Maverick’s phone began ringing, which meant it had to be Jackson. He flashed a smile before he answered it. His voice was soft as he climbed to his feet to speak with his fiancé. I wanted to follow him. I wanted to know what had happened. To make sure Beau was okay, that he was awake and speaking. But I had no claim on the man. We weren’t official. He wasn’t my anything, but he was Cole’s father and Sam’s brother.
“Are you holding up all right?” I asked them. “Do you need anything or want me to call someone for you?” What else was I supposed to do?
Cole burst into tears, then threw himself at me. He wrapped his arms around me, and mine immediately went around him to pull him closer. Sam smiled at me as she carded her fingers through his hair, her own eyes full of tears. I held Cole as he cried, while ugly, angry sobs wracked his body. I wasn’t sure my words would do anything, so I soothed my palms against his back. Maverick stopped in the doorway when he saw us, surprise and concern written all over his face. I jutted my chin at him, wanting to know what Jackson had said.
“So, uh, Beau’s going to be just fine.” He coughed, and Cole pulled away, brushing the tears from his face. “He has a broken nose, and he lost a tooth, but other than that, he’s fine.”
Cole jumped to his feet. “Really?”
Maverick nodded. “Yeah, really. Jackson’s at the hospital with him, and—whoa!” He laughed nervously when Cole engulfed him in a hug. “Okay, sure, we can do that.” He patted his back lightly.
“Sorry, I just... I was worried. He’s my dad, and he’s the only parent I have. Seeing him go down on the ice like that was scary, you know?” Cole stepped away from Maverick. “And, uh, I’m sorry for crying on you like that.”
I waved a hand at him. “It’s cool, man. You can cry on me any time you want.”
When his phone started ringing, Cole looked like he was going to burst into tears again. “It’s my dad,” he announced. “Hey, Dad.” His shoulders loosened as his muscled relaxed.. “Yeah, no, Maverick told me. I’m with him, Dean, and Sam. We were watching the game.” He glanced over at me. “I hope you don’t mind that I kind of figured it out. About you and Dean. It’s cool, though.”
I blushed and looked away. I could only imagine the conversation that was going to bring on later. If Beau even wanted to see me after this.
“You look nervous.” Maverick nudged me as he sat down. “Cole knows now. Beau’s going to be just fine. What else do you have to worry about?”
Sam sat down on the other side of me. “You and my brother make a cute couple.”
“What is this? The third degree?” I folded my arms over my chest as I watched Cole. He had moved away to speak with his father, giving himself a little privacy. It had been terrifying to watch Beau get hurt. I couldn’t imagine doing that in person. Was that what it would be like all the time? I shuddered at the thought.
Sam leaned closer. “It doesn’t happen a lot. And he could wear a cage.”
“A cage?” I squeaked. What the hell was that? The only cage I could think of... I shook my head. Nope, now was not the time to think ofthat.
She giggled. “Not that kind of a cage. One for his face. They’re mandatory in high school and college games, but some of the NHL guys wear them, too.”
“You thought she might for his cock, didn’t you?” Maverick hollered with laughter. “You should have seen your face!”
I was blushing again. “Shut up, asshole. Let’s talk about you and your boyfriend, huh? And the things he does to you.” That’s stopped him really quick. “That’s what I thought.”
“Dean?” Cole was watching me now, a smile on his face. “Dad’s going to call you in a little bit. He asked if you could stay over in the apartment again. With me. If that’s cool.”
I guess that meant Beau was okay with Cole knowing about us.
“That is most definitely cool,” I assured him.
Chapter Sixteen
Beau
My nose hurt like a son of a bitch, but the painkillers they gave me were helping. They made me feel all floaty and free. I was pissed that I had lost a tooth, though. Thirty-eight years on this earth, thirty-three of them playing hockey, and this time I finally lost one. It didn’t look so great either. Jax said it gave me character. I thought it made me look stupid. Asher laughed and told me I looked like a NASCAR driver, while Wyatt told me I could get it fixed in the off season. I told the both of them to get their shit together and stop making goo-goo eyes at one another while they thought no one was looking. That shut Asher up really quick, but Wyatt, well, he was another story all together. We all knew he had been pining for Ash for months, and it wasn’t going to end the way he wanted. I might have felt bad for him if I wasn’t high as hell on these pain meds.
“You good?” Jax asked once I was settled into my hotel room.
The stupid doctors had wanted me to stay overnight, but I refused. I’d had a broken nose before. It hurt, but the drugs were working, and I could already feel sleep calling my name. I wanted to speak with Dean, see his pretty face, and then go to bed. I was rooming with Jackson tonight just to make sure I was going to be okay.
I nodded. “Perfect. Now let me call my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend, huh? You’ve progressed to that stage?” He chuckled when I gave him the finger.
I sighed. “I mean, what else is he? Cole figured it out really quick.”
“You let the man sleep in your bed. What else was he supposed to think when he found him there? At least he wasn’t mad about it.” Jackson stripped off his shirt as he headed to the bathroom. “Let me know if you need some alone time.” He made a jerking motion with his hand.
