I hand the megaphone to Finn and see Theo’s eyes shining with unshed tears.
John turns his back on the crowd to face us and forgets he’s mic’d up. “You’ll both be sorry. You profited off of my name, and I’ll put an end to it. You’re hockey players for God’s sake. Not a brain cell between you.”
“You don’t even have a job,” Theo fires back, then freezes. His gaze sweeps the crowd as if he’s looking for someone.
“Areyou okay?” I whisper.
Theo nods but says to Finn, “I think I need a lawyer or a financial accountant or both.”
Chapter 38
Theo O'Keefe
We must’ve fed the beast because we got clearance to return to our apartment. I mean, Jamal’s place—but I want this to be more than temporary. It’s late by the time we get home.
Jamal heads straight to the bedroom, but I stop him and haul him on top of me on the couch. His braids hang down and curtain his face. It’s so hard to find the right words, so I kiss him.
“We could do this in bed.” Jamal searches my eyes, wondering if I’m okay.
“I need to tell you something first.” I steel myself.
Jamal’s face turns serious, which makes me more nervous that I’ll fuck this up again. “I seriously don’t know why you’re with me.” Oops, that was an inside thought.
“If you’re trying to get rid of me, I won’t make it easy,” he teases.
“See, even when I’m a dick, you’re nice.” I wrap a couple of his braids around my finger.
“Theo, I see you. Whatever is going on in your head, you’re beating yourself up. I don’t need to be mean. You’re terrible to yourself.” He tilts his head so I can twist the braids right up to his skull.
“I’m sorry.” My throat is tight, and it’s hard to get the words out. “The thing is that I love you.” Before I can finish, he’s kissing me with both hands on the sides of my face.
His electric smile jolts my heart.
“Let me finish.” I playfully tug his head sideways. He turns his lips in, giving me a chance to talk. “I freaked out when you said you love me. Totally a me problem, but it’s hard to accept and feel deserving of. I can’t remember the last time someone told me they love me. Sarah will say it in passing, but it’s more of a friendly ‘I love you, bro’ than a declaration.”
His muscles coil with anticipation, hoping I’ll say those three words. I’m so lightheaded but speak from my heart.
“Honestly, I’m still convinced you won’t be able to put up with me for long, but I trust you and I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person. I’m probably going to do it wrong, and—”
Jamal silences me with another passionate kiss. “As long as you love me, we’ll figure it out.”
“Aren’t you the one who said loving someone isn’t enough?”
“No, I said you have to show them and tell them. You’ve been showing me every day how much you want to be with me. Coming out, taking risks, going on national TV and calling me your boyfriend. The list goes on. You show me, Theo, and I believe you.”
I bite his shoulder. It’s my favorite place to sink my teeth into when I can’t get my words out.
“Would it be a bad time to tell you that I bought you something?” I really, really should’ve asked first.
“Theo, you don’t have to buy me things to show me you love me.” He returns the favor and bites my shoulder.
“I know,” I say, but gifts are a great way to express my feelings. “This might be over the top.”
Jamal sits up with his ass pressing on my dick. Not helpful. “What?” he asks warily.
“I kinda sort of bought you a new mattress. The same brand as the one at John’s apartment.” I wince, waiting for his disapproval, but his expression is…timid, embarrassed; I can’t figure it out, but I wait for him to respond instead of jumping in saying it’s not a big deal.
“Sooo…” He pauses and looks away.
