“I hope so,” he says. He looks over his shoulder at me, and since I still have my arm around him, the move brings his face close to mine. There is so much eagerness in his eyes, it’s almost unbearable. “I really like it here.”
Here as in St. Louis? Or here under my arm? I hope the answer is both. Over the last month, I’ve grown accustomed to his presence in my life again. In fact, as much as I shouldn’t admit this, I’m starting to think one of the biggest reasons why I want the Mules to make it to the playoffs is because I don’t want to go back to life without him around. Even if it is only for the summer. I want him to stay. It’s a thought I’ve been having increasingly. One that’s making my heart rate kick up as I stand here with him tucked under my arm.
“What are you planning on doing after the season?” I ask him.
“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “Probably head home to Green Bay.” There’s a look of disappointment on his face.
“You don’t have to go. You could stay here?”
“Yeah.” He laughs. “I’m pretty sure Cap and Vicky’s rookie-sitting duties are over once the season ends.”
“You know there’s other places to live in St. Louis besides their basement.”Like my house, I think but don’t say.
He sighs. “I know, but like, what’s the point of signing a lease somewhere if I might not make the roster next season?”
“You’re making the roster next season.” I laugh because it is such a ridiculous statement.
“Maybe,” he says.
“Definitely,” I say. I still don’t understand what his fear is about or why he’s so convinced he’s going to get kicked to the curb. We love him here and that’s not going to change when the season ends. What’s it going to take for him to get it? Hoisting the Stanley Cup? And even then I’m sure he’ll find some reason to think it has nothing to do with him.
But since I don’t want to linger on this subject any longer, I go back to my original question. “Why don’t you spend the summer atmy place?” I ask. My heart rate kicks up while I watch his face morph into shock.
Swallowing, he quickly pulls his features back to relaxed. Well, as relaxed as Brandon can. The Bouchards aren’t exactly known for being able to hide their emotions.
“You’d want that?” he asks, biting his lip.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “I think it would be fun.” And it would be. Because even if the feelings I’m developing for him are confusing, by the summer I will have a handle on them.
“If you don’t mind,” he says. “I could find a place to live before the season starts.”
Or keep living with me.
“Sure. Whatever you want,” I say, smiling from ear to ear as my gaze lingers on his lips. I can convince him he doesn’t need his own place later. For now, I’m going to enjoy the fact that I at least have his commitment to stay in St. Louis for the summer.
THIRTEEN
Brandon
The next day, I’m still in shock that Ryan asked me to spend the summer with him. After how quickly he pushed me into Danton’s house when I first arrived, this new development comes out of left field. That doesn’t stop it from being appealing, though, that’s for sure.
“Am I going to have to drug you to get you to nap?” Ryan asks from his bed on the other side of our hotel room.
“Shit,” I say. “I thought I was being quiet.”
“You are,” he says. “But I can feel your nervous energy across the room. What’s up with that?”
“Don’t know.” I shrug. Because I don’t. I’ve always been like this. A complete bundle of nerves on game day. “Trust me, though. It annoys me more than it does you.”
“I doubt that,” he says and sits up. He pulls the covers off of him and rubs his hands up and down his face. But my eyes linger on his toned body which is barely concealed by his tank top and sweatpants. He swings his legs to land his feet on the ground, then claps his hands together. “Let’s hit the cobbles. It’s time for another walk.”
Thank Christ. I can’t spend another minute cooped up in this room. I practically leap off the bed while Ryan changes his clothes. His back is turned away from me, giving me the perfect opportunity to admire his muscular ass and thighs as he pulls up his jeans. Luckily for me, I’m already dressed as I’ve been lying here on the bed already in one of my Mules tee shirts and shorts. “Where are we headed today?”
“Well, it’s Florida. So I think we should indulge in a walk on the beach.”
“How romantic,” I tease, pushing him as I walk to where my slides are waiting by the door. If we’re walking the beach, there’s no sense in wearing gym shoes. I want to feel the sand between my toes. I don’t get a lot of that in Wisconsin.
“Shut up, you ass.” He laughs and pushes me back. “If I can’t get a nap, at the very least, I’d like to get some sunshine.”
