I nod and set the case of beers on the counter. “I know you said I didn’t need to bring anything, but it felt weird not to. So I brought beer, chips and dips, and a cake.”
Alka laughs as the young man heads into the other room. I watch after him, still trying to puzzle this together. I’m mostly confident that Alka isn’t old enough to have a kid in college. Like, 90% sure.
He wipes his hands on a dish towel and gestures for me to follow the way the kid has gone. He’s sitting in a chair and there’s another man there who I’m guessing is Alka’s husband.
I guess correctly when Alka says, “This is my husband Oscar and our boyfriend Roux.”
Ah. I knew Alka was married. He’d even said that he has a porn star husband. Which I’m assuming is Oscar. Unless he’s hiding a fourth man in this house somewhere. Then Lemon’s words come back to me.
“You’re a student?” I ask Roux.
He nods. “Yep. This is my last year.”
“Soccer, right?”
Roux smirks. “Yes.”
“How’d you hear?” Alka asks.
“Lemon.”
His smile fades. “Yeah?”
I laugh. “He was complaining about the age restriction being lifted on the auction because one of his players was hinting at him. I basically inferred that it was a waste of time becauseobviously that’s against the rules. He cited two current reasons that it’s not—one of his previous players is now married to the provost, their relationship starting while he was still a student. And you.”
Alka sighs. He’s standing between the two pieces of furniture where his men are sitting. He cups Roux’s chin and I watch as they stare at each other with hearts in their eyes. I smile as I watch them. I’ve always been a sucker for love.
Apparently, I’m shit at it, though.
“It’s a well-known secret,” Alka says. “We don’t necessarily hide it and we don’t pretend it’s not true when asked, but we also don’t announce it either. For no other reason than he does play soccer for me. However, I’ve removed myself from any responsibility that concerns his play time until he’s graduated.”
“I’m not judging, man. Just putting the pieces together.”
He sighs and bends to kiss Roux’s lips before falling onto the couch beside Oscar. He’s been quiet, just watching the conversation unfold.
My gaze lands back on Roux as I try to figure out why he’s so familiar. I haven’t made it to a soccer event, so I know that’s not where I’ve seen him.
“Did you know Elixon Kipler?” Roux asks.
“The hockey player?” Amused, he smiles. “Yeah. We were on the same team for six months, I think. Why do you ask?”
“He’s my older brother. I’m told we look alike. I’ve been called the ‘younger version of Lix’ many times in my life.”
“Ah,” I say and he grins. “That’s why you look so familiar.”
He laughs, rolling his eyes. “Yes. I can always tell when someone’s trying to figure out why they know me and if they’re involved with hockey or a fan of hockey, it’s a good bet they’re seeing Lix.”
“Sorry. That probably gets obnoxious.”
Roux shrugs. “I have the best brother, so there are definitely worse things.” He looks at me for a minute. “Don’t tell him I said that, though.”
I chuckle. “We’re not really friends. I haven’t spoken to him since we were on the same team.”
“Too bad. He really is the best.”
Grinning, I nod. “I’m sure he is.”
Alka and Oscar are watching our exchange, both with smiles. It’s not hard to see their adoration of Roux whenever they look in his direction.
