“I’ve learned a lot about myself since my father died.”
Hayden pulled him near. “Oh?”
“I thought I was doing this to prove to him that I could. That I wasn’t the failure, the loser he always said.”
Hayden held him tighter. “You’re not. You never were.”
Armi continued as if he hadn’t heard Hayden. “But then I realized, somewhere along the line, it changed. And I was no longer doing it for him. I was doing it for me. I wanted to take responsibility and prove to myself, more than anyone else, that I could succeed.”
“I still hate that your whole life he kicked your confidence to the curb and made you feel less than. You do know you’re doing an incredible job with the team, don’t you? People respect you because you lead with kindness. And contrary to what your father said, that doesn’t mean weakness.”
“I’m happy, though. Because of you, I feel more. More alive, more capable. Freer to be who I always wanted but never imagined possible. That first night we met, I was so far out of my comfort zone, I might as well have been on the moon.”
Hayden drew circles on Armi’s shoulder with his fingertips. “I know. You were such a surprise—a wonderful, gorgeous surprise. I could see you weren’t a hookup kind of guy, but you opened up to me, like one of your roses.” Hayden leaned in to kiss him. “And I couldn’t resist getting pricked by your thorns.”
Even though they’d already had the conversation, Armi tried again. “I have an idea. About living together. Because I don’t want to sleep alone.”
“I don’t like it either—”
“So how about a compromise?”
Hayden wrinkled his nose. “How would that go?”
“Weekends here and weekdays at your place. I’d need to check the roses and spend time with them, but I think we could work it out. And in the winter, after the season is over and before the trade deadline hits, we can go to my house in the Hamptons or, if we want someplace warm, take a long vacation. I have someone I trust to come in and care for the roses when they’re not in bloom.”
“I don’t know…I don’t want to feel like I’m living off you. And won’t people in the organization resent you showing favoritism toward me?”
“We wouldn’t be the first office romance. And I still need you as my PA. That’s not going to change.”
“True, true.” Hayden heaved a dramatic sigh. “Who else could you get to keep you in line and out of trouble?” His eyes twinkled. “And clean up your messes?”
“All while being the most fabulous lover? No one.” Armi kissed him. Excitement brewed in his chest, thinking of the two of them starting a life together. Here or wherever they decided.
“I can’t disagree with that.” Hayden’s eyes sparkled like polished emeralds. “But it’s easy to make love to you. All you have to do is touch me, and I’m hard.”
“You mean like this?” Armi threw his leg over Hayden’s hip.
“I’ve created a monster.”
“Rawr,” Armi teased, licking up and down Hayden’s throat. “Still think this is a bad idea?”
“Impossible. Loving you is the best idea I’ve ever had.”
Epilogue
Super Bowl Sunday
“Hold the line.Hold the line.” In the owner’s box, surrounded by family, friends, and coworkers, Hayden screamed as the Kings were facing pressure at their forty-yard line. They were sixty seconds away from winning the Super Bowl, but in football time a minute was a long way away.
“Ow.” Armi stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it. “I think you broke the sound barrier.”
“I can’t believe I’m so excited about a football game, but it’s the Super Bowl and we’re about to win it.” He jumped out of his seat.
“Shh.” His father hugged him and covered his mouth. “Don’t jinx it.” He threw his arm around Armi next. “I never thought I’d be able to afford even a ticket to a Super Bowl game, but to see it from the owner’s box is beyond my wildest fantasy. Thank you.”
“It means even more to have everyone here who matters most to me.” Armi’s eyes glittered bright with true happiness. “I never understood the how and why people get so invested in a game, but now I do.” He pumped his fist. “Go Kings!”
The crowd roared as the quarterback was sacked and the Portland Stingers lost another ten yards, making it fourth and twelve.
