“I don’t love Ryan,” I said. “I need toownhim. I know you’re not supposed to own people, Luke, and I don’t give a fuck. I have to have him.”
My voice was nothing but a raspy husk, stolen by the exhaustion of keeping myself away from Ryan. This is why I don’t talk or think about Ryan.
“Where does Ryan stand in all this? I’m not doing anything unless I’m sure he’s consenting, and I hope you wouldn’t either.”
“I’m not that kind of monster, Luke. But clearly, you think I am,” I muttered. “He’s agreed.”
“Why?”
“He wants out from under his father’s thumb, but he needs money and hockey connections. I have the connections; I just need the money.”
“So, you’re using each other. Great.”
“We both get something we want, what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it, I guess.”
“I could never have what I want—what I need—any other way, Luke. I know you want me to fall in love, especially now that you’re fucking heart eyes for McKinnon. But I’m different than you are.”
Then I was treated to the fucking inquisition, aka my brother. Sooooo many questions about Ryan I wasn’t in the fucking mood to answer. Hell, I wasn’t even ready to answer them. Usually, I have all my lies tucked away in a file in my head, ready to go.
This time, I scrambled. Fed him bullshit that should have fit my usual bill, but it didn’t go over as smoothly as I planned, and we quasi-argued in the restrained way Luke does.
But I did it, and it’s bought me some time. So long as Luke can be sure he’ll have his money by the end of term, that’ll calm him down for a bit. Hopefully a few months.
We dealt with McKinnon’s situation for a couple of weeks; it’s almost blown over, but then Ace had a family emergency, and Luke went with him to the hospital for a few days. But now they’re back, and things are moving quickly around me.
Patrick stops by my office.
“The hockey team’s still okay, right? If I know you, and I think I’ve gotten to know youprettywell over the years, you’ll pull through with something.” He does the nose touch thing, like we’ve got a secret. Seriously, who does that? And how does he thinksomething up your sleeveworks, if not for something fucking shady? I doubt he wants that, but the man’s clearly watched too many sappy nineties sitcoms where the hero pulls through.
McKinnon’s the one who has the sitcom, rom-com life. Patrick should be touching his nose around Ace. Not me.
“We’ll be fine,” I lie. I give him the thumbs up. He doesn’t seem to think it’s rude. Or is it just the emoji version that’s rude?
“I knew it. How’s the boyfriend?” he asks.
“We eloped,” I blurt out.Onlybecause it will distract him from more serious matters.Notbecause I’m dying to tell someone.
“That’s excellent news! Congratulations. This calls for a party. I know just the place.”
“Ah, um …” Fuck. Parties. I forgot that people have those. Now I’m spluttering. I don’t splutter. “That is to say, it’s still a private thing. I haven’t even had the chance to tell my brother yet.”
“You told me before you told your brother?”
I nod. No one ask me why. I don’t know either.
“I won’t betray your trust, friend. Haven’t so far. Um, which leads me to something. I wanted to break the news to you first.” He rubs the back of his neck. “This was a business decision, Tate. I hope this won’t ruin our friendship.”
“What did you do, Patrick?” I emphasize the last part of his name. I don’t mean for it to come out like a threat, but it does, some of my real Tate persona slipping in.
“I got a call from Shae McKinnon, explaining the situation between your brother and Ace. You know Ace is like a nephew to me,” he says quickly. “Shae meant well, and any other season, I could have overlooked their relationship, but with Ace’s most recent situation, I had no choice but to let Luke go.”
That’s … fine. Luke wasn’t planning to stay beyond this year. He only did this for me. But I’ll never lose an opportunity to have someone owe me—or at least feellike they owe me.
“I see,” I say with the appropriate amount of disappointment, turning my brow and lips down at the same time. The way I tap my fingers, slow and repetitive, probably makes him die inside just a little bit.
“I’m really sorry, Tate. I don’t personally have any issues with their relationship. I know your brother has to be a good man—he’s from the same family as you are.”
