Page 160 of Forbidden Hockey

Hunter shrugs as the oven timer goes off. “Alright, invite your friends in. I’m gonna clean my face.”

“Um, Trav, too?”

“Yeah.” He’s still not happy about it, but he’s allowing Trav in his home. That’s no small thing in Hunter’s world. His home is his sanctuary. I can build off that.

Speaking of Trav, he must be pacing a path through the deck by now. I open the front door and lean my head out, thinking I’ll call an invite to them, but a rough hand circles my wrist, pulling me flush with his body. Trav’s forehead rests against mine, and he breathes me in, letting my scent soothe him and our nearness tame the concerned beast inside him.

“I fucking missed you, Trav.” This is where I belong, I know it. Right here with him. Wherever he is.

“Same. You were in there for an eternity, pretty boy.”

Yeah, it feels that way.

Tilting my head, I scan the dark clouds above. It hasn’t started raining yet, but I can smell it in the air. Even if I couldn’t, Vancouverites have a sixth sense about the rain.

I catch Dash’s gaze and the quiet question there.Everything alright?

I nod. “Hunt’s invited everyone in for dinner, I guess.” Stacey’s not gonna consider cinnamon buns dinner, but Dash’ll love it.

“We’ll head inside, give you two a moment,” Stacey says.

I run fingers over Trav’s swollen face. It’s hot to the touch. I’m making him ice this shit as soon as we’re inside. “He knows, he’s always known, but I think he’s gonna give us a chance.”

Trav makes a gruff sound. “I’ve told you before, as a dad, I get it. I won’t hold it against him.”

“Not even this?” I say, referring to the state of his face.

He shakes his head. “Nope. I don’t regret stepping in. I’m always gonna step in for you, baby, no matter who it is.”

A lazy hum runs through my chest, and the rhythm of my heart evens out in time with Trav’s. There’s no more knot in my chest, just a steady warmth that anchors me. A heaviness settles in my limbs. Not tired, but the kind of relaxed weight that feels padded that I can sink into.

“You were right, Trav. I had lingering thoughts of Mom buried like landmines, subconsciously threatening to maim me. That’s why I couldn’t tell Hunter anything, but I did, and he didn’t shun me. Still don’t know if he’s gonna accept you, but he’s gonna tolerate you—for me.”

Trav smiles. “I’m glad, pretty boy. Having Hunter like me would be nice, but you’re my priority. I’m willing to be tolerated. Besides, I’m fucking infectious. He’ll love me eventually.”

I move in to catch his lips, but something’s crawling too slowly on the porch ledge. “Uh, Trav.”

Trav flips around, spying the dopey creature, losing his steam. “Shit.” He drops me like a hot potato in favor of the depleted honeybee. “Well, what you waiting for? I need sugar water,now.”

He forms a fortress around the little guy, and I run to the kitchen like my life depends on it, or well, the life of a honeybee. Hunt’s making coffee for Stacey and Dash. I sift through the cupboards like a madman.

“What in blazes?” Hunter says.

“Sugar. Water. Quickly.”

“Shit,” Dash says. “Honeybee?”

“Yep.”

Hunter’s brows knit together, but he helps me with the sugar water concoction, and everyone follows us out to the porch. I hand the spoon to Trav, and he scoops a generous portion, trickling it under our new friend before he’s a victim of honeybee burnout.

My burly brother leans against the door with a lot of skepticism playing out on his face. “Is that even doing anything?”

“First time I saw him doing this, I didn’t think so either.” They drink for a long while, and it’s hard to tell if they’re drinking or drowning.

“You sure it’s not dead?” he asks. “It’s looking pretty lifeless.”

My smile stretches wider the longer I watch my man, brow knit together with firm concentration, murmuring little honeybee blessings. “He’s just tired. Keep watching.”