“And come up with a backup plan.”
“I will.”
As he watched her drive away, a ball of tension formed inside his stomach, expanding into his chest. There was no backup plan. If he and Ilya were found out, they were fucked.
“Guess what,” Ilya said as soon as Shane accepted his FaceTime request. It was the next morning—early in L.A., almost lunchtime in Ottawa—and Shane was still in bed.
“What?”
“We are getting a team puppy! Harris told us today at practice.”
“Oh. Cute.”
Ilya looked perfect, sitting on his deck in the early-autumn sunshine. He was wearing a black sweater that looked soft and cozy, and his jaw was covered in thick stubble. The sunlight made his golden-brown hair gleam. “He is too small right now, but when he is old enough he will come to the arena to visit!”
“You gonna let anyone else play with him, or...”
“Maybe. Good game last night.” He lifted a McDonald’s cup and took a long sip of something that was, at best, Coke, but could possibly be a chocolate shake. Shane decided to ignore it.
“You stayed up that late?”
Ilya grinned. “Yes, but, you know. Mostly partying.”
Shane smiled back, knowing damn well Ilya had only stayed up late to watch his boyfriend play hockey. “Sure. I saw Rose yesterday.”
“Yes, I saw the photos.”
“Aw man, did those hit the internet?”
“They say you are back together. Congratulations. Very happy for you.”
“Anyway, I want to tell you what she said.”
“She wants you back?”
“No. Shut up. She said we should maybe make, like, a backup plan. In case our secret gets out.”
“Backup plan,” Ilya repeated. “What would that be?”
“No idea. I figure we either stick to the plan we have, or our secret gets blown and we’re fucked, right?”
Ilya frowned. “Maybe. Yes.”
“I know we’re careful, but...”
“Someone might notice my heart eyes.”
“Yourwhat?”
“Heart eyes. Hayden said I look at you with heart eyes.”
Shane squirmed against his bedsheets. “When did he say that?”
“At camp. I was staring at you and he said—”
“Oh god.” Shane palmed his face. “He did not say that.”
“Yes. Was probably true. I look at you and I am just...” Ilya opened and closed his fist several times in front of his chest. “My heart goes crazy, you know?”
