“Not really. Guess we’ll learn together.”
When we got to Madison Square Garden, Thomas purchased our tickets, then bought us both a hot dog and soda. “Is this what you had in mind for dinner?”
He looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “This is to keep you from starving to death between now and the end of the third period. Dinner will come later.”
As we found our seats, the first period was underway. Both teams were skating quickly, slamming each other into the boards. And when two players threw their gloves down on the ice and went at it, the crowd went nuts. I leaned into Thomas. “If football allowed fights, we’d never get the game played.”
“I bet,” he replied. “I wonder if Axel is a fighter.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
As we watched the rest of the game, I’d never considered the physical demands of the sport before tonight. It was as demanding, if not more so, than football.
On the walk back from the Garden, we stopped in a pub and ordered a burger.As we watched highlights of other sports, Thomas asked,“What’s the plan for tomorrow?”
My stomach was in knots just thinking about it.“Imade an appointment tosee him at the end of the day. I told his assistant I wanted to surprise him, so she didn’t put my name down. His calendar is clear after three.”
Thomas nodded. “That’s good.Nothing to rush the conversation. I’ll stay in the lobby until you need me.”
“That works.” Looking pointedly at him, I nodded toward his beverage. “As long as I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you drink as much as a beer. I don’t like them myself, but I’m curious about you.”
He wiped at the condensation on the side of the glass. “I quit years ago.”
I nodded. “Really?”
Thomas looked up at the screen where the highlights of tonight’s baseball games were playing. “I stopped when the girl I was dating was killed in an accident.”
“Oh, god. I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”
I didn’t know what to say as he took a swallow of his drink. He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t push. But it was another tidbitof information about him. “I’m here if you ever want to talk about it."
He smiled and gave me a look that made my heart race. “I know you are, and I’ll tell you about it sometime. Just not tonight."
The bartender served our food, putting an end to our heavy conversation. As we ate our dinner, we drifted into an easier conversation we both enjoyed. Life was simple with him, and it made me want more of the very thing I couldn’t have.
Chapter 9
Thomas
Mason was quiet on the walk back to the apartment. The streets were always full of life in Manhattan, making conversation unnecessary. The closer we got to the hotel, the heavier the moment felt. We were ending another fun night together, but this time staying in the same place. I knew him well enough to know he was wrapped up in his thoughts about facing his father, while I was trying to figure myself out.
Walking through the rotating door to the hotel, we headed to the elevator. He pushed the button, and when the doors opened, we stepped in along with a few other guests. I stood on one side, while he went to the other. I didn’t like the separation between us, but I had no right to say anything.
The doors opened on our floor, and I followed him out. Mason opened the door and held it for me. He went to the sofa and turned on the television. When he sat down, he stared at the screen, unseeing.
“I’m going to call Hudson and check on the girls.”
Mason turned and smiled at me. “You’re a good daddy to check on your babies.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, well. That’s my job.”
Making my way to my room, I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at my phone. Checking the time, it was only eight-thirty in California, so I made the call. He answered on the second ring.
“Hey. How’s New York?”
“It’s good,” I replied. “How’s it going there?”
