“I’m glad you’re better,” Drew said, shaking himself back into the conversation. “Sounds like a family business.”
“It is, though Gabe isn’t as big a hockey fan as I am. He was very kind to move back here after college.” Don sighed. “I feel bad; it ruined his plans to move to the city. He’s always been a big city kid at heart, though I hope that he’ll never forget this place.”
“Sounds like a good guy,” Drew said, his mouth very dry, now almost certain that Don was talking about the very same Gabriel that Drew had met that morning. He was suddenly nervous that he would run into Gabriel here, and decided that it was time that he should leave.
“He is,” Don agreed. He laughed again. “I’m telling you all this stuff you didn’t ask about. I bet I sound like an old man rambling the way that I’m going on. Sorry. Is there anything else I can show you?”
“No need to apologize,” Drew said. “I’m glad I got the chance to see the place. Thank you. Also, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention that I’m staying in town. I’m trying to keep a low profile this summer,” he admitted.
“Of course,” said Don. “Your secret is safe with me.” He looked hopeful. “If you ever wanted to, though, it would be great if you could stop by and show us some stuff on the ice. I’m sure the kids would love that. We wouldn’t tell them who you are, and no offense, but I don’t think most kids would recognize you.”
“No offense taken. It’s one of the perks of being a hockey player—fans might know my name, but very few know my face.”
“Anonymous fame, I guess.”
“That’s right.”
Don’s radio crackled—someone named Hank was asking about an equipment delivery. “Looks like I’m needed elsewhere,” Don said. “Need me to walk you out?”
“I can find my way,” Drew said. “Thanks again for showing me around.”
“My pleasure.”
They shook hands, and Don walked off, talking into his radio.
Drew stared at the rink for a moment, thinking about Orion’s Belt Hockey camp, and wondering if there was an appropriate way he could help, before exiting the building and walking slowly across the property back to the parking lot. The camp was well-wooded and had some outside activities beyond the hockey rink. He saw a ropes course and a sign that pointed the way to a rock climbing wall in the woods. A long grassy hill led down into some brush, before opening into a lake—not Lake Michigan, but a smaller landlocked lake—where he could see a rack of kayaks and canoes, and a red boat house.
He smiled. The place seemed nice.
He was almost back to his car when he heard, “Should I be worried that you’re stalking me?”
Gabriel was leaning against the porch of the camp’s main building, wearing the same clothes as earlier, his arms crossed and a wry smile on his face that told Drew he was joking. Somehow, he looked more handsome now than he had earlier that morning.
Drew swallowed his chagrin at being caught, though it hadn’t been his intention to run into Gabriel—he hadn’t even known that Gabriel worked here.
“Would you believe me if I said it was a coincidence?” he said, smiling at Gabriel.
“Damn,” said Gabriel. “I was hoping you missed me so much you went and found out where I worked.”
He was definitely flirting, Drew decided. Or at least testing the waters to see if flirting was appropriate.
“Maybe so,” Drew said, letting a little flirtatiousness slip into his voice, “but would I ever admit that?”
“I don’t know you well enough to say,” Gabriel said, hopping off the porch. “You still haven’t asked me to dinner or lunch yet, officially.” He paused. “Whyareyou here, by the way?”
“I guess I can tell you, because I told your father.”
“Oh, god. You met him?”
“He seems nice.”
“He is. I love him a lot.” Gabriel had crossed the gravel parking lot and was now casually standing close to Drew. If Drew reached out, he’d be able to touch the other man.
“I donated some money to the camp a few years ago,” Drew admitted. “But I’d prefer if most people didn’t know that.”
Gabriel’s eyebrows rose. “Donated money, huh? Who are you, Mr. Drew?”
Drew was embarrassed. “I play in the NHL. I have a charitable foundation that supports small hockey businesses.”
