“We’ll all fly back together.” Wolf speaks up next, his usual frown present and set in stone. I don’t think he’s talking about just flying, but again, I just nod.
“Let me see the schedule,” Hawk mumbles and takes out his phone. “You play San Francisco on the twenty-seventh, then fly out to Seattle to play them on the twenty-ninth, then Vancouver on the thirty-first, then you get back home to play against Montreal on the second, then Colorado on the fifth.”
I can see he opens his calendar app and starts putting all my games down with alerts and I’m touched down to my soul.
I know how important that calendar app is for Hawk, who can only remember to drink water if he’s reminded of it even with his meds.
When I look around, I see more of them doing the same. They’re all making sure I’m a priority for them.
I look down, focus on my food and on eating, and if a tear or two fall on my plate, well... no one says anything, so I pretend no one notices.
10
Eli
My computer pings with an alert of the motion sensor outside my office. It’s only on when I lock the door, and I only do that when I’m working on... sensitive information.
I check the camera feed and practically topple my desk with how hard I jump when I see Lex standing there with a suitcase. My eyes shift automatically to the clock and I can’t believe it’s already after midnight. I was only supposed to work on the search for tgr81gotcha for an hour or so, but the fact that I found a very... interesting forum on the dark web is probably to blame.
I save everything, including the measly progress I made on the code for the app development, then hurry to save and close up everything before sprinting to the door and disarming the security system to let Lex in.
“Time got away from me. I’m sorry I didn’t go get you, I—” All other apologies I was planning on offering him fly outthe window when he wraps me in the warmest hug I’ve ever received.
“Hey, hey, what’s the matter?”
“I’m so fucking tired, angel,” he whispers against my neck. I shiver at the feeling of the soft burst of warm air, but then shake that shit off. Right now is not the time.
Last time I had Lex in my arms like this, he said he didn’t want our kiss to happen in a moment exactly like this one. It’s not like I can just turn off my feelings for him—fucking obviously—but I can control my mouth.
“You can rest now,” I assure him.
He hasn’t spent the night here since he moved out seven years ago, but back then, his room was two floors up where all the guests always stay. Our home is rarely this full, and there are two more people arriving tomorrow, but of course Lex’s room is still exactly as he left it.
In my weakest moments, that’s where I go, to try to feel closer to him, but tonight, right now, I need to be the strong one. So instead of telling him I’ll help him take his things upstairs, I lead him back to the hallway where the stairs are but don’t take him up. Instead, I lead him down the hallway and to my bedroom.
“You can say no, of course,” I say softly, and take his hand, intertwining our fingers together. “But I’d really love it if you’d stay with me while you’re here. Not to, like,doanything,” I rush to add. “Just to rest.”
“Okay,” he says simply, his eyes not quite focused on the space in front of us.
I close the door behind us and lead him through my little living room and to the bed. I push him to sit, then crouch to take off his shoes.
“Do you want a shower or just sleep?” I ask, still speaking softly.
“Can you pass me my toiletry bag? I feel like I need to wash off the flight.”
“You got it.” I hurry back to my living room and tilt his suitcase to the floor, open it up and immediately identify the bright green bag. I also grab a pair of soft-looking sweatpants and a black T-shirt. “Here you go.” I hand it all over, and he takes it with a tired but grateful smile then disappears into the en-suite bathroom.
I rush into my closet and change into my pajamas too, then sit on the bed, just waiting for the sounds of the shower to stop so I can figure out exactly what Lex needs.
“All yours,” he murmurs when he steps out, and I maybe don’t brush my teeth for the full two minutes, but I make up for that with vigor, and with the fact that I take a few precious seconds to wash my face.
I shut every light off and find Lex already tucked in on the right side of the bed. I can’t help but smile. Either he knows I sleep on the left, or we’re just cosmically made for each other. Whichever it is, I’m good with it.
“Did you see anyone downstairs, or...?” I leave the question open-ended as I get under the duvet myself.
“Yeah.” The single word sounds more like a sigh. “I guess you didn’t see that I didn’t finish the game with the rest of the team.” His voice is so soft, so... defeated. I really don’t want to make him feel worse, but he did just drop a bomb on me.
“What?” I shout, scooting up and gripping his arm. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Who hurt you?”
