Instead, I looked around the place. My mom hadn’t mentioned that she was coming over. Then again, she tended to talk to Silas more than me, not because we didn’t have a good relationship. He was just more of a talker than I was. During the season, I focused on my game.
“The place looks nice.” I narrowed my eyes. There was something different.
“I bought new throw pillows and hung a picture when I was home last,” Silas said as if he could read my thoughts.
“Ah, that’s what it is.”
The picture on the wall was a mix of blues and white. Varying shades that all swam together. The pillows were a simple blue with some sort of diamond pattern on them. Argyle? No, thatwasn’t right. Plaid? I didn’t know what it was called. Silas probably did, but I wasn’t going to show my ignorance by asking.
Same with the artwork. It was signed by someone. It was a real painting, not a print. Did he know the artist?
“So, is that why you texted me asking about colors the other day?”
“That was three months ago, Elliot.”
“Oh. Has it been that long since I was home?”
“No, it hasn’t. I didn’t get these until a few weeks ago. I promise this is the first time you’ve seen them in the light of day.”
“Good.” Not that it really mattered if I didn’t notice things about our apartment. Ultimately, I didn’t care what it looked like. I liked that Silas cared about it. This had been his apartment before it was ours. Technically we could afford something bigger, nicer. Hell, we could buy a whole house if we wanted. That was too permanent, though. Five years in and we didn’t even share a bank account.
“I like the art,” I said.
Silas flashed me a smile. “Me too. I went to a gallery showing with Alan, he’s one of the scorekeepers. It was his omega roommate from college or something? Anyway, the painting reminded me of getting to the arena in the early morning, skating on fresh ice.”
I looked back at the painting. “Yeah. When no one else is around.”
“Exactly. Remember when we used to set up drills at five in the morning cause that was the only time you could get ice time?”
I laughed. “Those were the days.” Back then it wasn’t so complicated. He was just starting his career in the lower league, meanwhile I hadn’t even been drafted yet. But I was hopeful. Always hopeful. I never would have made it without Silas being there to encourage me and run drills until I couldn’t even hold a stick anymore.
Then he was there to ice my shoulder, my knee, whatever aches I had from a day on the ice.
He brought me over another cup of coffee and a plate with a perfect omelet, complete with a cilantro leaf as garnish.
“You starting a second career as a chef?” I asked.
He snorted. “I’m not that good.”
The flavor that exploded in my mouth when I took a bite begged to differ.
Chapter 6
Silas
A lazy day at home was exactly what I needed. The traveling, constantly being in a new hotel, packing and unpacking and repacking, was getting old. I just wanted to be home with Elliot.
Hell, I would even take traveling with Elliot, but that would mean I didn’t have a job and all I did was follow him around like some groupie. That was the dream.
It wasn’t a terrible idea. In fact, that idea that was becoming more and more appealing by the day. Not that Elliot would ever believe me. He wouldn’t be able to fathom the notion that I would be content to be his partner, his husband, a man whosimply followed him around from city to city, supporting his career. But to me, that was what I pictured when I thought about my future. And if maybe someday that meant also starting a family with him… I would be over the moon.
Elliot would never believe that. Nor had he ever indicated that a future like that was something he wanted.
And so, I didn’t bring it up.
Around midday, Elliot went to the gym. He never missed a workout. Meanwhile, I had to call into my job and attend whatever the hell meeting I had been called into. I should have reviewed the agenda, but I had been too focused on spending time with Elliot.
This meeting began normally. My crew and our boss talked about schedules, coverage, proposed changes that might come up in the league. Then the topic shifted. Even though we were virtual, suddenly I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I had been paying attention, so it wasn’t like I missed something. With everyone staring at me and smiling, I felt like maybe there was something I didn’t know.
