Niko gave August a look over Fraser’s head that he couldn’t read, but he assumed his teammate was exasperated by his friend.
There was a standoff between Niko and Fraser, which lasted a total of sixty awkward seconds, before Fraser turned his attention back on August.
“Niko said you were planning to spend Christmas alone at your house. Did you not want to visit your parents?”
Why? So he could sit and listen to his mother spew Bible verses for days on end and hear about how many sins he had committed since she’d last seen him?
“She’s busy,” August said instead. “She’ll be at church for most of Christmas break, so staying home is easier.”
He didn’t know what he had said to upset Fraser, but his words had the shorter man leaning into his side, like he was trying to comfort him. August wasn’t used to all the attention, and he felt bad for making Jett worry, but he didn’t know how to fix it.
“Christmas with us will be more fun,” said Niko. “Hopefully, someone will spike the eggnog when Harrison isn’t looking.”
“And hopefully no one brings an axe,” said Jett, which made no fucking sense.
Robert and Killinger cursed, and August had to grab onto the handle when the Jeep jerked roughly.
“Goddamnit, Jett.” Killinger shot a glare over his shoulder at his husband. “Can we fuckingnot?”
August had no clue what was happening, and it appeared that he was the only one not in the loop because Niko was pale.
Had an axe been involved in the incident last year? August really should have asked Niko for alittlemore detail before agreeing to go with him.
“Joking about it makes it less scary,” said Fraser. “Which is the whole point of throwing this party, Grumbles. We’re not going to get over it unless we work through it, just like our therapist said.”
The tension eased just enough to allow August to breathe again. He was debating asking Killinger to turn around so he could catch the next flight home when Fraser pulled on his sleeve to get his attention.
“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m really sorry. Please, don’t ask us to turn around.”
August peered into Fraser’s eyes, getting lost in all the brown and gold. He didn’t understand it, but there was something in Fraser’s expression that was telling him he wanted August there, likereallywanted him there.
August had never beenneededby anyone, not even by people who he knew were supposed to love him.
“I’m staying,” said August, and relief filled him after saying the words out loud. “But could you…tell me what happened, if it’s not too much? I know it’s shitty to ask, but I don’t like the idea of going into this situation blindly, not knowing if I’ll upset anyone.”
Fraser elbowed August to make him relax. “I got you, buddy. If you have any pearls, get ready to clutch them.”
And that was how August learned the true story of what happened during last Christmas break; sitting in the back seat of a Jeep, driving through a snowstorm to the scene of the crime.
What the fuck had he gotten himself into?
Chapter 7
August
He was inside Jett Fraser and Harrison Killinger’s house for no more than five seconds before a pretty Korean man with powder pink hair rushed him like he was going to tackle him.
“Snow! I can’t believe you showed up!”
August quickly kicked his shoes off, ignoring the laughter coming from Niko while he watched him face-off against the rambunctious entity that was Su-jin Park.
Park had always been a pain in his ass on the ice, and it didn’t seem like their dynamic would change off the ice either. The guy had a vendetta against August because he dyed his hair white, which was stupid. After all, if he stopped using the dye, the colour change wouldn’t be drastic.
“Bend down for a second,” Park ordered, gripping August’s arm like he could force him to comply. “I need to try something.”
August already had an idea of what was about to happen, but for the sake of getting along, he did as he was asked. The second he was kneeling, Park jumped on like he was getting a piggyback ride, and August stood.
“Oh shit, Harrison never lets me do this,” Park said, uncomfortably close to his ear. “Is this really what the world looks like from up here? Aren’t you worried you’ll hit your head?”
