“I could tell you some stories.” Killian dropped into the chair next to us and yanked his husband, Matthias, onto his lap. “Why are you looking at me like that, babe?”
Matthias rolled his eyes, then pushed the hair from Killian’s forehead. “Behave yourself.”
“I’m always on my best behavior,” Killian assured him. “You two have gotten pretty close.”
And there it was. Was Hutch having Killian check up on his son while he was gone for the weekend for a NASCAR race?Should I have asked his permission to date Reed or something? Did people still do that sort of thing?
“Knock it off, Kill. They’re adults. They can make their own decisions,” Maverick called, his hands on his hips as he stared in our direction, a smile tugging at his lips.
Killian snorted. “He’s already marrying you off just like Leo and Andy.” His eyes darted over to where those two were sitting with his son, Archer, along with Felix and Ford.
Marrying us...What? Every muscle in my body went rigid. I wasn’t ready for that yet. I cared for Reed, and I could see a future together, but we’d have to see how a long-distance relationship would work first. If we made it to Thanksgiving and Christmas, we could see where this would go from there.
“Relax, Casanova,” Reed cooed in my ear. “I can feel you freaking out right now. They’re joking.”
“They’re really not.” Leo eased into the chair next to my boyfriend. Archer was right next to him. Beaming happily like they were the best of friends; he lifted his arms until Leo picked him up. “Maverick simply wants everyone to be as happy as he is with Jackson. But don’t worry. He’s not going to force you to buy an engagement ring yet.”
I forced a smile. “I like Reed a lot.” That wasn’t a lie. I did. I could probably see a future with him if I let myself dream about it. We had our entire lives ahead of us. We hadn’t stopped to talk about anything yet. “We’re young. We have our entire futures to think about.” But what if? What if Reed was the one and I ruined this again?
“Andy and I are, too. We just plan on getting married as soon as we can. But we knew right away that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. You and Reed have plenty of time to figure things out. But you do make a cute couple. Huh, Arch?” Leo ruffled Archer’s curls playfully.
Archer giggled happily as he nodded in agreement. “Cute.”
Reed brushed his lips over mine. “We do make a cute couple.”
“We do.” Even I knew that. I might have stared at the pictures of us a little too often. Reed was ridiculously beautiful. I wasn’t even sure what he saw in me. My hair was a little too curly, and my nose was too big. He could have his pick of anyone.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” Tate interrupted all the seriousness, and for that, I was grateful. “I was trying to get everything ready for tomorrow morning and time just got away from me.” He waved happily when he saw me sitting across the yard and hurried over to say hello. “I’m so glad you’re still here. I have to tell you something. In private, if that’s okay.”
Reed laughed softly as he got to his feet. “That’s fine. Leo can show me how he puts on that eyeliner he’s always wearing. I would love to do that the next time I’m on stage.”
“Really?” Leo gasped. “Because honestly, your cheekbones are amazing, and I would love to get my hands on them. Professionally, of course.” He reached for my boyfriend’s hand and carried Archer away as they headed toward the house.
Tate quickly planted himself in the vacated seat next to mine. “Remember that guy?”
“Um, the ones whose name you wouldn’t tell me?” I raised my brows, because of course, I remembered. “Are you going to tell me now?”
Tate shook his head as his cheeks burned pink. “No, but he followed the coffee shop on Instagram and then commented on one of my posts. And sent me a DM. What do I do?”
“He’s not a creep or anything, is he?” I tilted my head.
Tate chewed on his lip. “No, he’s nice. Oscar is—” He slapped his hand over his mouth, and his ears burned pink. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“It’s Oscar?”
I knew Oscar Lane. He had been teammates with my father back in Boston. And Oscar was nice. A little naïve but sweet. Kind. A lot like Tate. They would make an adorable couple if they could make things work; if that’s what they wanted. Now I understood the secrecy.
Tate didn’t say anything for what felt like forever. “You won’t say anything, will you? You can’t, Cole. Not even to Reed. We met once when the Panthers played Boston, and he was so kind to me. We talked for what felt like hours, and he told me to follow him, but I was too nervous. But I kept thinking about it. And after I told you the other day, I kept thinking about him. And now I’m terrified.”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone,” I assured him. “But you need to message him back before Oscar thinks you don’t like him.”
Tate giggled. “I like him plenty. He’s so cute. And tall. And nice. Funny. I wonder if he’s seeing anyone. Do you think he’d ever think of me like that?” Once again, he was blushing.
“He would be crazy not to.”
Tate took his phone out of his pocket and held out a picture for me to see. It was Oscar in all his goalie gear, his mask sitting on the top of his head. He had to be at least a foot taller than Tate.
“You should message him back.”