“How did you know that Seth and Noel were the ones? Did you fall in love instantly, or was it gradual? Like, over time you realized you were into both of them. That you wanted to spend the rest of your life with them.”
“That’s...Wow, that’s a lot to ask. I mean, Noel and I were friends first. It just sort of felt natural for us to fall in love, too. Seth was another story. That took some convincing.” Wyatt paused. “But he was the beautiful enigma I was fascinated by. He wasn’t shy about the fact he wanted to sleep with both Noel and me. But that was all he had wanted in the beginning. Seth was scared, though. Of giving himself to us. He thought he wasn’t good enough. Which he was. He was too good for us, if I’m being honest.”
My heart thumped against my chest. “How did you convince him that he was? That you loved him, too?”
“We didn’t convince him, Cole. We showed him. And we still do that every change we get.” Wyatt mussed up my hair. “Reed is here tonight, if that helps you at all.”
My eyes went wide. “He is?”
That had to be good, right? I hadn’t reached out to him after he left. I didn’t want to push him. I figured Reed would come to me when he was ready. Was that tonight? Had he come here tofix things between us. Or maybe he was going to end it once and for all before he went back to New York.
“This is a good thing,” Wyatt assured me. “He’s sitting in the VIP section again. With your dads. With the rest of the WAGs.” He smiled. “Reed is one of us now. We’re going to take good care of him.”
I stared at him. “You mean, you let him into the group chat?”
“That’s not up to me. That’s all Ezra. But he likes Reed. And Zach, too.”
“Zach was brought into the chat, too? I thought it was only for partners?”
Wyatt chuckled. “That’s something you’ll have to ask them about.” He paused, then stood. “All right, everyone! Listen up!” Wyatt waited for the locker room to grow quiet. “I want you all to go out there tonight and give it your best. I know we’re exhausted, we’re hurt, and we’re battered. But we’re this fucking close to winning another Cup.” He held his thumb half an inch from his index finger. “I know you all want this as much as I do. It will be worth all the blood, sweat, and tears when you’re hoisting it above your head. Let’s go kick some ass!”
We all cheered while we knocked our sticks against the floor in solidarity. Wyatt winked at me before he headed out to the ice, and I followed right behind.
WE BEAT SEATTLE SIXto two. Wyatt scored a hat trick, and I was pretty sure I heard both of his husbands screaming from the crowd. I couldn’t help but look up to where I knew Reed would be sitting with the WAGs. With my dads. I wondered what he was thinking about while this happened. Was he happy for me or was he hardly paying attention? Maybe he was there just to be with his friends. And that he would go home before I had achance to talk to him again. The thought made my stomach twist into knots.
“Are you coming out to celebrate?” Oscar surprised me with that question.
I grinned. “Are you?”
“Fuck off, Whitaker.” His ears burned pink as he ducked his head. “And yes. I am.”
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
The bar was packed solid with friends, family, and fans as we headed inside. I couldn’t move without someone telling me congratulations. Some asked for a selfie, others for an autograph, and I even had a couple of girls give me their phone numbers. I didn’t want to be rude, but I wouldn’t use them. They weren’t who I wanted. I looked around the bar, trying to find Reed, hoping he was somewhere in the crowd of people. I nearly swallowed my own tongue when I saw Oscar kiss Tate, who was holding Zach’s hand. Okay, that was new.
“Well, shit,” I muttered. Guess he had a lot of things to fill me in on.
Dad found me first. His smile spread wide across his face as he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. Then Dean told me how proud he was of me. But it was the thin, blond man standing behind them who had all my attention. Reed was here. He was here, and he was smiling at me; his honey-colored eyes filled with happiness. Was he still mad at me for the way I yelled at him? I owed him an apology. I had no right to get so upset.
“Hi.” Reed ducked his head as I stepped closer. “Great job out there tonight.”
I gripped his chin between my thumb and forefinger to force him to look at me. “Can I kiss you?”
Reed leaned forward and pressed his plump pink lips against mine. They tasted faintly like lemonade, and I wondered what hehad been drinking. I slipped my arm around his waist and pulled him flush against me before he broke the kiss.
“I’m so glad you’re here, baby,” I whispered.
“Really?” Reed dug his teeth into his bottom lip. “I wasn’t sure—”
“I love you,” I said firmly. “And I shouldn’t have pried into things that weren’t any of my business.”
His dark eyes grew sad. “You only did it because you care about me.” Reed let out a slow breath. “I’m going to start seeing a therapist. About my eating disorder. And I think I might come home for a while. Get away from the city.”
“Home? Here? To North Carolina?” Was that because he wanted to be with me or because he was sick?
Reed nodded. “I need a break.” He reached for my hand and threaded our fingers together. “And I want to spend time with you. Try to make things work between us if you’re still willing.”
“Fuck yes.” I kissed him again. I couldn’t stop myself. Reed wanted to be with me. He was going to come home to me. “But what about ballet?”