Loud swears were muffled behind his windows, and Chase and Tobias rushed over.
“Garrett!” they both shouted as they raced to his dark sedan.
He was facing his backseat, but spun when he heard their yells.
Chase and Tobias froze as they watched Garrett’s face go from anger to fear before settling on friendly.
“Hey, my bad,” Garrett said as he lowered the window. “Everything’s good. I thought I saw a giant spider in my backseat, but it was nothing.”
Chase smirked as he caught Tobias’ shiver.
“You sure?” Chase asked.
“Yup, all good. Just gotta take care of some things so I can’t make it to breakfast. See you tomorrow,” Garrett said before peeling away and turning in the opposite direction of the exit of the industrial park where the gym sat.
“Uh, you think he’s really okay?” Chase asked after watching Garrett drive off.
“I’ll text him later to make sure. But he’s the cop, so if he really needed help I’m sure he’d call the station.”
“True.” Chase shrugged, and they walked to their cars. “So, now can we talk about your adorable reaction to Garrett saying the word spider?”
Tobias’ loud sigh cracked him up.
Epilogue
Nine months later…
IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING and Madison sang along—loudly—with every song playing through the speakers.
A lot had changed since last year’s alumni game.
The kids’ classes at Gym Rat Fitness had become such a success they’d expanded the program and Chase took charge of it. Tobias was so pleased to have Chase, who had become the face of his business. Tobias enjoyed hiding behind the scenes and running things from his office, although he still ran the six a.m. class every day with their friends.
Chase had even worked with Shane Kendrick in putting together a yoga program for the Inferno and including it in a fitness camp they ran at the arena over the summer. They’d planned to hold it at the gym, but itoutgrew the facility quickly once they announced it.
Tobias remained in awe of Chase’s energy and drive. He’d even found time to join his brother’s soccer team when they needed a new goalie, and Chase and Shawn had made so much progress in fixing their relationship. Watching him play was one of Tobias and Madison’s favorite things to do together, and Shawn was slipping into their family with ease. He would be there later for Christmas brunch.
The media storm from Tobias' coming out died down quickly, thanks to him being out of the game. Once people realized there was no scandal and he was just in a regular relationship, they lost interest. It turned out he had worried over nothing—typical for him. After his coming out, he started seeing a therapist, who helped him manage his anxiety.
When Chase’s lease ended this past summer, Tobias suggested Chase move into his house. He hadn’t even gotten the question out before Chase said yes.
Madison started kindergarten in September and was delighted to have the same class as Colin. She adored her teacher and told plenty of stories when she got home from school every day. Tobias loved seeing her so happy, much like she was now in the middle of their Christmas morning. It was a much different Christmas than last year’s, with just the Moyers under the tree.
Chase was snuggled against Tobias’ side on the couchas they watched Madison play in the piles of wrapping paper.
“Hey, it looks like someone still has a stocking to open,” Natalie said as she pointed to the spot above the fireplace where Chase’s stocking hung.
Madison paused in her singing and grabbed Chase’s stocking off the hook, an edge of wrapping paper poking out of the top.
Tobias’ heart raced in anticipation of what he was about to do. He’d even called in his favor to Cole for help with the details. Cole may have been a pain in the ass, but he oddly knew romance.
Grace sent him a supportive smile from her favorite recliner as Chase sat up, ready to accept his stocking from Madison.
When Chase had first spotted the giant red sock with his name on it hanging from the mantle next to Tobias, Madison, Natalie and Grace’s, he immediately fell into Tobias’ arms, soft sobs racking him as he found himself part of a family once again.
Now, he beamed in delight as he took the stocking from Madison.
“You already got me so many gifts,” he said to Tobias as he pulled out the first gift. “This is too much.”
