“Tomorrow? No.” At least he didn’t think so.
Beck glanced at him and hauled the bags to the bedroom. “A meet and greet? They’re going to call you. Mark my words.”
“I’ve got the fan meet in the morning. That’s enough.”
“You’re on the roster for tomorrow.”
“Don’t,” he hissed. “Drop it.”
He knew, and he just wouldn’t show and take the fine. It was no big. He’d talk to Cody and them. No big.
Beck put a hand against the small of his back. “Parker, this is going to be a long week. Don’t push. Sky will show when he wants to and only when he wants to. Got it?”
“Jesus. Sorry. He’s stressed out, huh?” Parker clinked their bottles together. “Dude. I was just being a bitch. You want to hit me? I’d look sexy as fuck with a black eye.”
“Let me know when you’re ready, so I can take his beer. Don’t want that on the carpet.” Beck winked at Sky.
“You both shut it. I’m not at work yet. Not until tomorrow.”
“Drink your beer, babe. I still have plans for you.” There was a knock at the door. “Pizza’s on you, Parker.” Beck got out of the way.
“Yeah, yeah. So ungrateful.” Parker was laughing as he said it.
“You want me to get rid of him?” Beck whispered.
“He’ll pout.” Sky was so goddamn tired. No. He was frustrated. His mood was swinging like he was on old Bodacious.
“One hour, then. And then I’ll send him off.” Beck kissed his forehead and took his hand to pull him to a little table. “Might as well come sit and eat.”
“Works for me.” He sat, remembering when his happy ass could eat pizza and still be light enough to ride.
Parker came back with two pizzas and set them on the table with some paper plates. “Dig in, gentlemen.”
Beck opened the boxes. “Oh. Right on, Parker. I love olives.”
“I know. So does your weirdo husband.”
He grinned at Parker, then flipped him off.
“Mhm. We’re good for each other that way.”
He felt Beck’s eyes on him as he reached for a slice, watching him. It felt amazing, to have Beck here, to have it be here. He’d fantasized for years—to be at Finals with Beck, to win a championship with Beck watching.
Beck pushed a chair over close to him and sat to munch on a slice. “So you’re riding tomorrow, Park?”
“Yeah. You’ll pull my rope, man? For luck?” Parker grinned at him, and Jesus, the kid was still a baby somehow.
Beck snorted. “Pretty sure Sky just said he didn’t want to be there.”
“Dude, I’ve never done a finals where you didn’t pull my rope.”
He wasn’t sure if he could. Jesus, wasn’t that a sobering thought? He’d fallen so low that he couldn’t pull rope. “Excuse me, y’all. Travel tummy.”
He went to lock himself in the bathroom, splash water on his face, and chill the fuck out.
Outside the bathroom door there was a short conversation in low voices, and then nothing but quiet. They left him alone for a little bit, but not long enough.
“Babe? You okay in there?” Beck knocked lightly on the door. “Parker left to check into his hotel. Can I come in?”