Jamie walked them to their car, Rowan in his arms. Tyler started the engine while Jamie put Rowan in his carseat, and then stepped aside so Tyler could buckle him in.
They moved together like they’d done this before. Like loading the car was a routine part of their life. Closing the car door, Tyler turned to Jamie.
“Thank you,” Tyler said, his voice breaking.
“Hey,” Jamie said, moving toward him, and then Tyler was surrounded by a puffy coat and warmth and the unassuming smell ofJamieas he pressed gentle kisses to Tyler’s forehead. “What’s going on?”
“I’m just so happy, Jamie. Do you know how scary that is?”
He felt Jamie nod against the top of his head. “Yeah. I know.”
“Rowan loves you,” Tyler went on. “My kid, he…Helovesyou.I never thought I’d have someone, and never imagined there could be someone who wanted both of us.”
“You’re a package deal,” Jamie said, softly.
“We are.”
Jamie leaned in and kissed Tyler’s nose, then his cheek, then his chin. There was a quiet, fond smile on his face. “You need to get Rowan home, and I need to make sure the rookies haven’t set my house on fire.”
Tyler laughed quietly, wiping his eyes. “Good luck with them.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Text me?”
“Of course.” After one more kiss, Tyler climbed into the car. He watched Jamie walk back to the brightly lit house, his body a looming shadow in the night.
“Papa!”
Tyler looked at Rowan in the rearview mirror as he put the car in gear. “What’s up, kiddo?”
His hands clapped together, his face split open in a grin. “You gave Jamie a mouth kiss!”
Tyler smiled. “Yeah, I did.”
CHAPTER 17
JAMIE
GOOD TASTE. NICE HAIR.
Jamie jogged down the hallway in the Muskies practice arena. He’d already changed into his compression base layers and his team hoodie, and had spent about an hour doing PT for his hand before going through his usual warm-up.
His body was warm, muscles limber and ready.
Jamie opened the door to the locker room and inhaled. A smile stretched across his face at the sharp smell of sweat and the steady rumble of voices. Somebody had put on some electronic metal music–probably Esa.The Finns all loved that shit.
“Cap!” Matty looked up from where he was strapping on his shin pads. “Guys, look! Look! Sully’s back!”
The whole room erupted in cheers. Jamie felt his cheeks heat as he made the rounds, clapping backs and bumping fists. He’d just seen them all at the Christmas party, but still, it was different to be back at the rink.
Jamie took his usual spot between Mitchy and Coop, and muscle memory took over. His hands worked of their own accord, strapping on his pads before slapping them to check their tightness and positioning. Around him, guys worked on gearing up and taping their sticks.
“You’re coming with us on the road, right?” Cooper asked.
Jamie nodded. “It’ll be good to play before the Winter Classic. Hopefully get my legs under me and work out any kinks.”
“Thank fuck,” Mitch said from his other side. “I need you back as my plane buddy. Pauly took your seat, and all he talks about is Roman history.”
