It helps that I score two goals the next day, and that Dad lets me convince him not to show up to the game against San Francisco. None of them know just how pissed he is yet, and I’d rather keep it that way for as long as possible.
The good thing is that the next two games are away, Seattle and Vancouver.
We eke out a win against a very bad Seattle team and then lose against Vancouver on New Year’s Eve.
The game starts early, though, so we’re on our flight back to LA with four hours till midnight.
I’m still braced to have the worst New Year’s of my life, alone at my apartment since Dad and Ally are going to some fancy Hollywood party and Wolf and Hawk are at their ranch.
Malibu isn’t that far from my apartment in Santa Monica, but since we land at ten, with it being the last day of the year and all, I know it would take me more than two hours to get there unless I ordered a chopper.
It just seems like too much of a hassle considering I have practice the next day.
I get through the routine of every teammate, trainer, and coach acting like I’m invisible, and then just make my way home.
I don’t bother with the lights, so I’m instantly on high alert after I toe my shoes off, when I realize there’s a soft glow coming from around the corner of the foyer.
Did I leave a lamp on?
No, I always double check, and my cleaning service hasn’t come since I left for the mini roadie.
A list of potential weapons to protect myself flits through my mind, but I’ve got nothing. Especially because the glow is coming from the kitchen and living room, and that’s the only place where I’ve got knives.
I also debate just turning back, calling 911, but a soft scuffing sound pulls me forward. Later, I’ll remember and I’ll have no idea why it did, but I put one foot in front of the other like I’ve got nothing to lose.
“Jesus, Eli!” I snap, before the scene in front of me even makes sense.
“Fuck,” he shouts, and straightens from where he’s kneeling by the coffee table, then he raps his back against the corner of the couch. His next shout could be of pain or surprise. I rush forward.
“Are you okay?” I ask, cupping his cheek when I reach him and drop down next to him.
“Sure,” he says, wincing but sounding happy enough. “Just scared ten years off my life, but otherwise yeah, I’m fine.” He twists his torso and pokes at his back before turning to me.
Maybe gasping is overdramatic, but he looks amazing in this light... like he’s glowing from within, like an...
“Angel,” I whisper, then fall into him.
His lips mold to mine instinctually, and when I wrap my arms around his middle, his body melts into mine. Our torso’s fused, I pull him with me when I fall back onto the thick rug of the living room.
I don’t know how it’s possible for him to be here, but why should I care?
The end result is that he’s in my arms.
When he pulls back, rests his hands on either side of my head and smiles down at me, I understand that few things matter when I can see how his eyes soften when he looks at me. There’s a quiet adoration that doesn’t compute.
“Missed me?” he asks teasingly.
“I did.” There are no longer any reasons to hold back, to lie or deflect. I can simply cup his cheek and stare right back. “Not that I mind the surprise at all, but how did you get in? Where’s Austin?”
“He’s at a hotel and Ruko let me in.”
“Remind me to thank him later,” I whisper as I pull him back down and feel him sink into the kiss again.
It could be an hour later, maybe only five minutes pass. The midnight deadline has lost all its importance. All that matters is Eli’s lips, Eli’s hands, Eli’s hard cock pressing against my stomach, and Eli’s moans. But when he pulls back and I surfaceback to reality, it takes me an embarrassing minute to catch up to what he’s saying.
“Will you fuck me, baby?”
“Yes.” No hesitation at all, because why would I fucking stutter? I get a good grip under his thighs and stand with him in my arms.
