“You don’t have to do the dishes,” Tyler said for what felt like the hundredth time.
Jamie just shrugged, his hands covered in soap. “I know.”
Tyler sighed. He’d made them a quick supper of black bean tacos and leftover roasted veggies. It was simple, but Jamie had raved about the meal.
Jamie had also refilled Rowan’s water bottle, gotten a napkin wet to wipe the smeared beans from Rowan’s cheek, and insisted on doing the dishes.
Tyler had protested, but Jamie hadn’t been deterred.Fucking stubborn hockey captain.
At that point, Rowan was exhausted, and, with Jamie trailing behind them, they’d started their typical bedtime routine.
Getting a toddler ready for bed with an audience, especially one as exciting as Jamie, proved to be challenging. At least Jamie tried to be helpful, telling Rowan that Muskies had to be good teammates and listen to their papas. There had been a brief meltdown over brushing teeth, but they’d gotten it done.
Jamie looked huge in their home. His shoulders almost filled the hallway, and the old wood floor creaked every time he moved.
Now, Rowan climbed up to the pile of pillows on Tyler’s queen bed, flopping back in his yellow and green striped pajamas. He patted the bed beside him. “Jamie sits here. Papa, you sit in your spot.” He patted the other side.
“You sure about this?” Jamie asked quietly.
Tyler shot him a smile. There was no point in protesting now.Jamie had proved himself, and who was he to argue if Rowan wanted him there? “You heard the man. Get up there.”
They barely fit. Tyler could tell Jamie was trying to not take up too much space until Rowan grabbed a handful of Jamie’s sweater and insisted he “get cozy.”
Jamie read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar," and they all laughed at his dramatic interpretation of the page where the caterpillar ate its way through about seventeen different foods.
When Jamie closed the book, Rowan’s head was resting on his shoulder.
Tyler felt…He didn’t know what he felt. Whatever it was, it was warm and full and it scared the shit out of him. Like he was hovering right at the edge of a dream where all he had to do was jump, and everything he’d ever wanted waited out of sight below.
“Thank you for the skating, Jamie,” Rowan said around another yawn. Tyler scooped him up into his arms, smiling as he felt Rowan’s little body sink into his hold.
“Of course, buddy.” Jamie got up from the bed. “I had a blast hanging out with you.”
“Feel free to head out if you want,” Tyler said softly to Jamie. “Or you could hang out on the couch. It shouldn’t be too long.”
Jamie nodded, running a hand through his blonde hair.
It took a minute for Rowan to settle, as he was predictably wired from an eventful evening. He was humming and talking to himself in his bed, so Tyler settled down on the beanbag chair, pulling a fleece blanket over his legs.
Hopefully, Rowan would go down fast.
Hopefully, Jamie would still be there.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled the blanket over his head before he pulled it out.
Jamie
I’m hanging on the couch. No rush.
Tyler
Thank you for today.
Jamie
Of course. It was my pleasure.
Tyler
