I studied him, sure he couldn’t possibly mean that.
His expression softened a little more. “I’m serious. This is a pretty normal thing for everyone. We’ve known each other, what—a week? Wejustfucked for the first time. It’s going to take a while to get to know each other, and that’s where the trust happens. We’ll get there.” He paused, and a frown crept in. “It’ll be tough at first. I mean, it won’t be a long-distance relationship, but it kind of will be.”
I sighed. He was right. Once I went back to Seattle, the team schedules pretty much guaranteed that whenever one of us was home, the other would be on the road.
“That will give us time to talk, I suppose,” I said. “Text. FaceTime.”
Taylor brightened again. “That’s true. And it’s only for half the year. Less than that, since we’re partway through the season already.”
“True,” I murmured. “So there’s time.”
“There is. I suppose that means there’s time to figure out what this is, too. So we can just… let happen on its own.”
Smiling, I nodded, relieved he’d said that before my brain had even gotten to it. “No rush. No pressure.”
“Exactly.” He paused. “How, um… How public should we be about it?”
My stomach suddenly turned to lead. “Oh. Uh.” I thought about it. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to hide. But I…” Shifting on the bed, I quietly admitted, “Being out in the open—that scares me too.”
“We don’t have to jump into that part.”
I met his gaze.
Taylor smiled and touched my face. “Nobody has to know anything. Even the rest of the team—I mean, they probably figured it out before we did, but?—”
“Wait, what?” Panic straightened my spine. “They have? They know?”
He laughed softly. “Yeah. Hoskins gave me shit on the way to Edmonton. Said we weren’t being subtle about flirting.” His cheeks darkened as he rolled his eyes. “I didn’t even realize wewereflirting, but the guys—they caught on.”
I chuckled, though there was still a knot in my gut. “So if they figure out we’re hooking up…”
“They might,” he acknowledged. “But they’ll be discreet. They’re good guys, and they know how some people can be in this league. Especially after all that shit with Jack Hayes last season.”
Just the mention of that man’s name raised my hackles. “Ugh. I would have fought my trade if he’d still been GM when Seattle picked me up.”
“Right? And like, the whole team had the guys’ backs when he outed them. But everyone knows there are some players who are dicks, and there are some higher ups who are. So nobody outs anybody.” Taylor shrugged. “If the guys know about us, they’ll keep their mouths shut.”
“That’s true. And I suppose it doesn’t matter too much if people find out.”
“No, but we can keep it quiet if you’re more comfortable.”
I thought about it. “Maybe for now? Just not broadcast it, I guess?” I paused. “Though if the media notices…”
He studied me. “We’ll keep it on the downlow for now. If people do find out—I mean, for what’s worth, I don’t care if anyone knows we’re seeing each other.” He slid his palm down my arm. “But I won’t put it out there until you’re ready for people to know.”
The words relaxed me all the way to my core, tension I hadn’t even noticed before melting out of my body. Pulling him closer, I whispered, “I don’t want it to be a big secret. It was—staying in the closet like that, it was miserable.” I carded my fingers through his hair. “But maybe not yet? Not until we know what we’re doing?”
Taylor’s smile would never stop making my heart go wild. “Vasily, I’m so excited we’re doing anything, at all—trust me, I couldn’t care less who does or doesn’t know.”
I chuckled. “You sound so surprised that we’re…” I gestured at our naked bodies.
“I mean, I kind of am?” He laughed softly. “We didn’t get off to the best start, and like, you’re you. You’re quite literally out of my league.”
I rolled my eyes and kissed his forehead. “I am not. And not that it matters with whether I’d date you or not, but I don’t think you’ll be playing at this level much longer.”
Taylor blinked. “You don’t?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I know what the coaches want at the NAPH level, and I know what Seattle is going to be looking for, especially after this season.” I grinned. “I don’t think you’ll be an Orca for as long as you think.”
