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Damien’s hands slid up my back, higher, then cupped my face. The kiss he gave me was slow and sweet, hitting me right in my feels. I gripped his forearms, and I held on tight, unwilling to let go.

“Baby, I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“You’ve got enough pressure as it is. I don’t want to make your life harder.”

“You’re not.” I shook my head. “Now stop distracting me and get washed up. We’re going to be late.”

A half hour later, we were dressed and headed out the door, taking separate cars of course.

I gave Damien the address of the nursing home and while he headed off to run errands, I drove to River’s to pick up Jo.

“I guess I don’t have to ask how your weekend’s going,” Jo teased as he hopped in the truck. “Are you finally going to tell me who put that smile on your face?”

I so wanted to tell him. Then, I figured I didn’t need to. As soon as Jo saw me with Damien, he’d know.

“I had a good night,” I offered. “What about you? How’s River?”

“He’s good. I mean, he’s still upset about his parent’s split, but we talked about it. Even if he moves, our friendship doesn’t change.”

“And you?” I asked as I pulled out of River’s driveway and headed back to town. “How’s the new medication?”

“Better. No dizziness.”

I reached for my brother’s hand and squeezed it tight. “I’m so fucking happy to hear that.”

We pulled up to the nursing home parking lot a short while later.

Jo and I entered the home and found my dad sitting with the other residents in the lounge, playing bingo.

The game was organized once a week, and every resident was an eager participant.

There were prizes, like books and puzzles, and competition was surprisingly fierce.

The desire to win, no matter the game, no matter the circumstance, was human nature.

Several volunteers helped the residents with their cards, including my dad.

Jo and I grabbed a couple of nearby seats and waited until the game was done. No one interrupted bingo time; it was sacred.

After a half hour, Mandy, his nurse, wheeled Dad over to us.

“So, how many games did you win?” I asked.

My dad held up two fingers.

“Nice. You going to share your prizes with me and Jo?”

My dad shook his head slowly, and Jo and I laughed.

“You want to sit outside for a while? Get some sun?” I asked.

He nodded. I took over from Mandy and wheeled my dad out of the residence with Jo following.

Damien was waiting there, on the grounds, standing by the picnic table with our championship trophy in his hands. I guess that excuse was as good as any.

My heart was so full at the sight of him that it took everything in me to keep calm.

“Whoa, Banning is here,” Jo remarked and patted my dad’s shoulder. “Isn’t that cool, Dad? That’s Silas’s coach come to show you their championship trophy. What a great surprise.”

It was.

My father barely nodded, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was excited to see that trophy.

Jo nudged me. “When did you arrange this?”

“Yesterday.” God, I hated lying to my family. I couldn’t do this for much longer. “I told you that every player gets their turn.”

“Yeah, I know. But I didn’t expect your coach to come along with it,” Jo replied as he stared at me.

I ignored my brother’s perusal as best I could and kept walking. Damien placed the trophy on the table as we ambled up to greet him.

“Pops, this is Coach Damien Banning. Damien, my father, Tobias.”

Damien sat down on the picnic bench, so he was eye level with my father. My dad reached out a shaky hand and Damien took it in two of his. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir. It’s been a privilege to coach Silas.”

“And often, a pain,” I added, chuckling. “Don’t deny it, Damien.”

Damien rolled those gorgeous blues and then offered a smile at my father.

“He’s stubborn, your son.”

“Y-yes… n-n-nice… m-m-meet… y-yo… y-yo… you… t-t…” Dad paused, shaking his head, struggling to reach that last word. Damien sat patiently and waited. “T-t-too.”

My dad could have used his phone to type out a response but the fact that he insisted on speaking told me a lot. There was no question that I got my resilience from him. I squeezed his shoulder in response and swallowed down my emotions.

“How about I take some pictures of you and Silas and Jo with the trophy?” Damien offered and stood up again.

I held Damien’s gaze for longer than I should’ve and nodded.

“That’d be amazing, thanks,” I replied, resisting the urge to lean over and kiss him.

Dad tapped on the arm of his wheelchair.

“Pops? What is it?”

Dad motioned to his pocket. “P-phone.”

“Of course.”

I took his phone and passed it over to Damien. Then I grabbed hold of the massive wood and silver trophy and rested it on my hip while Jo stood beside me, flanking Dad. Damien held the phone up and began to take photos.

“Perfect,” Damien announced. “A few more.”

“How about one with you, Coach?” I asked.

Damien nodded and slowly walked over, sliding in beside me, then raised up the phone for a selfie. When he showed me the shot, I nearly dropped the prize.

I wasn’t smiling for the photo, but at Damien. And he was looking at me too.

And when my brother and father asked to look at the picture?

Our secret was no more.