I burst out laughing. “I’m gay, Axel. There’s no chance of that.” Shifting myself to the back of the sofa, I pulled him in front, his back to my chest. There was power in holding him like this, and I wanted to give to him for a change. Placing kisses on the side of his neck, I held him tightly until my stomach growled. It was an alarm bell to Axel. “Ready for dinner, love?”
“Yes,” I smiled. “Can I help?”
Axel climbed off the sofa, then reached down to pull me up. “I would love that.”
Chapter 22
Axel
“I won’t be able to visit next weekend. Coach is worried about Lennox,” Mason said. As the starting center for the San Diego Storm, the regular season was about to start, so the opportunity to see each other would be minimal.
“What’s going on? I thought the surgery worked.”
“It did,” he replied, “but Coach is worried. Lennox is the most stubborn quarterback in the league and won’t admit it’s still bothering him. His backup got a starting position with Houston, so Coach wants me to spend some extra time working with his new backup in case he… I don’t even want to put it out there. But if we’re prepared, it won’t happen, right?”
“That’s the way it works.” I was disappointed, but that’s how the world of professional sports went. “It’s okay. We’ll be in the same city a couple of times this season. And you’ll play here in December. I already marked them on our shared calendar.”
Mason brightened. “I purchased the suite. It’s going to be great. Cold as heck, but good.”
“Cold doesn’t bother me.”
“I’m sure. Now that I’m not coming, maybe you can plan a little weekend getaway for the two of you. Labor Day means a three-day weekend here.”
That was an idea I could get behind. “Any suggestions?”
Mason hummed. “Yes, but use a travel agent. It’s easier. There’s one over in the Flatiron District that Dad…um, I’ll text you the contact information.”
“It’s okay. You can say his name. But yes, that will work.”
Barking erupted in the background. “Hey, I’ve got to run. Tommy and I are going to Coronado to run. We’re taking the puppy today. Wish us luck.”
My brother never failed to make me smile. “Good luck. I’m heading in too. I need some ice time.”
“We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Absolutely. Say hello to Thomas for me.”
“I will. Love you, big brother.”
“Love you too, little brother.” That was our thing. It was silly for grown men to use those monikers, but it was important to us. Anyone who thought differently could fuck off.
After ending the call, I sat in my car and scrolled, searching for the best weekend getaways. There were plenty to choose from, but one popped out and held my interest. Now I just had to clear it with my boyfriend.
Dialing his number, my face split into a grin when he answered. “Hel-lo.”
“Hello to you. Are you busy?”
“Just doing some paperwork. I’ve got time to talk for a minute. I thought you were going to skate this morning.”
“I am. But we have a change of plans.” I explained about Mason’s predicament. “Can you take an extra day off from work?”
“Maybe. Why?”
“It’s a surprise. Don’t ruin this for me, Vaughn.”
He snickered in my ear. “Okay, I think I can, but I have a meeting on Wednesday. When are you thinking?”
“This Friday. We’d leave on Thursday afternoon. Return late Monday night.”
