“At least the bruise on my neck is nearly gone, and it hurts a lot less to move my head.” The bruise on his neck is in the worst stage of browns and yellows. He’d been pretty limited to any extreme neck movement, but the trainers were happy with how it’s healing.
I trace a finger tip over the spot. “How’s it feel?”
“Can’t be as bad as the one Ktytor gave you.” He gives me a look.
“I’ll enjoy not having bruises anymore.”
“Have you decided you’re serious about not playing anymore?” Wolfe turns serious.
“We’d never be in the same city. Even now that I’ll probably get on a major instead of a lower level. I don’t want to do that grind.” But it’s more than that. The long distance would be miserable.
He studies me for a moment. “Can we be fully honest today. Say everything we’re thinking?”
My heart clenches. “Okay.”
“What else did you want to say just now?” How does he always know?
“I don’t want to be away from you for that long. I’m not willing to do anything that would destroy us.” Saying it feels entirely too vulnerable.
“It wouldn’t destroy us. Nothing can, but I don’t want you that far away either. I could never ask you not to do what I’m going to do, though. It’s not fair.”
“It’s different. Hockey isn’t the same for me.”
He strokes his fingers through my hair. “I still couldn’t ask it of you, and selfishly, I want you to keep living with me.”
“I want that too.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Spend your money.”
He bursts out laughing. “You may have to wait a few years.”
“You know I’m joking.”
“What will you do?”
“I guess it depends on where you end up. Maybe I’ll apply for post-graduate degrees.”
His eyes widen. “Is that something you’re interested in?”
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and yeah, I am. I want to work with queer kids. I was thinking social work, or maybe a therapist.”
He wraps tighter around me, pressing his face into my chest, rolling half on top of me. “I honestly didn’t think I could love you more.”
“Are you fucking serious?”
Had he really just said what I think he said? And more?
I pull his hair, needing to see it on his face.
“I—” Panic flashes in his irises.
“I love you too,” I say in a hurry, wrapping my arms around his neck, keeping him in the safe space between us.
“You don’t have to say it just because I did.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I know this is early.”
“It’s not early. I’ve been in love with you since high school.” I didn’t mean to admit it, but it just came out.
