Page 18

SILAS

A fter a couple of bags of IV fluids, blood tests, and a follow-up appointment with his gastro specialist, Josiah was given the all-clear to head home.

He looked a lot better than when I’d first arrived.

This visit was, thankfully, a lot shorter than past ones, and a couple hours later, we headed out of the hospital.

“The doctors said you might need to try a new medication. I know it’s a pain but maybe it’s for the best.”

“I wanted to have a normal summer.”

“It’s still going to happen,” I insisted as I unlocked the truck. “It was one day.”

I slid into the driver’s seat and glanced over at my brother.

“So, you won’t stop me from going back to work?” Josiah replied.

“No. Why would I do that?”

“Because I passed out. And it could happen again.”

“I know. It’s scary and there are a lot of unknowns. But you need to keep trying.”

Josiah finally gave me a smile.

I was overprotective by nature, but my little brother was growing up. And if I wanted him to be happy and independent, I needed to let go a bit. He couldn’t stay at home, isolated. And wherever he worked, driving range or not, it was important that he at least try if he was able.

“I’m starving and there’s nothing at home to eat. Can we stop and grab something on the way back?”

“Take my phone and order whatever you want,” I replied. “Tell me where to go.”

Josiah got busy typing.

“There’s a new place a few blocks from here that we’ve never tried. It’s looks like a nice pub. You want a burger?”

“Sounds good.”

I started up the truck and pulled out of the lot.

“Done,” Josiah added. “Pick up at 25 Walnut Street in fifteen.”

Josiah placed my phone back on the handset and tapped on the screen so I could see the directions.

“What did you order?”

“A grilled chicken and rice bowl for me and a medium burger and fries for you.”

“Perfect.”

“Did you miss much practice today by leaving early?” Josiah asked.

“Nope,” I reassured him. “I told you; we were almost done for the day.”

“Was Banning annoyed that I called his phone?”

“Not at all. He understood,” I replied. “And he wanted me to pass along his best.”

“You like working with him, don’t you?” Josiah remarked. “I can tell by the way you talk about him.”

“I do,” I muttered and left it at that.

“Liking Damien” was an understatement. I was already counting down the hours until our next session. Three days a week? I could play five or six days and never get enough. And it wasn’t only about hockey. It was about being around him .

Fuck, forget it. Forget him.

I couldn’t. Damien had asked me to text him, and as soon as we stopped to pick up the food, I’d type out a quick “we’re good” and leave it at that. Not that I was anxious to message him or anything, but I didn’t want to be rude after he was so kind.

I followed the directions to our dinner pick-up and even though the address was located on one of the busiest stretches in the city, I managed to snag a parking spot nearby.

I glanced at the name of the restaurant, Unicorn namely, Damien’s vivid blue gaze.

“Hey, I’m Kolt. Can I get you anything?”

“Silas.” I turned and greeted him with a nod. “I’m waiting for a pickup order.”

“Nice to meet ya. You two know each other?” Kolt asked as he glanced at Damien.

I replied “yes” at the same time Damien mumbled “sort of.”

“Sort of?” I quipped and placed a hand over my heart. “Ouch, what happened to ‘See you Wednesday’?”

“You work together?” Kolt asked.

“Yes,” I replied and left it at that.

Kolt started to chuckle, and I no idea why. What was so funny about that?

“I figured you were an athlete. I’ll go check on your order,” Kolt added and walked away, leaving me alone with Damien.

Well, as alone as we could get in a crowded bar.

“Sorry to interrupt your evening,” I muttered as I leaned against the bar top, facing Damien again.

Instead of doing what I wanted, sitting my ass down on the empty bar stool next to him, I decided to stay standing as I was. Damien looked relaxed for once, far too tempting, and sitting next to him in the cozy atmosphere of the pub was only going to make matters worse.

If only he wasn’t my coach, if only I had more time, if only, if only…

“Nothing to interrupt,” Damien responded and reached for his beer, taking a long sip.

“He’s cute.”

“Who?”

“The bartender.”

“Oh.”

“Not my type,” I added. “But he seems like a nice guy.”

“He is. I was nervous when I first sat down and—” Damien’s eyes implored mine. “I don’t know where to start. You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

“Not at all. It’s none of my business,” I reassured him. “I’m trying—and failing miserably—to make small talk. I’m sorry if I interrupted your evening.”

“You didn’t. And I think I should probably tell you that?—”

I shook my head. “It’s okay, Damien. You have a right to a personal life.”

“I haven’t had one in a long time,” Damien confessed and worried his lower lip. “And… I’m trying to find some answers as to why.”

First, that queer club in Chicago and now here. It didn’t take a huge leap in logic to parse out that he was trying to come to terms with questions about his sexuality. My gaze locked on his full lips, and damn, why did he have to be so hot? Hot and unavailable.

Why did he have to be my freaking coach?

“I think I’m bi,” he whispered. “But I haven’t explored that for years.”

Say what?

Did that mean… I stood there, gaping, unable to speak.

“Forget I said anything,” Damien replied quickly and took another sip of beer. “Tonight, this discussion, it never happened.”

“I’m sorry, you… wow, you shocked me. It normally takes a lot to do that.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not exactly appropriate conversation given our roles.”

I stared at him and shook my head.

“Considering what I told you about myself, I can assure you I’m a safe person to talk to. I’m an adult. So, knock off the appropriate shit. It doesn’t apply in our case.”

“I think it does,” he bit back. “If anyone from the school ever found out that you, I mean, that you and I?—”

He paused, biting his lower lip.

“That what? We’re talking, not fucking in the middle of the football field. Or the rink.”

“Silas,” Damien hissed, his cheeks flushing a bright shade of scarlet.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, way too satisfied with teasing Damien. Me, making the unshakeable Coach Banning lose his cool? It was intoxicating, addicting. And his response was too fucking adorable.

Adorable? Since when did I even use that word?

“What? I like talking to you, okay?” I admitted. “Most guys my age are too busy partying or pulling stupid pranks. I sometimes feel ancient compared to them. I know I’m twenty- two but trust me, I’ve got years of responsibility behind me. I’m not your average student.”

“I know.” Damien sighed. “I do. I think that’s part of the problem.”

“Like I said, we’re having a conversation.” I pointed between us. “Nothing wrong about that.”

Damien looked like he was about to reply, but he was interrupted by Kolt returning with a friendly smile and a bag that I assumed was my order.

Damien did his best to stare at his glass and avoid eye contact.

Maybe I had overstepped the boundary between us, but I assumed it worked both ways.

It wasn’t often that I vibed with someone so easily.

I felt like I could talk to Damien about anything and everything.

Then I remembered why he was here. He was probably looking to hook up with a guy.

Not me. Never me.

Use your fucking brain.

He had plans, and so did I.

Kolt offered me the bag, and I nodded. “Thanks, Kolt.”

“I love your tatts. Are they done locally?” he asked me.

“Verdant Ink. I work there part-time. They’ve got tons of cool artists. Drop by sometime.”

“Thanks, I’ll check it out. I moved here a few months ago so I’m still finding my way around.”

“If you ever need a tour guide, I’m game,” I said to the bartender and turned to Damien. Fuck it, if he didn’t want to look at me, that was his problem, not mine. “I’ve got to hit the road. See you Wednesday, Damien.”

“Yep.”

Damien nodded but didn’t so much as glance my way.

Despite my jacket, and the warm atmosphere in the pub, I was freezing cold.