As my heart pinched, I winced. I didn’t enjoy hearing this, but in a way, it gave me a goal. Meet his parents and make them love me too.
He pressed a long kiss on my mouth. “Don’t worry, they’ll love you just as much when you meet them.” He brushed his knuckles across my cheek.
“Thanks.” He’d read my mind. I breathed in deeply. There was only my father to worry about, but at least he wouldn’t force me to date anyone. My gaze searched Tex’s face. He sure was throwing the wordlovearound a lot. Was my love for him returned? It wouldn’t be fair to find out until we could make our relationship public. “So, Thanksgiving?” We had plans to make.
“Let’s plan our own thing.” He glanced toward my kitchen. “How about I prepare a turkey breast with all the fixings over here and we have a relaxing day together?” The corner of his mouth quirked. “We can eat, drink and nap while watching football on the couch.”
I chuckled. “Sounds like a perfect day.” I had so much to look forward to this holiday season. I’d never had a partner to share it with. I’d like him to stay the night on Thanksgiving, but he’d need to prepare for his game.
“I want you to come to the football game the day after. Maybe see if Evan is in town?” He skimmed his hand in a circle on my shoulder, leaving a slight tickle.
“Yeah, I’ll see.” I worried my lower lip. “Maybe after, we can tell Malik and Grey about us.” Nodding slowly, I let a surge of adrenaline pass. I could do this. “I think I’ll be ready by then.”
“Okay. We’ve got a plan.” He pressed a hard kiss on my cheek. “Now, how about my damn analytics assignment?”
“Oh, of course.” With a grin, I hopped off the couch. “Gatorade?” Funny how this had become a habit from the beginning.
“Absolutely.” He rose and grabbed his backpack.
With Texand Evan away for games, I dedicated my weekend to my assignments and thesis draft completion. My student numbers had dwindled, leaving only those facing upcoming final exams.
As I read through some material for a finance class on mylaptop while sitting on my couch, my phone buzzed on the coffee table, readingEvan Crosbyacross the top. With a grin, I started the call. It had seemed like ages since I’d called him in a panic at the stadium. I’d texted updates since then, but we hadn’t spoken. “Hey, Evan. How are you?”
“Great. I’m just sitting in a hotel room with some time to kill before my game in Chicago. It’s cold as fuck out there.” He chuckled.
“It’s November. It’s supposed to be cold.” I settled deeper into the couch. “You grew up in Rochester. You should be used to it.” After living here, I never wanted to return to cold, snowy winters.
“Yeah, but I’ve lived in Arizona too long. My blood thinned,” he said. “It’s been a while. How are you doing? Have you come clean with Tex’s roommates yet?”
“No, but I plan to right after Thanksgiving.” Shit, would he be around? “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” I shifted. I didn’t want him spending it alone, but I wanted to have some quality time with Tex.
“I’ll be home Thanksgiving Day and Friday, but I have a home game on Saturday.” He breathed. “Lucas and Ezra invited me over, so I’ll spend it with them. In fact, Mason Hopkins and Jett Jarvis will also be there. It’ll be a hockey Thanksgiving.” He snorted.
“Oh, good.” I’d get to spend the day with the man I loved. Just the two of us. Warmth bloomed across my chest. I’d have to make it a special day.
“What about you? You could come over and bring Tex if you want,” he said. “I’m sure none of them will out you to the damn college.”
“No, I’m spending the day with Tex.” I inhaled deeply through the stitch in my chest. I’d done some anxiety work and had the tools I needed to get through it. Now I needed to practice them. “I plan on telling them about us the week after theholiday. The semester is almost over and…well, I want him to spend the night.” Plus, it would be better to tell them after they resolved the issues they were facing.
“Oh, that’s a big step.” His breath snagged. “You haven’t spent the night with him yet? I assume you’ve fucked.”
My jaw dropped. “Yes, we’ve fucked, but he’s never spent the night. We didn’t know what to tell his roommates.” It seemed a little silly and overcautious now.
“Uh, there are so many excuses you could have used, but whatever. You do you.”
“I’ve done more work with my therapist. It’s helping, so I feel more confident about this.” I glanced through the open window and into the sunny afternoon outside, a warm breeze floating through the room. “I can do this, Evan. Tex is worth it.”
“Buddy, I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. Tex is a great guy and you both deserve to love in the open.”
“Thanks. We’ve um, started talking about my mom’s death.” I rubbed the tightness threatening my chest. This was a big step for me. “I have so much resentment over my dad not being there.”
“Hell, you should. Who does that to a kid? Or to their own wife, even?” He scoffed. “You need to tell him how you feel about that someday.”
“Yeah, I know. My therapist wants me to write a letter to him to get it all out. I probably won’t give him the letter, but at least it’s a place I can vent.” I had yet to do this. Maybe after the semester was over and I’d gotten through everything else.
“But you will tell him, right? He needs to know.” He tutted. “Maybe someday you’ll tell him the truth about your visit to the ER, too. He should know how badly off you were.”
“Someday.” Or never. I wasn’t sure it mattered now. I glanced at my laptop. I should end this call, and the topic was getting uncomfortable. The game… “Hey since you’re in town, would you like to join me at the last game of the season for ASU? They play U of A, so it’ll be a rival game.” I teased the hem of my shirt.