His big brown eyes assess me, then move to Hunter. He seems to contemplate him for a moment before rolling onto his back between my legs, exposing his belly.
“Well, maybe that’s a good sign?” I say to Hunter, reaching down to rub Boomer’s belly before letting out a sigh. “I wish I could keep him.”
Hunter cards his fingers through my hair, using the opportunity of Boomer being upside down to kiss the top of my head. “One day.”
“Yeah?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Yeah. One day, we can have a Boomer, if we’re not allowed him, and we can have some more. We’d need to get a house with a yard, though, because it’ll be a pain in the ass when they need to go out here.”
I aim a teasing grin his way. “We’re buying a house?”
He flicks my nose with his finger. “Not yet. In the future.”
My heart skips in my chest. He’s thinking about our future together? “Should I buy us matching towels?”
He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head.
“We could get some gnomes for the yard,” I suggest.
Resting his head against his bicep, he brushes my hair from my face, then traces my lips with his finger. “How about we get a set of mushroom gnomes?”
My smile doubles in size. “Someone might think you’re falling in love with me with a promise like that.”
He dips his head and slides his mouth over mine. “Then that someone would be correct,” he murmurs, sealing the promise with a kiss. “If only I could get the damn dog to like me.”
A few days later, I park my car on the street outside Ethan and Jacob’s house and kill the engine.
Ethan used to live in a big penthouse downtown, but after he met Jacob, he moved into what was Jacob’s grandparents’ home. It’s cute. All warm and homely with flower boxes on the porch. There aren’t as many flowers as there usually are, but that’s okay because sometimes they smell so strong it gets in my nose.
I texted Ethan as I was leaving the rink because Hunter’s back at work, and I didn’t want to sit at home on my own. Plus, there’s been something playing on my mind, and I don’t think Blaine is the right person to ask about it. His brand of love withAlex is different from mine and Hunter’s. Blaine goes all out. When he proposed, he had a dozen roses delivered to the arena. Candles lined a red carpet that led to the penalty box, where they first met. It was this big thing. Incredibly romantic. But I don’t think Hunter and I have that type of big love.
Ethan, on the other hand, loves quietly and is the reason why I’m coming to him for advice on my dilemma.
I walk up the short path, waving at the fishing gnome I got for them as a gift one year. I named him Geoff, but I don’t think they use his name. Maybe I should get him a friend so he doesn’t get lonely.
Taking the few steps onto the porch, I knock on the door and stroke one of the flower petals while I wait. It’s so soft, it feels like velvet.
A moment later, the door opens.
“Hey, Elliot, come on in,” Ethan says, opening the door wider, and I step inside.
I’m instantly greeted by the smell of cooking. Sticking my nose in the air, I take in a few quick sniffs. “Ohh, what’s Jacob been making?”
“Bread.”
My stomach chooses that moment to grumble, and Ethan arches a brow. His unspoken question is one I know all too well.
“Yes, I remembered to eat lunch,” I drawl. “I ate before I left the rink, but the bread smells really good.”
He nods, seeming pleased with my answer. I kick off my shoes and follow him into the living room. He has highlights from last night’s game on TV and a notebook full of scribbles on the coffee table. I pick it up as I drop onto the couch, trying to decipher what it says.
“You still make these notes?” I ask, holding up his notebook. It’s full of plays. He used to do it while he was playing, and hewould run through with us where we could make improvements. I didn’t know he was still doing it now he’s retired.
“It’s hard to break a habit I’ve had for longer than you’ve been alive,” he grumbles.
“Okay, old man,” I snicker.
He knows I’m only teasing, but he gives me a droll look anyway.
