Deryke shakes his head and Tavis sighs. “Not your mouth sometimes, but you definitely have your shit together now.”
“Sometimes people need to be told to fuck off,” Max says shrugging. “I’m tired of being talked down to or being insulted behind a smile and kind tone. If I’m going to be a fucking role model, I’m also going to be one that doesn’t let people treat him like shit.That’swhat I want the world to take away from me.”
“Stand up for yourself,” Winslow agrees, nodding. “I think that’s a good thing to be known for.”
“Still, we need to work on how that comes out of your mouth,” Tavis says.
Max shrugs. “Fine. But my resolution is not going to be about cleaning up my language or whatever.”
“What’s it going to be?” Noah asks.
“I’m afraid to find out,” Deryke says.
“To make sure Ezzy has the best memories a one-year-old can possibly have,” Max says.
Everyone in the yard gives him a surprised but fond look. Deryke hugs him tightly.
“Wow, you’ve turned soft,” Noah teases, grinning.
“Who’s Ezzy?” I whisper to Hugo as everyone else teasingly ribs Max, who honestly looks giddily happy.
“Their baby,” Hugo answers.
“A real baby?”
He laughs. “Yes. I think Ezlo’s one or so. Maybe older. I can’t remember.”
“That’s really sweet.”
Hugo nods. “Yep.”
“What’s your resolution?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I don’t make them. My goal is to always be better than I was the year before.” Because of course it is. “I suppose this year, my goal involves another person.”
“Oh?”
Hugo shifts to look at me, his fingers toy with the hair at the base of my head. “Yes. To make you happy. Every day.”
Is it too soon to tell him I love him? It’s too soon, right? I rest my forehead on his. He just… takes my breath away every time he opens his damn mouth.
Chapter Thirty
TORIN
It’s almosttwo in the morning when we get to Hugo’s house. I’ve never been kissed at midnight on New Year’s Eve before. I’m still floating on the clouds. It feels like I’m living in a dream. How many people can say they haven’t fantasized about a romantic moment between them and a partner, kissing under fireworks or at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
I got to live that. I’m still living it.
Being kissed at midnight isn’t really the most memorable thing. Being kissed by Hugo is what made my heart race. The way he looked into my eyes and said, “I’m really excited to spend this new year with you.”
He’s turning me into a sap. I’m going to melt into a puddle of goo at his feet.
I’m equally tired and exhilarated. This feels like a new beginning. The beginning of forever. Like I’m untouchable.We’reuntouchable. Even better is that we have an entire forty-eight hours together. Just the two of us. No hockey. No commitments. Just us.
As we share the bathroom while we’re getting ready for bed, Hugo doesn’t stop talking. He’s excited. Not about anything specific. Just for life. I’m excited for life now, too. No longer just coasting by. When I’m with him I find I’m smiling more than I’m not. His enthusiasm and how he sees the world is unique. It’s sweet.
We climb into bed. Naked, of course, because Hugodoesn’t like clothes and I like his skin against mine. He flicked the television on when we came into the room so its electric glow illuminates us, flickering shadows and colors all around. The volume is so low that it’s nothing but hushed murmurs.
