And Nick hadn’t been able to say a word. He’d still been taking the moment in—and it was over too soon. But Nick could still feel Reece’s hand on his shoulder, and his support was so genuine that Nick could only close his eyes and thank him silently. It was more than he deserved, more than he could’ve hoped for. Reece would be okay. Nick would be okay. They would be okay and they could still love each other and be friends, just like it was always meant to be.
Kent’s hand laid over Nick’s under the table, and Nick saw him smiling for the first time since Reece left. It was a soft, pleased smile that Nick found himself matching.
35
Chapter 35 - Reece
Reece thought seeing Nick would hurt. He thought he’d look at Nick and think about everything he lost, everything he’d never have again. Then he saw Nick, and Reece felt relieved for the first time since Nick walked away from him.
Seeing him reminded Reece of how gorgeous Nick was. Those beautiful blue eyes captivating even from the side. He only looked for a few seconds before Nick saw him, and then Nick didn’t look away, but Reece couldn’t dare to meet his gaze directly. Not until he calmed his racing heart. Thankfully, Kent helped. Reece had been so sad after never getting to say goodbye, so seeing him again helped give Reece some closure he didn’t realize he needed.
Every second with Kent, Reece debated how he should approach Nick. It was something he thought a lot about since knowing he’d not only be able to attend the draft but also sit with the eligible players, so he’d have access to Nick’s table too.
Nick had ended things with him, but he never said they couldn’t still be friends. Maybe they’d need time for things to be easier, but Reece still wanted to be in Nick’s life if he could. Even if from a distance. Even if he had to be silent. So, he moved to Nick with a smile, letting his feelings—his love for Nick—carry him there. Those deep blue eyes threatened to pull Reece under, but he knew he couldn’t stay too long. There was no time, and he wouldn’t make Nick uncomfortable at such an important event.
Under Nick’s black suit was a white button-down. He was always dressing so casually that seeing him like this made Reece want to remember it forever. He knew he’d never actually forget this moment anyway. His deep brown skin made his blue eyes pop. Nick had a fresh fade with a neat line cut through his brow and up the side of his head. The material of the suit was so smooth. Expensive. Reece laid his hand on Nick’s shoulder and knew by the way Nick looked at him that he was glad Reece had come. So Reece was able to speak to him easily. He was able to walk away without his heart breaking, and felt Nick watching him with every step.
“Nicky seems so calm,” Reece said to Alex once he was seated next to him. He’d glanced back at Nick but immediately looked away when he found Nick was still looking at him. Reece’s cheeks burned.
“He already knows where he’s going.”
“Amazing…” He would never stop taking Reece’s breath away, it seemed. “I-is he looking over here?”
“Oh yeah.”
Reece looked at Alex who was smirking about it, his dark eyes mischievous. Reece didn’t know why Nick was looking so much but it made him stupidly happy. Made his heart skip a beat. Made his face break out in a grin.
Once the first pick was in and the announcer called Nick’s name, Reece stood and clapped along with the rest of theirfriends and Kent, who looked proud and was as teary-eyed as Reece.
Nick loved basketball so much, always excelling at it, and rarely finding a proper challenge for himself. Now he would be going to the big league and living out his dream. After hugging Kent, Nick walked to the stage, took the hat waiting for him and placed it on his head. He exchanged a few words with the announcer.
His life was about to change drastically. Reece was glad to know he’d have Kent to make sure he was eating well, and he was sure that he’d have plenty of resources to take care of his body, but Reece would probably still worry about him.
The cameras followed Nick on his way back to his table, capturing every moment as he stopped and bumped fists with Alex and then got hooked into a hug by Declan. Reece watched him with bated breath, eyes wide because while he expected to be skipped over, he was stunned when Nick instead wrapped him in a tight hug.
Reece, despite his shock, didn’t hesitate to wrap his own arms around Nick. If he could’ve held on for eternity, he would’ve. Nick smelled and felt like home. So warm. So strong. He’d managed to keep his tears at bay until then. But everything came out at once when Nick held him like that. Reece thought Nick would never embrace him again, but here he was, holding onto Reece like he couldn’t let go. Like he’d never let go.
“I’m so proud of you, Nicky,” Reece managed to say, though his voice was embarrassingly wobbly.
Nick lifted his head, his eyes meeting Reece’s for an instant that felt somehow eternal. His lips parted but instead of speaking, he looked down to Reece’s mouth, and for a moment, Reece thought that Nick was going to kiss him. Because he knew that look. He couldfeelit. But then a mic was thrust between them, and they pulled apart. Nick turned to the reporter,rubbing his eyes as he faced the camera, and Reece tried to back away, to retreat so Nick could be interviewed properly, but Nick draped his arm around Reece’s shoulder and kept him there.
In the end, Reece was even able to share a few words about Nick, giving a little insight that others wouldn’t know about him. When they asked Nick if he was nervous, he told them that he wasn’t because it was just basketball, but that he was excited for his career to take off. Kent joined too, and it was wholesome and beautiful, and Reece felt truly happy.
The draft continued, Declan being called as the next pick, and Reece pulled himself away from Nick because if he didn’t, he would definitely end up embarrassing himself. Nick’s hand stayed on him, sliding down the full length of Reece’s arm as he turned, and went as far as grabbing Reece’s hand before Reece could tug his away and cradle it to his chest.
Maybe Nick was just happy and didn’t realize what he was doing, but he was making Reece feel all these things, giving him all these ideas, and for what? Reece took his seat and was grateful when Declan made his rounds, anything to ground him again, to help him calm down and stop overthinking everything.
It was an emotional ride, the event lasting two and a half hours. When it was all over and everyone was leaving, Reece joined the guys to say his goodbyes. He hugged Alex and then Declan crushed them both to his broad chest.
Reece went to Kent next, arms wrapping around the older man’s neck.
“It was so good to see you, Kenny. Take care of Nicky for me,” Reece whispered into his ear before pulling back to admire Kent at arm’s length.
Kent nodded once, wiping the corner of his eye with a sniffle. “I will.”
“You’re not leaving yet,” Nick said, and Reece looked at him, eyes wide. Nick scratched the back of his head, avoiding his gaze. “I mean, we’re just about to take pictures.”
“Oh…” Did that mean that Nick wanted him to stay a little longer? “I’ll stay for pictures then.”
