loved like this before. He’s so...” How the hell do I describe him? “He’s vibrant and fierce. But he’s also smart and driven.”
Papa stepped next to me and said, “Julian’s father is preparing him to be the next owner of your team.”
“Yes, Papa.” I met his gaze. Of course, for Papa, what was important was a man’s status. “He graduated from Harvard and he’s working with our goalie scout now after spending time with our coaching staff.” The hockey operations, Papa would understand.
Papa’s brows swept up. “Oh?” He huffed and rubbed his mouth. “Still, I don’t know.” He stepped away.
“Your father is having a hard time with this. Harder than me.” Mama said as she watched him.
“I don’t know if he can accept it, but in time, he’ll tolerate it.
” With her forehead wrinkling, she reached across the table and patted my hand, resting on my knee.
“He never wanted to speak to you again, so the fact that he’s here is a hopeful sign. ”
An ache filtered through my insides. My relationship with them had changed forever, but it would get better with time. At least I had Mama. “What about you, Mama?”
“I only want you to be happy. If this man makes you happy, then so am I.” She offered a soft grin. “I’ve attended the meetings, the PFLAG meetings, and the people there are very helpful.”
“There’s even another mother from St. Petersburg, who talks to Mama.” Tanya patted Mama on the shoulder.
“She’s helping.” Mama glanced behind her at Papa, still strolling the perimeter of the lounge. “Your father has gone to meetings, but he refuses to speak to anyone.”
“Okay.” Rocking once, I nodded. I needed to know what they were comfortable with. “Can I call you like I used to?” I drew a breath.
“Yes, of course.” Mama’s eyes glistened. “Visit also whenever you want. Maybe by this summer, you can bring this man to meet us?” She ticked her brows. “I think Papa will be better by then.” She peeked at Tanya.
“He better be, or we’ll have to knock him around.” Tanya chuckled.
Raising a brow, Dad faced us. “No need to resort to such measures.” He gave me a pointed look and wandered toward me. “I love you, son. That hasn’t changed.”
As my eyes stung, my heart ached, and I said, “Spasibo, Papa.” I hadn’t lost them. We’d reconnect in time.
The topic switched to hockey, and I spent another half an hour with them before returning to my room. They’d gotten tickets for the game and would watch tonight. For now, it was all I could hope for.
After saying my goodbyes to my family with a handshake and a pat on the back from my father, and triple kisses on the cheek and hugs with my mother and sister, I returned to my room. I needed to call Julian. My parents’ visit would surprise him as much as it surprised me.
Pacing my hotel room with a light heart, I dialed Julian, setting the phone on speaker.
The phone rang a few times and picked up. “Hey, babe.”
“Hey, Julian.” Warmth ran circles around my heart. I only needed to secure a win tonight and fly home to him, and then this day would be one of the best. “You’ll never guess who I just spoke with.”
“Uh…okay, who? Lady Gaga?” He chortled.
Rubbing my eyes, I chuckled. “No, but that would have been cool.” I took a deep inhale. “My parents.” I twisted at the window.
“What? No way.”
“Yes, way. Tatiana talked them into coming to New York for the game and speaking with me.” I strolled past the foot of the bed.
“My mother’s, uh, coming around. Dad still doesn’t accept me, but he spoke to me and…
” My eyes stung again. Fuck, could I say this without the tears?
As my voice cracked, I said, “He told me he still loves me.” I swiped at a hot tear as it rolled down my cheek.
“Oh my God, babe, I’m so happy for you. Damn it, I wish I were there.” He huffed.
“Yeah, me too. These hotel beds aren’t the same without you in them.” I glanced at my bed and the rumpled covers. With a sniffle, I said, “How’s the scouting session with Mr. Keller?” Julian was visiting a juniors team in Ottawa.
“Interesting. Goalies are…weird.” A sharp laugh burst from him. “Ace seems completely normal compared to some of these guys.”
“Yeah, well, wait until you spend some time with Gagnon.” I snickered. Hockey was easy to talk about. “He’s a good guy, but an odd duck.”
“Yeah…we’ll both be home tomorrow. I want you to tell me more about your conversation with your family. Okay?” He sighed. “That they came to visit you is amazing. But right now, focus on the game.”
“Yes, okay, boss.” With Julian’s full immersion into the hockey world, he knew just when to set me straight. We made a good team.
“All right.” His breath hitched. “But call me after the game. There’s something you should consider on your way home.”
“Okay…” Now my interest was piqued. “How about you tell me now, so I won’t wonder what the hell it is through the entire game?” I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. I still had half an hour before the bus. “I have time.”
He released a long breath. “Damn it, okay.” He paused. “I’ve been thinking. With so much traveling, wouldn’t it be nice to just come home to each other and not have to—”
“Yes.” I knew where he was going. This past month, I’d had similar thoughts. “I love your place. It’s close to downtown, and we can walk to restaurants and shops. I live out in suburbia.” Could this day get any better?
“How do you know I don’t want to live in your beautiful mansion in suburbia?” He scoffed a laugh.
“I…I don’t. I was just stating my preference.” Shit, would he want to give up his fantastic condo with that view? I dropped onto the foot of the bed.
“I’m joking. I grew up in that neighborhood. I’m not keen on returning to it. A young gay power couple like us should live close to the action.” He giggled.
“Oh, thank God.” My brain went into overdrive, racing through the possibilities. Tapping my lips, I said, “You know, I could VRBO my place or rent it out, and then if we ever decided to live a quieter life, we could move into it.” There were so many options for us.
“If you VRBO, then you can leave your furniture there.” He huffed a laugh. “No offense, but I prefer my setup.”
Why was I not surprised? “I’m not married to my furniture. Hell, I didn’t even pick it out.” A full-on smile broke across my face. “Let’s sort this out on our next day off.”
“Sure.” He tsked. “Now, win the game for me, babe. I’ll be watching.”
“Absolutely.” I fell back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. We had such a brilliant future ahead of us. “Love you.”
“Love you more.” He made a kissing sound into the phone. “I miss you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”