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“We need to get him a pole to work tonight,” Dom said into the camera.
He turned it to my face again. “Any last words for your fans, Ford?”
“Dominic Locke is an asshole,” I said. “That’s about it.”
Dom turned the camera back on himself holding his hand up to wave at the camera. “He loves me. Peace!”
I slowly stood up from the table and went behind the changing room curtain to put my clothes back on. Elle reached for my hand as soon as I walked out and I took it.
“Nicely done!” Colby called as we walked into the waiting room.
They’d all watched the livestream. I’d heard their cackles from inside the waxing room.
“Anybody up for dinner?” Beau asked. “My parents are babysitting and Shelby’s meeting me at Berardi’s.”
I looked at Elle and she nodded.
“We’re in,” I said. “You fuckers owe me so many drinks after that bullshit.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll buy your dinner and drinks,” Dom said.
Elle squeezed my hand, her expression happy. As we walked toward my car, headed out for an evening with my teammates, I knew we’d have a good time.
The hard part was behind us. And I’d never been so excited about the future.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Elle
Three monthslater
I jumped up from my seat the second Luke walked into the visiting room, running into his arms to give him the biggest hug.
“You look great,” I said through my tears.
“Thanks, sis. I missed you.”
His hair was longer now, so long it was tucked behind his ears. He was clean shaven and had lost some weight but added some muscle. From our phone calls, I knew he’d been hiking and rock climbing a lot, despite the cold.
“Luke.” Our dad hugged him next, fighting tears. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
In a family session, around sixty days into his treatment, Luke had told Dad and our grandparents that he’s gay. They had all told him his happiness was all that mattered and said they’d support him no matter what.
Luke didn’t just look physically lighter now; he also looked unburdened. More at peace than I’d ever seen him. When he hugged our grandparents, he thanked them for paying for his treatment.
“Ford,” he said, shaking my boyfriend’s hand.
Ford grinned and pulled him in for a hug. “Congratulations, man. Really proud of you.”
“I can’t believe you came,” Luke said.
“Of course I came. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“I hear you guys are having a hell of a season. We’re not allowed to watch TV here, so I haven’t seen any games.”
Ford nodded. “We’re looking forward to the playoffs.”
