“It’s fine, man. This one never gets into too much trouble.” He points his thumb at me. “Besides, it’ll be more fun than usual for me. What were you two thinking for lunch? You want to go find a restaurant or?—”
“I was actually thinking we could just stay in.” His eyes collide with mine just for a fraction of a second before he looks away. “That it would be easier,” he says, voice quieter.
“That sounds perfect,” I tell him honestly. “We can watch movies and you can take your nap before the game.”
Okay, that waswaytoo eager.
“That’s what I was thinking, yeah.” He clears his throat before looking up again but at Austin, goddammit. “That way you can stay or go, and not have to worry.”
My bodyguard, for his part, doesn’t miss a thing, so he smiles a bit too knowingly and nods.
“In that case, I’m going to hit the holiday market and then find somewhere I can get a good steak.”
With that he walks back into his room and out again in less than a minute, winks at me, claps Lex on the shoulder, and then he... leaves.
Us.
Alone.
I’m alone with Lex in a room.
For the first time in years.
“Do you want to take your nap now, or...” I leave the options open, or maybe I just run out of words, because those green eyes are the equivalent of a sedative for me. All my neurons have stopped firing. It’s very annoying, and very soothing.
It used to happen every day the first few months after Dad and Lyla got married, then I built up a little bit of tolerance.
I had noticed, of course, that we haven’t been alone together in years, not since he left to go to his stupid hockey school. Okay, okay, I know it’s not stupid, but I’ve missed him so fucking much. Now we’re back here in a room together with him looking at me and smiling gently, and now he’s walking toward me, he’s opening his arms, and?—
“Oh,” I say, surprised when he squishes me against his chest.
“I’ve missed you, angel.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and swallow hard around the hard lump that appears in my throat.
I haven’t heard that in a long time.
“Missed you too,” I whisper, so low I don’t know if he heard me. It doesn’t matter, I’ll find my voice later. I’ll repeat it then, when I have the strength to look him in the eyes while I say it.
For now I just enjoy the feel of his arms around me.
I’m staring,I know. My mouth’s hanging open just waiting for something to fly in and choke me, so it’s dangerous, but I...
“How are you doing this? Seriously?” I demand as Lex uncovers yet another dish from the spread of room service.
“What?” he cries out, but he doesn’t look away from the steak and mashed potatoes. “You’ve seen me eat during the season before.”
“No,” I counter loudly. “I’ve never seen any human eat their body weight in cow and potatoes.”
“Please, there’s no way this is two fifty.”
He scoffs, he actually scoffs before going right back in again.
And yeah, that might’ve been an exaggeration, but dammit.
“You already ate another steak and a whole plate of pasta, Lex! Aren’t you going to get sick on the ice?”
“Nuh-uh,” he says, still chewing, then continues once he swallows. “I’ve got five hours before warmups. Believe me, it’ll be fine. I just have to chill and relax until the bus leaves. Don’t even have to get my bag or anything cause it’s all at the arena already.”
