“Busy.”
Ilya joined Shane on the bed, still tugging his T-shirt into place. Farah glanced between them, probably noticing that they both had wet hair.
Fuck. This was ridiculous.
“Before we talk about...other stuff,” Shane said. “We have something we want to tell you.”
“I’m all ears.”
Shane met Ilya’s gaze. Ilya rested a hand on Shane’s knee and squeezed.
“So,” Shane said slowly, “you know that I’m gay.”
“Of course. You told me.”
“Yeah. So here’s the thing...”
“I am bisexual,” Ilya blurted out.
Farah’s lips curved up. “I think I can see where this is going,” she said calmly.
Well, now they knew how easy it would be for someone to put two and two together if they knew the truth about Ilya’s sexuality.
“Yeah,” Shane said. “I think you do.”
“We are together,” Ilya said, in case she didn’t.
“Sorry,” Shane said. “I know this is going to be complicated for you.”
“Don’t apologize. I love you guys, and I’m happy for you.” She laughed. “Can’t say I predicted this when I woke up this morning. May I ask how long you’ve been together?”
Shane and Ilya shared a smile, then Ilya said, “A long time. Years.”
“So it isn’t brand-new,” Farah said, more to herself than to them, Shane suspected. “Not to ask a stupid question, but it’s serious?”
“Very,” Ilya said. Shane’s heart flipped the way it always did when Ilya made it clear how much Shane meant to him.
“Do you want to tell people?” Farah asked.
“No,” Shane said quickly, at the same time Ilya said, “Not yet.”
“We just wanted you to know,” Shane clarified. “Not many people do, but we thought you should.”
Farah nodded. “I’m on your side. So whatever you need from me, you’ve got it. There’s no precedent for NHL rivals being romantically involved, obviously, so we’re in uncharted waters here. Whatever happens, it definitely won’t be boring!”
“I wouldn’t mind boring,” Shane mumbled.
“Shane loves boring,” Ilya said.
Farah laughed. “Well, good, because I have a whole list of boring stuff to go over with both of you.”
They talked about endorsement opportunities, about the scheduled air date for a documentary ESPN had made about their rivalry, about Shane’s impending free agency at the end of this upcoming season, about the charity hockey camps that started next week. None of it, as far as Shane was concerned, was boring.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the documentary,” Farah said. “Their Scott Hunter doc was fantastic.”
“Did not see it,” Ilya said flatly.
“I guess they didn’t quite capture therealstory about you guys, though.”
