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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

JETT

W ith my head pounding, I fluttered my eyes as open as I could get them. Where the hell was I? My gaze caught an IV bag dripping above my head and the railing on my bed. The hospital? Shit. Staggered memories flooded my brain. Fucking Boyd took a cheap shot at me. I shifted and pain jolted up my side and down my left leg. “Ouch, fuck.” A dull ache rippled up my jaw and into my neck.

Mason’s face hovered over me with one black eye and a scab on his lip. “You’re awake.” His gaze searched my face. “How are you feeling, babe?” With his brows knitting, he brushed his finger down my cheek. “Do you remember much?”

“Just bits and pieces.” His voice floated through my brain… I love you, babe. Come back to me. With a hard swallow, I locked my gaze on his, and my eyes stung. Had he really said that? I was pretty sure he had. “You, um…” I wet my lips. Fuck, they were dry. “Can I get some water?”

“Yes, of course.” He hurried to a stainless-steel table on a roller, poured water from a pitcher into a cup, and handed it to me. “The nurse brought this in last night.”

“Thanks.” I drank a few gulps and gave it back to him. There was so much to ask, but out of all the shit that had happened, I only w anted to know one thing. With an ache growing in my chest, I asked, “Do you love me?” I pursed my lips. I could blame the head injury for blurting it out.

“Yes.” He leaned over the bed rail and skimmed a lock of hair off my forehead. “I told you that, and you came back to me.” A soft grin graced his lips and his eyes grew glossy.

I nodded slowly, my heart pattering like it wanted to free itself from my body. “I, uh, I love you too.” I placed my hand on his and squeezed.

“You sure? You hit your head pretty hard.” He freed a soft snort. “But I am irresistible, so…”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “And full of yourself, but yeah, I’m sure.” My gaze met his. “I knew it after the night on the beach.”

“Yeah? Me too.” Bending over the bar, he pressed a lingering kiss on my lips. “Even with morning hospital breath.”

“Shut up.” It was just like us for our confession to go down this way. I looked around the room at the small sink in the corner and the mirror above it. “I bet I look like hell.” Could I even get up? “What all is wrong with me?”

“Well, you’ve got stitches in your head, a concussion, and a few cracked ribs.” His gaze raked over me, inspecting me. “And a couple of shiners and your jaw looks bruised.” Grabbing my chin, he moved it back and forth.

“Okay.” I pushed his hand off me, my full bladder making itself known. “I need to piss.” It would hurt like a motherfucker, but I could get up with those injuries. It wasn’t like I had a broken leg. I threw the covers off me and adjusted my gown.

“Hold your horses, there. You’re hooked up to all kinds of shit.” He held up the call button for the nurse and pressed it.

A woman in scrubs with dark hair in a ponytail strode into the room. “Hi, I’m Sam, your nurse today. What can I help you with?”

“He has to pee, but he’s all hooked up.” Mason set his hand flat on my stomach like he had to hold me down.

“Oh, sure.” She stepped to my bedside and unhooked the cables from me. “You might be dizzy, so let’s help you up,” she said, lowering the bed rail.

As I threw my legs over the side, my head spun, and a wave of nausea balled in my gut. She was right about that. I breathed in deeply for a moment while it passed.

“You okay?” Mason warmed my back with one hand and grabbed my arm with his other one. “You got pale all of a sudden.”

“I’m okay.” I snuck a glance at the nurse. “Can I have some pain meds and maybe something for nausea?”

“Sure, right after we get you into the restroom.” She gave me a warm smile.

With a grimace, I set my feet on the floor and stood, straightening my spine and stretching my sore muscles. Everything hurt. How long had I been in bed?

“Do you feel like you’re going to pass out or anything?” Mason hooked an arm around my waist.

“Nope, I’m good.” I took a few steps and fingered the back of my head, my pads grazing over the bumps of the stitches. “Did they shave my hair?” Fuck, did I have a bald spot too?

As his mouth dropped open, Mason glanced at the nurse and leaned back to look behind me. “Uh, a little? It’s not bad, really. You can hardly tell.”

“Shit.” With a chuckle, I slowly shook my head. Nothing I could do about it now.

“Let me go with you. I don’t want you falling in there.” Mason walked beside me, arm wrapped around me and hand gripping my hip.

“You going to hold it for me too?” I grabbed his free hand and the IV pole and stepped into the restroom, dragging the IV in.

The nurse giggled behind us.

“I am.” Mason shut the door. “I can’t wait to get in your gown.” He pecked my cheek and untied the strap from around my waist .

Lifting my arms up, I said, “You’re not really going to hold it for me, right?” That would just be weird.

“I will if you want me to. You’re my man, Jett Jarvis, and I’ll do pretty much anything for you.” He beamed at me. “Anything.” His gaze softened.

What was he hiding? Something was going on. I pushed the gown aside and did my business and he helped me out as I rolled the IV pole along. I wasn’t as woozy as when I’d first gotten up.

After he brought me to the sink, I washed my hands and glanced in the mirror. “Holy shit.” Both my eyes were swollen and black and blue from my nose outward. I turned my head. A purplish-yellow spot rested over the corner of my jaw. Heat fluttered in my chest. “I’m going to kill that fucker Boyd the next time I see him.” I pulled a few towels out of the holder and dried my hands.

“He got suspended for a week.” Mason clenched his jaw. “We have some things to talk about, but not until you’re feeling better.”

I snapped my gaze to his. “Like what? I didn’t start it. He did.” My gaze found the nurse. She probably had no idea what we were talking about.

“Just…” He patted my forearm. “Let’s get you back into bed and comfortable, then we’ll talk.”

Shit, something else did happen. “Okay.” I dragged my IV pole with me while I strolled with Mason to my bed and carefully climbed in.

“Here, I’ve got some Tylenol and antinausea medication for you.” The nurse pushed the drugs into the IV with a syringe.

“Thanks.” I glanced at Mason. Whatever he had to say, it probably would be better in private.

“Is there anything else you need?” she asked with a smile. “When your stomach feels better, you can order breakfast through the phone. The menu is on the table.” She pointed at a phone resting on the edge of my bed by my hip .

“I think we’re okay now.” At this point, I was dying to hear what Mason had to say. I snuck a peek at him, chewing on his upper lip. He looked nervous. I’d never seen him nervous before. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Okay, then I’ll leave you.” She turned on her heels and walked out.

Mason strode to the door, shut it and came back to my bedside, then grabbed my hand in both of his. “Do you want to order breakfast first? You hungry?”

“No, I want to hear about what’s going on.” Bringing his hand to my lips, I kissed the back of it. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” Whatever it was.

He glanced around the room, focused on me and puffed out a ragged breath. “A lot of shit went down during that fight. A lot of the guys on the team got into it and…well…” Under his breath and dipping his head, he said, “Fuck.” His gaze snapped to mine. “I went after the whole team and yelled at their bench. I said some shit about how they treated you. The press caught wind of it, and the NHL is forming an investigation, and?—”

“Oh my God.” I rubbed my forehead and stared at the bedsheets. Okay, no wonder he was so nervous. “An investigation into what exactly?” My gaze found his.

“Into what happened with you in Dallas.” He twisted his lips. “I think.” He freed a long sigh. “I spoke with Coach Dupont and Archer last night. The team sent them both to the hospital, thinking he could handle our situation best.”

With a slow nod, I said, “Yeah, okay. So Coach knows about us?” I flicked my finger between us.

“Archer told him. He didn’t say too much about it, except that we’re great together on the ice.” He grinned.

As numbness flowed over me, I peered at him. What could they do if we were in a relationship outside of the team? Nothing. I smirked. “You know, I don’t think the league has ever had this problem before. So I’ll bet there’s nothing in our contracts and no thing in the policy about players dating each other.” I’d have Will look into it for me.

“I think you may be right.” The corner of his mouth curled. “Anyway, there’s more. The Coyotes say they’re willing to stand behind you if you want to come out.” He worried his lower lip, fixating on me.

My chest clenched. Was I strong enough though? “Okay.”

“And your dad is on his way here with Eleanor.” He winced. “Archer and Coach Dupont said they’ll try to stall them somehow if you need them to.”

“Fuck.” I breathed in deeply and exhaled, willing my pattering heart to slow the fuck down. “When are they supposed to be here, and why the hell are they coming? They’re supposed to be on their second honeymoon.”

“They’re flying in this afternoon, and I have no idea why.” He wrapped his hand around my forearm. “This morning, I dug into social media and some of the bigger sports stations and blogs. Apparently, the question of what happened in Dallas is big news and…” He huffed. “And there are already rumors about you being queer. Some are calling what Boyd did a hate crime.” He dipped his gaze.

“Well, it sort of was, wasn’t it?” A heavy weight lifted off my heart. Fuck it, fuck all of them. “I’m coming out. I’m done with this shit, and I don’t care what Eleanor says about it.” She was the only one holding me back now. With pain slicing into my side, I cupped Mason’s cheek. “I’m gonna need you, babe.” The word didn’t sound weird at all now.

“You have me. You know that.” His gaze flicked between my eyes and his hold on me tightened. “I’ll run offense for you so you can rest and get better. It’s what I do.” Bending over the rail, he kissed my cheek. “Just tell me how you want to handle your dad and Eleanor.”

Dropping my arm to my side, I said, “I really don’t know. I suppose being direct is best. I’d hate for Dad to find out about us from t he press.” I gritted my teeth for a moment. “Eleanor, I really don’t care what she thinks.”

“Okay, so please order some breakfast and get some nutrition in you. Then I want you to sleep some more.” He brushed his hand over the top of my hair. “The last thing we need is for all this shit to stop you from getting better.”

“I’ll be fine.” I scoffed. “I’m a hockey player.” With a soft snort, I glanced at him. With Mason by my side, I could take on anything.

“Yeah, whatever.” He waved me off and brought me the menu from the rolling table. “Here. Order something.”

After eating breakfast and taking a long nap, I had the energy to clean up a little bit. Every time I thought about seeing Dad, my gut knotted. But it was time. And shit, I should call Iris. “Hey, where’s my phone?”

Mason, sitting in the recliner next to the bed and scrolling on his phone, looked over at me. “Uh, in the closet with your gear, I think.” He jumped up, rummaged through there and came back with my phone, tapping on the screen. “Holy fuck, you have a lot of messages.”

“Yeah?” I held out my hand and he planted the phone in my palm. I checked the screen, wincing as pain throbbed in my head, struggling to focus on the texts and notifications rolling under my thumb as I swiped. “Guess so. I’m going to call Iris first.”

“Okay. Want me to get the door?” He strode to it and shut it.

Didn’t even have to answer him. “Sure.” I called Iris, setting the phone to speaker.

It rang once. “Oh my God, Jett, how are you? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m calling from my hospital room, and I’ve got you on speaker. Mason is here with me.” I glanced at him, all showered and comfortable in a set of team athletic clothes Archer had dropped off earlier. God, how I loved this man. Emotion bloomed in my chest. He hadn’t left my side for a second.

“Oh, good. I’m glad he’s there with you. I heard Dad and Eleanor are there,” she said.

“Well, not here just yet. I think they’re on their way.” I snuck a peek at Mason.

“Their flight gets in around three, so we expect them to be here later this afternoon.” Mason sat in his chair and leaned on the bed rail, peering into the phone.

“Okay, so what are you going to tell them? Word is the fight was a hate crime.” She huffed. “Which I totally agree with, and so does everyone I know.”

“Does everyone you know think I’m gay then?” I rubbed my finger along the edge of the phone. The viral social media posts from a few weeks ago were probably ringing true right about now.

“Honestly? Yes.” She choked out a laugh. “It’s pretty hard to deny the chemistry you and Mason have on the ice.”

With a shake of my head, I chuckled. “I suppose.” There was no way to hide my feelings for Mason. “I’m coming out to Dad when he gets here.”

“Yeah?” Clapping sounded through the phone. “Good. I’m so happy for you, Jett. He needs to know, and Eleanor can fuck off.”

Mason barked out a laugh. “Damn right.” He leaned down to my phone, resting on my thigh. “Have I told you how much I love you, Iris?”

“Not yet, but now you have. Love you too, Mason. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my brother,” she said with a soft giggle.

“Jesus, you two.” As the corners of my eyes pricked, I rubbed them. Mason fit so well in my life and to have him get along with my sister like this? I really could have it all.

“So tell me if you need anything from me. I almost flew out there myself, but I had a stupid test today.” She huffed .

“No, we’ve got this. You get through your school shit.” Mason glanced at me and focused on the phone. “Whatever Eleanor brings, I’m ready for her. She doesn’t scare me.”

“Just like the whole Dallas organization didn’t scare you?” she asked.

“Damn right.” A wide grin swept over his lips.

“I have every faith in you, Mason. My brother is in good hands.” She sighed. “Now tell me why they admitted you, Jett? What are your injuries?”

I breathed in deeply. “Concussion, a couple of busted ribs?—”

“And his gorgeous face is a mess, but I love him anyway.” Mason planted a quick kiss on my cheek.

“Send me a picture. I want to see how bad he is,” she said.

As Mason held up his phone, I covered it with my hand. “No, please don’t.” It would only make her worry. “I’m fine, Iris. It’s not the first black eye I’ve ever had.”

“Fine.” She huffed a sigh. “Let me know how things go with Dad and Eleanor and if you need me to talk to him after.”

“I will.” The door slowly opened, and the nurse peeked her head in.

“Time for your meds,” the nurse said.

“Okay, gotta go, Iris. Love you.” I plucked the phone off my thigh.

“Love you both. Bye.” She hung up the call.

After taking my meds and eating lunch, I decided to tackle some of the logistics of formally coming out to the league and the team. “Hey, I’m going to call Will now.” Mason had helped me by reading through my messages aloud and responding to most of them for me, some from former teammates, but Will was next in line.

“Sure.” Mason sat in his recliner, eating a long Subway sandwich. “I think your agent is probably more knowledgeable in this s hit than mine. My dude is pretty new.” He stuffed the sandwich into his mouth and took a bite.

“Yep.” Funny, I’d never heard him mention his agent before, but he must have one. I dialed Will and placed the phone to my ear.

After a few rings he picked up. “Jett, I was wondering when you’d call. How are you feeling?”

Of course he’d kept tabs on the situation. “Better. I should be out of here today or tomorrow, but I’m sure Coach will keep me benched for a few weeks. I ended up with a concussion.” I picked at a thread on my gown.

“That fall you took was brutal. I’m not surprised.” Will inhaled deeply. “What do you want to do about the situation? I’ve already spoken to the Coyotes and they’re on board with backing you up if you want to formally come out and file a complaint against Boyd.”

“I’ve heard that already. Coach Dupont was here talking to…” My gaze drifted to Mason. It was time to tell him about the maybe bigger problem. “We should talk about the fact that I need to come out to the organization about Mason being my boyfriend.”

Mason licked sauce off his fingers, his gaze flicking to mine.

“I was wondering when it would come to that.” Will huffed a soft chuckle.

“Yes, I think it’s time.” I fisted my hands, sucked in a breath and braced myself.

Mason’s eyes widened and a slight grin curled his lips.

“Who else knows right now?” Will asked.

“A few people on the team, Archer Carlson and his father, Coach Dupont, and Volkov.” My pulse kicked up a notch. Did he expect me to keep it a secret? “Will? There’s nothing about dating another player on the same team in the league policies, right?” I freed a stuttered laugh. “It’s not like they’ve even come across it before. At least not in the open.”

“I think you might be right.” Will sighed heavily. “Jesus, Jett, you an d Hopkins may be the reason they’ll have to add it into the policy.” He chuckled. “You couldn’t pick a goalie or a D-man? You had to go with a guy on your same line even?”

I glanced at Mason. “I couldn’t help it. He’s irresistible.” A wide grin swept over my mouth.

Mason beamed at me, hopped up, kissed my forehead, and whispered, “Damn right.”

“Okay. Let me think on this, look over some stuff and get back to you. I think you’ll be okay legally since I’m sure there’s nothing written about such a thing, but I’m not sure they’ll keep you both playing on the same line.” Will tsked. “Which is a shame because you two were great together, along with Volkov.”

“Maybe we’re so good together, they’ll have to just accept it.” I gave Mason a warm smile as he finished off his sandwich.

“We’ll see. This could go either way with the fans. If you keep playing well together, you could become the new hockey darlings. If not, well, you could become the most hated couple in the NHL.” Will released a soft snort.

My stomach tensed. “Fuck, hadn’t thought of that.” I snuck a peek at Mason, watching me. “We won’t let the team or the fans down.” No, Mason and I were good together, and I was sure we’d be undefeatable, on and off the ice.

“Okay, so before you go telling anyone else from the team about you two, let me look into some things,” Will said. “And, Jett? What do you want to do about the situation with Boyd?”

“I want to come out formally, and whatever information the league needs from me, I’m on board and willing to go on record. Nothing needs to be kept secret at this point.” My heart quickened. I was really doing this.

Mason stood, stepped to my bedside, and placed his hand on my shoulder. “We got this, babe.”

“What about your dad?” Will asked.

“I’m coming out to him today. He’s on his way here.” I pressed my lips together, my gaze meeting Mason’s.

He pulled me into his chest .

“Okay, good luck with that and let me know if there’s anything I can do. I’m happy for you, Jett. I think this will be good for you.” Will’s smile carried through in his voice.

“Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Will.” Truth was, he’d always been there for me and my career. I owed him so much. I breathed through the tightness in my chest.

“You’re very welcome, Jett. Working with such a talented player has been a pleasure.” Will inhaled. “Now, go get your things in order with your family and I’ll work on the rest of it.”

“Of course. Thanks again. Bye.” I knew he’d plan the whole thing, and all I’d need to do was show up.

“Bye.” The call ended.

“So?” Mason lifted his brows and rubbed soothing circles on my back.

“So, I can come out to Dad about us, but Will wants to keep us under wraps until he looks into things a little bit more.” I peeked at him. “But we will tell the team about us.”

“You think they’ll split up our line?” He snuck his lower lip between his teeth.

“Don’t know. I can’t imagine they will if they want to win.” I gave him my best smirk. Our relationship might prove to be an advantage if they kept us together.

“Absolutely.” He hugged me into his chest.