Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ian’s parents had been visiting for a full week so far. JP liked them well enough, and the kids adored them, but a week was a long time for company, and at present there was no indication they were planning on leaving anytime soon.
He snuck out to the backyard with his morning coffee and sat, his cane next to him. He was just going to take a few moments to himself.
It was great that Irene and Stephen were in a hotel, but—
It was early, and yet they were already here with doughnuts, and he needed to sit and talk with Ian.
Florida had made their final offer, but he wasn’t going to take it until he’d spoken to Ian about it. They were a team now, and he liked the way that felt. And this was a huge decision.
If they went to Florida, they’d make more money, but the relief on Ian’s face when he’d said no had been worth any amount of money.
It meant the world that Ian had been willing to come with him, too. No arguments, no threats. Just, “We need to be together”.
He took a sip of his coffee and closed his eyes, raising it up to the early morning sunshine.
“Dad?” Peter came up to him, voice so quiet. “Can I play out here if I’m quiet?”
“Of course you can, Petey.” He tousled his boy’s hair.
“Thank you,” Peter whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Peter.” His sweet, smart son.
“I know!” Peter giggled quietly and sat down on the grass, grinning at him.
He laughed softly. “Good.” He put his head back and closed his eyes again.
Peter was buzzing his lips, driving his toy trucks around the grass, the sound sweet and soft.
It was so domestic. He waited for it to not be enough, for the need to be on the ice to overtake this domestic moment.
There was sadness; he loved skating and playing so hard. But this was good. It was so good. And he was pretty sure it would be enough.
“I am carrying the rocks in my truck. My truck goes so fast.” The sweet little song was dear.
He found himself humming along, grinning.
This was his life.
He wasn’t sure he deserved it, but it didn’t matter. He had two children who loved him, even if he hadn’t been there for them. And he had a husband who was willing to uproot his whole life to be with him. Even if he hadn’t been three years ago.
His phone beeped and he looked to find a text from Angus Castlewood, one of his fellow Canadian players in Florida. He was surprised; the guys had texted him a lot the first week or so after his surgery, but then the contact faded, as it did, and now he barely heard from any of them at all.
hey dude. how’s it going?
better everyday
good deal
you?
He wondered what was up. It was nice to get a text asking how he was doing from one of his teammates, but it seemed out of the blue.
good. good.
JP waited while the three little dots sat there on his phone.
in town atm wanna get together?
Oh. Huh. That actually would be nice.
sure. gimme a few to talk to ian
sounds good – around for a few days so whatever works for you
cool ttyl
ditto
Huh. Interesting. Angus was the team goaltender, and he had been for a long time. He’d been the first one on the team to befriend JP, and they’d had a good time together during their down time. They had a lot in common, both being from Ottawa.
He looked back at the house, wondering if Ian was possibly at the door or window so he could wave him out.
Sure enough, Ian was watching them through the kitchen door, drinking coffee and smiling gently.
He smiled – he always did these days when he caught Ian looking at him – and waved Ian over to join him.
Ian opened the screen door and came out. “Did you need more coffee, love?”
“No. Come sit for a minute. Gotta ask you something.”
Ian nodded and settled in one of the chairs. “Sure. Is everything all right? I think Mom and Dad are heading out after lunch today.”
“Oh, cool. That works well. I got a text from Angus. Florida’s goalie. He’s in town and was wondering about getting together. I thought we could have him over for dinner? Maybe tomorrow? We can order in. Steaks from Al’s or something.”
“Sure. Or I can make lasagna or something too, if you want. I’m easy.”
He wasn’t sure if Ian remembered how much Angus could eat…
“You’ve been cooking for a crowd for over a week, Chou. I’m not going to make you cook for Angus. Do you think the kids’ll eat steak?” He could totally order from somewhere else if they needed to get nuggets or something for the kids.
“They’ll try a few bites and devour potatoes and veggies.”
“Then we’ll get steaks and lobster tails and salads and have a feast. And tomorrow’s okay with you?”
“Perfect. Is he staying in town? Does he need the guest room?” Ian reached out and stroked the hair from his forehead.
“I didn’t ask.” He grabbed his phone. “Are you up to having a visitor? Is Tori?” His family came first, though he’d love to have someone to talk hockey with for a while. He’d bet Tori would love jawing with him too. Another hockey pucker.
“She’s not even hurting now. She’s irritated that it’s ‘more and more days’ before she can go run and play.”
“I know the feeling.” He gave Ian an exaggerated pout.
“You’re getting better every day. Every day.” Ian stared him down, so serious.
He reached for Ian’s hand, twining their fingers together. “I know, Chou.” He was never going to be as well as he wanted, though. He just needed to make his peace with that.
Then he squeezed Ian’s hand and grabbed his phone.
need a place to stay? guest rooms empty
subletting a condo. Looking 4 a house
Okay. Whoa.
That was unexpected.
Looked like they had more than just his injuries to catch up on.
supper tomorrow?
sure!
come around 3
can do
He sent the address and put his phone back in his pocket.
“He’s got a place to stay, but he’ll be here around three tomorrow.”
“Excellent. It’ll be fun.” Ian smiled up from where he’d been looking at one of Peter’s trucks. “Are you excited?”
“I’m looking forward to it, yes. I haven’t spoken to anyone on the team since I came back.” He’d been too busy healing and reconnecting with his family to worry about what was going on with them.
“Good deal. I never got to be a WAG for you, so maybe now I can.”
“Only I’m not a player anymore.” Still, he supposed it worked.
“Eh, you’ll be a coach. That’ll make me the High Supreme Husband.”
“The High Supreme Husband…” He looked at Ian like he’d lost his mind.
“Uh-huh. Don’t you think I qualify?” Ian fluttered his eyelashes.
He laughed. “I suppose you do, at that.”
“See? I knew you’d come around to my way of thinking.”
“I usually do. Even if it takes me three years and major surgery.”
Ian twisted his lips. “I love you. I made a mistake not following you. I was scared and angry, and I didn’t know what to do.”
“I love you too, Chou. And you aren’t the only one to blame. I think we should focus on the future and leave the past behind us.”
Ian nodded to him, reached out and took his hand. “So, we’re not going down to Florida. Are you looking for something here?”
“Yeah. I’ve told David that’s what I want. And I’m putting out some feelers. It would be great if I could stay in the game in some capacity.”
“You’ve got amazing hockey IQ, you know the game, and you love strategizing. You’ll find something.” Ian shrugged, the move easy. “And if you don’t, I’ll go back to teaching.”
“Well I’m getting a big enough settlement, the condo and my car in Florida will sell for a good mount, and if we invest properly, neither of us might need to work.
” That was his hope, anyway. He wanted to stay involved in hockey, but it would be nice if there was no pressure on either of them to have to work.
“We’ll work it out, together.” Ian winked at him. “You have to be your daughter’s hockey coach, after all.”
“Indeed. Can you imagine?” She was going to be both a handful and amazing for whoever wound up coaching her. And he could admit that he did want that to be him.
“Yeah. Actually yes.” Ian shook his head. “Seriously, you’re going to help her be the best ‘hockey pucker’.”
“I am. She’s going to rule the hockey puckin’ world.” He laughed. God, she was something else, special and he loved her so much. He loved them all so much.
“And our sweet, kind boy is going to make the world so happy.”
“He’s going to invent a million things.” His son was so clever.
“It wouldn’t surprise me a—”
“Daddy!” Tori came hurtling out of the back door. “Gramma is going to take us to the park. Petey, come on!”
So much for not running.
“Are you going to be gentle on your arm?” JP asked. He would be the bad guy and tell her no if he had to.
She squealed to a halt, eyes wide and innocent. “So good.”
Ian almost hid his smile.
Almost.
“I’m going to tell Grandma and Grandpa that you have to come home if you do too much.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I will tell them.”
“You will, will you?” JP was not looking at Ian. Not.
“Uh-huh. I will say, ‘Tori needs to be careful’.”
“Maybe you should remind yourself of that too, eh?” He held out an arm to offer her a hug.
She ran right to him, hugging him tight. “Do you want to come to the park too, Dad?”
“That would be fun, wouldn’t it? I think I’m going to sit right here, though and enjoy the sunshine. But thank you for the invitation.”
“‘kay.” She pursed her lips. “Petey. You hafta come! It’s Gramma!”
Peter got up and dusted his knees off. “I come with you and Gramma.”
Tori beamed at her brother. “Yay! It’s better with you.”
Peter seemed to get taller, he was so proud.
JP knew they could fight – he’d seen the evidence himself – but they also loved each other fiercely and would do anything for each other. It was cute and sweet but also felt so right for them.
“Come on, you two. I’ll make sure Gramma can manage you two.” Ian stood and winked at him. “I’ll be back.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.” And he really was. An hour at least of just the two of them. He was pretty sure this was going to be the first time they were going to be alone together in the house.
He wasn’t sure he wasn’t going to steal kisses as well as discuss things like an adult. In fact, he was pretty sure he wanted to steal more than just kisses. Maybe talking wouldn’t take very long. Maybe Ian would want that too.
Ian was back in a few minutes, bringing him a cup of cocoa and a muffin. “Hey, love. They’re off.”
“Does that mean we’re alone now?” He let his eyebrows go up.
“It does. At least for a second.” Ian leaned down and kissed him.
He reached for Ian, fingers wrapping around his shoulder as he kissed Ian back. Their lips slid together and then he opened, inviting Ian in.
The sound Ian gave him was pure hunger, low and sweet and his.
That was what he needed. For Ian to be his.
He met Ian’s passion with his own, putting everything into the kiss, silently communicating how good it was, how he needed more.
“Mmm…I can’t wait until I can ride you. I think I’ve reverted to a virgin…” Ian’s eyes twinkled.
He groaned, his cock firming up immediately. “If you did all the work, and I just lay there…” It could work, right? Because suddenly he wanted Ian, just like that, desperately.
“I don’t want to hurt you, love. It would hurt my soul.”
“If it starts hurting we’ll stop.” He met Ian’s gaze and let his need show.
“I—Tonight?” Ian scooted closer, hand on his crotch as those lips brushed his ear. “I’ll need you to get me ready for you, stretch me out.”
His eyes closed as a low, needy moan pushed past his lips, his cock completely hard now like it was rising toward Ian’s touch.
“No one can see us…is this okay? To touch you?”
He made a garbled sound. Like he was going to say no to Ian touching him. He nodded, managed to say, “Please.”
Ian was quick, easing his cock out, stroking him with steady but easy strokes, thumb dragging through his slit every time. “You’re so fine to me, love.”
He wasn’t sure he could make actual words form, but he did manage a bit out, “Ditto,” as he grabbed Ian’s hip and held on.
Ian chuckled softly, still whispering. “I can’t wait until you’re inside me, loving on me, stretching me.”
He made this noise, hips bucking, cock leaking over Ian’s hand. He didn’t remember Ian being so bold, but he liked it.
“I’m going to ride you and shoot all over you, milking your cock.”
“Fuck!” He bit the word out, bucking again, so fucking close, it wasn’t going to take much more before he came all over Ian’s hand.
“Love you, JP. I am so fucking glad we’re together again. Half of my soul was missing.”
“Love you, Chou. Love you.” He barely got the words out around the growing pleasure taking him over, but they were important. Ian was important.
“I love you, JP. Come for me, please.” Ian nipped his earlobe.
His whole body went tight and he shot, come spraying up over Ian’s hand, the pleasure surging through his body.
His husband had just jacked him off in their backyard.
He blinked at Ian, head lolling. “Whoa.”
Ian’s chuckle was soft, warm. Happy.
His eyelids were so heavy, and the temptation to just lie back and bask in the afterglow was huge. But Ian had to be wanting too, right? Right. He wasn’t going to just take, Ian deserved better than that.
“What do you need, Chou?” His voice was husky.
“Mmm…I’ll wait for tonight.” Ian pulled off his T-shirt and cleaned JP up, tucking his cock back in. “Let me put this in the wash and get another shirt. You look comfy.”
Once again, Ian was taking care of everyone and putting his own needs off. JP was going to have to figure out how to deal with this. He knew having a cleaner come in twice a week and ordering supper more often was helping, but it wasn’t enough.
“This doesn’t seem fair…”
Ian beamed at him. “I can enjoy the anticipation, love. Besides, what if the kids come back, and Michael’s due in soon...”
Okay, maybe Ian had a point. Anybody could come into the backyard at any second, and that would be even more unfair. “Okay, Chou. But tonight? You ride.”
“Unless it hurts, okay?” Ian leaned in, stole a kiss. “If you’re not up to it, I’ll figure out something else.”
“I’ll be up for it.” He wasn’t going to be the one doing the work – it would be fine.
Ian waggled his eyebrows, obviously playing with him. “I hope so.”
He laughed, delighted. Ian made him so happy. He just hoped he could do the same for his husband.