Twenty-Seven
ZAK
Owen was gone for eight days. During that time, I watched the games as best I could, trying to follow what was going on. The most I could do was pay attention to the score to know when Owen’s team won or lost.
I watch their games on Sports Spot streaming zone or some shit. But I get most of my information from Toby Eads’ feed because I can mostly follow along. Once I even asked a question in his comments and he responded! He answered it without making me feel like an idiot.
Honestly, it was a shock to me when I was cheering so loudly for him. Even when he wasn’t on the ice, I was practically screaming at the screen.
Though I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to win or lose, I cheered until I was hoarse. Winning meant he got closer to the Stanley Cup that he so desperately wanted. But losing meant he’d come home and not have to be away for a while.
Selfish reasons or supportive boyfriend reasons? I could do both, right?
However, he’s home now. He’s been home for less than twenty-four hours, once again surprising me by leaving as soon as they won the last game and secured their spot in… whatever they called the next round. All I know is that he won against Florida. They are out and Owen’s team gets to move on.
* * *
I’ve been out with Clarinda all day, which kind of sucks because Owen could be called back at any time now.
He might only have this single day before the next team he’s against secures their spot or whatever.
But I made plans and while I knew Clarinda would understand if I backed out, Owen insisted I keep them.
I love hanging around with Clarinda. We always have things to talk about and I adore spending time with her siblings. Especially Logan. He’s just the sweetest damn kid. And I super love that since they live in one of Auntie Faith’s apartments, I get to see Auntie Faith often now too.
It’s a strange feeling of relief for them now that they’re there.
Their situation doesn’t affect me in the least, so I’m surprised by how much better I feel knowing they’re somewhere safe and secure.
No one will turn off their lights or heat.
No one will evict them for not paying rent.
Clarinda has helped to raise her siblings now when it was all on her shoulders before.
This is my first time visiting since Danielle moved back in. I’m surprised to see her hanging in the common area with the twins and Janessa. Playing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her play with her siblings, and I’ve been coming to Clarinda’s house since I was thirteen. It’s fucking wild.
It feels like the day will never end. I’m sure it’s dragging.
Every time I would start to say I’m heading home, either Clarinda or Auntie Faith had something else for us to do.
Or another in-depth story for me to listen to.
I might have thought it’s all a strange plan to get me to stay for a while, except that it’s far too devious for either of them.
They finally allow me to leave at four. In fact, Auntie Faith practically pushes me out the door and into her waiting car. Said she was taking the kids out for dinner and Clarinda had a date. The panic in Clarinda’s eyes said she definitely didn’t have a date, even as she nodded in agreement.
I text Owen on the way home to tell him I’m in the car and I want to cuddle when I get there. He sends me a heart in return, agreeing to my request. I wonder what he’ll make of the weird behavior I just left.
The ride isn’t long, so it’s no time at all before I’m waiting for the elevator to bring me to his floor.
I rarely have to wait for the elevator, but I’m practically vibrating from being so damn anxious to see him.
I’m determined not to leave his side again until he has to go to the next set of games.
He doesn’t even know who he’s playing yet, so I can’t practice booing that team.
Stepping into the condo, it’s quiet. Not that it’s ever loud unless my friends are over. I kick off my shoes and set them neatly next to Owen’s before hanging up my jacket.
The television isn’t on. There’s no one in the kitchen. In fact, the entire condo looks empty. I frown. “Owen?”
He doesn’t answer. I was so sure he’s home. He didn’t say he wasn’t when I texted.
I head for the bedroom, thinking maybe he’s in the shower and didn’t hear me come in. On the way, I bypass the guest bedroom and pause. The door is open about a foot. Which is weird. It’s never open unless someone’s here.
Is someone here? Placing a hand on the door, I gently push it open and my breath leaves my lungs entirely.
The room is transformed. Dominating one corner is a big draft table.
Across the room are two different sewing machines.
Along the wall to the back is a cubby system filled with different fabrics, and taking up the rest of the wall with the table is one of those clothing racks on wheels filled to the gills with clothes.
There’s a mannequin, and a computer station at a desk. There’s even a scan gun, though I’m not at all sure what that’s for. I recognize so many things as I stare into the room, but what makes me catch my breath is the sign on the wall that reads ‘Zak’s Closet.’
My hands tremble as I stand there, unsure what to think. Where did it all come from? How did it get here? How did Owen know?
There’s a wire rack system that’s empty but a sign over it reads ‘orders.’ Above the desk is a corkboard with a bunch of cool push pins. My eyes ping pong around the room, unsure of where to look. I notice something new with every pass.
I’m having a hard time catching my breath as I make a slow circuit around the room and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Owen standing in the doorway. He’s leaning casually against the frame, his hands in his pockets, a soft smile on his delicious lips.
“You did this?” I ask, voice shaking.
“I had some help, but yes.”
I shake my head, not sure what to say. What do I say? “I don’t…”
Owen’s smile widens and he steps into the room.
“So, I have many things to show you, but what I really want you to see is on the computer. Gravity helped me start a website and ShareIt account for your new business. We figure at first you’ll just create and sell things online, but eventually, you can take commission requests.
I have a template business card waiting for you to finish and then we’ll place the order.
We can pass them all around town. There’s a company credit card and a bank account.
Before you argue, I’m prepared to make it a loan if you won’t let me just invest in your company.
Six months interest and payment free, then we’ll negotiate something reasonable. I also have your first order.”
I’m stunned. Speechless. There’s so much to take in.
“You want to hear about the order, or should I walk you around the room first?”
“Where did the bed go?” I ask.
Owen chuckles. “I bought a Murphy bed kit. Linden and Menlo set it up in my keepsake room. We rearranged a little, so it serves a dual purpose.”
“No,” I say. “You can’t give up your room.”
His fingers grip my chin gently. “I didn’t give up my room. And even if I did, it’s entirely worth it to give you this, Zak.”
I can’t swallow. That should be a concern, right? Inhaling is really fucking difficult. Maybe I’m having a heart attack.
Owen kisses my lips lightly. “I had a lot of help to make sure I didn’t miss anything, but Gravity assures me I did because you’re pretty particular.
I got the top of the line sewing machine, but I kept the receipt in case there’s a different one you want.
And Zak, you best fucking tell me if that’s not the one you want. Understand?”
I nod, but I’m not sure I’m fully hearing his words at this point. He bought me a sewing machine!
“There’s also an embroidery machine because Gravity says you’ve wanted to use one for ages. We kind of guessed on it but he spoke to someone at the fabric shop and after nearly having her in tears, he got the information he was looking for. I have a feeling your boy can be a little scary.”
Laughter bubbles out of me because Gravity can be scary. He’s slightly threatening in the weirdest kind of way. Like you know he’s a marshmallow, but the gooey inside might be lined in arsenic.
“I can’t accept this,” I whisper.
“You can,” he tells me. “All I want is to make your every dream come true, Zak. I just need you to tell me what they are. I’m working on getting you Saturn, but NASA is being particularly stubborn and won’t sell it to me.”
I snort, more laughter escaping. Bowing my head, I lean against Owen’s shoulder.
“You want to hear about that first order?” Owen asks.
I nod. “Yeah.”
“At the end of the championship, there’s a black-tie event.
An honor night, if you will, where the league awards shit to players.
I want you to come with me. But I know that just any suit that I can buy isn’t your style.
So I want you to modify them however you see fit.
” He nods at the garment bags hanging on one of the hooks by the door that I hadn’t noticed yet.
“I’m not the kind of person who can attend?—”
“Don’t even start,” he says, his hand tightening on the back of my neck.
“If you don’t want to go, that’s okay. I will absolutely respect your wishes.
But don’t you dare tell me you don’t belong there.
I don’t care if you’re from Pluto, sunshine.
You’re my alien and I’ll always choose to have you by my side. ”
I pick my head up to meet his eyes with a brow raised. He’s already laughing. “Yeah, that came out weirder than I intended.”
I laugh.
“If there’s something you don’t have, buy it,” he tells me.
Taking a breath, I nod.
“One more project for you to work on,” he says.
“What?”
“I’m not much into design and décor. The condo came furnished and the one throw pillow and the pictures on the wall were my attempt at making it feel like my home.
I’d always kind of intended to have someone make it homier, but I’ve been here for three years and have yet to find the motivation to do so.
Gravity says you only upcycle clothes but if you want to do…
I don’t know, throws or pillow covers or…
wall art?” He shrugs. “I’m very, very happy to have all that.
Any room you want to put some touches on, I’d be ecstatic. ”
“You want me to decorate your house?” I ask.
“ Our house. And yes, even the cushions are fair game,” Owen says as he nods.
I’m so overwhelmed, so overcome with emotion, that I can’t form words. When they do come out, they’re not at all what I mean to say. Or maybe I do, but I’m not even conscious of the fact that they’re on their way out.
“I love you,” I say and wince because it startles me. “I think I’ve loved you since we met, but if I could fall in love all over again, I just did.”
Owen’s smile is wide. He just stares at me as I try not to hyperventilate right here and pass out. Though he’s smiling, he doesn’t speak as he stares into my eyes.
Minutes go by and while he doesn’t stop looking at me like I just gave him his coveted Stanley Cup, he doesn’t respond at all. “You need to say something, so I don’t die of embarrassment,” I mutter, feeling my cheeks heat.
My feet leave the ground as he hugs me. His grip is so tight that I can feel my ribs protesting. “I love you,” he says and my heart stops. Seriously, it stops. “Jesus, Zak, I fucking love you.”
“I can’t believe you did this for me,” I say, picking my legs up and wrapping them around his waist.
“I’m not sure when you’re going to hear what I’ve been telling you, but I’d do anything for you, babe. Anything at all.”
“Please know that I’m not touching anything in this room until you leave,” I say.
“Why? I’m happy to pull up a chair and watch you work.”
My cheeks heat at the thought. “Uh… maybe. But because I don’t want to miss one second touching you. We’re going to be busy right up until you have to get on that plane.”
“Yeah?” he asks, pulling back enough to look at me. I’m loving the fact that he looks confused. “What do you have in mind?”
“Take me to bed, Owen,” I say and heat immediately flares in his eyes. “I’m shit at initiating anything, which I think you’ve noticed. This has been cruel and I can’t take it anymore. Put your dick in me and keep it there until you’re called back to work.”
His mouth cuts off any more words, and I’m fucking grateful. My cheeks were already burning. Anything else that might come out of my mouth would be horrendously horrifying.
“Just so it’s clear,” I say when his mouth moves to my neck, “this is a blanket request. Fuck me all the time, Owen. Understand?”
He groans. “Yes. I understand completely.”
“Please don’t make me say it again,” I beg.
“Oh, you’re going to say it again,” he says, his voice growly and sexy and making my dick leak. “I don’t ever want a time to come when those words won’t leave your mouth. But I still understand.”
I’m not even going to argue right now. All I want is to ride this man for the rest of the night. For the rest of my life.