Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
20
Whit
It turns out the walk of shame is even more embarrassing when my mother is the only one to witness it. Not because she watches me from the porch with her coffee in her hand and a knowing look on her face, but because of the questions she wouldn’t dare ask in front of anyone else except maybe Dad.
“So … Rainn …”
I hold up my hand. “We’re not official, it’s completely brand-new, and I don’t want to jinx anything by talking about it.”
“I take it I’m not allowed to ask when we’re going to meet him officially, then.”
“Definitely not. We’re nowhere near that.” And I think if I were to ask Rainn over for family dinner, he’d run away screaming.
“Sit. Tell me about him, at least.”
I drop my gear bag and take the seat next to her, because I know my mother, and she will not let this go if I don’t. “There’s not much to tell.” I can’t exactly tell her he’s straight, or thought he was until me, because that will make her protective instincts come out. And I don’t really want to mention the hockey thing, because it’s a sore spot for him. “I technically met him at the bookstore, but we became friends when he saw how terrible I was at flirting and felt sorry for me, so he said he’d find me a guy to go out with.”
Yes, Mom, go out with. Not fuck. Nope, not at all, I will not be mentioning that.
Mom smiles. “And he fell for you instead? That’s sweet.”
Again, I hold up my hand. “Slow down there. We’re … dating.” I try not to wince on the word because it’s not exactly what we’re doing, is it?
As much as I want it to be, it’s not the truth. Rainn turning up at my game last night was surprising, and even though it was a total boyfriend move, I can’t let myself think that way. We haven’t had an official date or anything, and we’ve hooked up twice. Although, technically, I have come four times in the last eighteen hours or so, so is that one hookup or four?
Sex math is hard.
“But you like him?” Mom asks.
“I do. I like him a hell of a lot.” Probably more than I should.
“Well, good. I hope it works out and you’ll be comfortable enough to bring him home for dinner one night.”
“I hope so too.”
Dad comes out the front door, probably looking for Mom to join her on their usual coffee date in the late afternoon.
They do it most days, and it has always made me see my parents as the kind of love story to look up to. Every day, they sit out here, sometimes talking and sometimes not. They enjoy each other’s company, even silent company.
“Hi, son. How are you holding up after last night?”
I blanch and then realize he means after the game, not after … Shit, I need to get my head out of the gutter.
“Good. I meant to tell you all last night that a scout found me afterward. It was surreal, but pretty cool.”
“A scout?” Dad asks.
“Yeah, from Pittsburgh. Well, technically Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but that whole organization. From what I know, they drafted a player from the other team, and I guess he’s about to graduate and they’re trying to figure out contracts and where to send him, but anyway, this guy saw me, and he invited me to check out the farm team.”
“You have to do it,” Mom says.
“What?”
“This is an amazing opportunity,” Dad says. “You can’t ignore it.”
“Yeah, I can. I’m not interested in moving to Pennsylvania and playing for the AHL. I just thought it was cool they even considered me.”
“You scored two goals last night,” Dad points out. “Of course they’d consider you.”
“Hockey was never the plan.”
“Sometimes plans change,” Mom says.
“True,” I murmur. Sometimes not by choice, but this is my choice, and I don’t want to go to Pennsylvania.
Dad leans against the balcony railing, but I stand, vacating his usual seat.
“All yours, and I’ll leave you to it.”
Dad takes his seat, observing me as I pick up my gear bag. “You should at least think about it some more before you make a final decision.”
“I will.” But I already know what my decision will be.
“What are your plans for the rest of the afternoon and evening?” Mom asks.
Oh, you know, catching up on sleep because I’m exhausted after Rainn pulled four orgasms from me.
“Not much. I’ll probably head to bed early because I have a big day on campus tomorrow.”
Mainly, I can’t wait for classes and practice to be over so I can see Rainn again.
I can’t get away from practice fast enough.
When I walk into Vino and Veritas, Rainn’s dropping off drinks to a table, but his eyes immediately find mine, and he lifts his chin with a bright smile.