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TWENTY-NINE

ETHAN

The locker room was silent as I toweled off after my shower. Most of the campers had already left, heading out to enjoy the lunch break.

After giving up trying to sleep around three, I hadn’t been sure how I’d have the energy to make it through the day after an exhausting weekend. After working around the house for a few hours, I came in to shoot pucks a little after six.

My outlook on the day had only improved when Andre and I ended up with similar ideas for lunch invitations. The exchange of pastries earlier seemed like a positive sign, but we had a lot to work through.

I pulled fresh clothes out of my locker, dark jeans and a soft blue T-shirt—nicer than my usual camp attire of sweats—for our meetup.

“You’re overthinking again.” Liam’s voice startled me. He leaned against the doorframe, coffee cup in hand. “I see it in your face.”

“Maybe a little.” I sat down to lace up my sneakers.

“So lunch with Andre?” He settled onto the bench beside me.

“Yeah.” I got up to check my hair in the small mirror on my locker door, trying to make it just so. “We’re meeting at Special Blend.”

“Good.” He nodded.

I waited, sure he had more to say. “No advice before I go?”

“Do you want any?” Liam asked, studying me.

I shook my head with a small smile. “I think everyone covered it last night.”

“Exactly.” He grinned. “You know I’m here if you need to talk after.”

“Thanks,” I said as I closed my locker.

He stood and clapped me on the shoulder. “Now go get your man.”

I hoped that Andre wanted to be my man as much as I wanted that. Despite our history, including yesterday’s blowup, I was more attracted to Andre than anyone else ever. When I wasn’t around Andre during the past few days, I’d been searching for ways to be with him.

Even when we were in high school, while it had felt like he was bullying me sometimes, there was also the fact that I’d wanted to do the things he’d asked me to do.

I wouldn’t tolerate being berated or made to feel bad, but if we could communicate effectively like Austin and Kyle did, I believed we had a decent chance of success.

Even if that chance had to play out long distance.

My heart started hammering as soon as I approached Special Blend. Through the window, I saw Andre already seated at our table, reading his phone. He smiled at whatever was on the screen. Unlike yesterday’s tension, happiness softened his features.

A good sign for our chat.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. The wonderful scent of coffee and baked goods wrapped around me as conversations buzzed throughout the packed cafe. Andre looked up at the bell’s chime, and our eyes met.

I walked back to the table, and he rose just as I got to him. He stepped forward as I came closer, narrowing the gap between us.

“Hi,” I said softly.

“Hey.” His smile reassured me.

We moved in unison again, connecting in a brief hug.

It’d hardly been more than a day since breakfast yesterday, but I already missed these moments of connection. Still, I made sure to let him go as soon as he pulled back.

The contact brought up memories of touching more than just his arms.

“Thank you for the scones,” he said as we separated. “They were perfect with my morning coffee.”

“The maple tarts were wonderful too.” I ached to kiss him. “Tommy and Milo were very smooth with their delivery. They could have a future as a spy team.”

Several people glanced our way with poorly concealed interest. “Want to get something to go? Take a walk?”

Jenny took our orders with a bright smile but didn’t comment beyond asking if we wanted our usual drinks as well. She’d had a front-row seat to us getting to this point in the day.

While we waited, Andre and I stood near the pickup counter, maintaining a careful distance.

“How was camp today?” he asked, his voice quiet enough that only I could hear.

“Good. This group has exceeded where we expected them to be at the end of the first week.” I was thrilled for each of them. “This was already an advanced session, so it’s thrilling. Liam and I are talking this afternoon about how much more we can throw at them.”

“That’s great. A testament to the coaching.” Andre’s smile set off flutters in my chest.

“I fear there’s not enough of us. Kyle’s staying this week instead of going home for a few days. Miles and Cole are coming back early too so we can have more support.”

“Sounds like your camp is growing like the festival did.”

He’d nailed it with that comparison.

Our order came up, and we headed out into the pleasant summer day. With Maple Street quieter, it was easy to stroll.

“The festival seemed like a tremendous success,” I said as we headed out of the cafe. “How’s the feedback been?”

Andre’s face lit up. “Incredible. I met with Wade, Olivia, and Mickey earlier. The live stream numbers were beyond expectations with viewers from as far away as Australia and Germany. The vendors set up in Maplewood City Park were thrilled with the traffic and sales. We don’t have all the info from the stores in town, but so far it seems all positive. ”

“That’s fantastic.” I smiled, enjoying his obvious satisfaction with what the team had accomplished.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed talking to him about normal, everyday things.

We crossed the street into the park, and he stopped at a shaded bench. “Shall we sit?”

We settled, sitting on opposite ends of the bench. The remains of the festival surrounded us. Tent patterns were still visible in the grass. The tree we planted was still in its pot, a dolly next to it signaling that someone would soon move it for replanting.

Andre set his cup and the bag with his lunch down in the space between us and turned to face me.

“Let me just start with my apology.” His voice was steady but full of emotion.

“The way I treated you at the parade… I fell back into old patterns, and I hurt you so much. I don’t know how to apologize enough. ”

The sincerity in his words touched me. “Thank you.” I sat my food next to his.

“I know the festival was important, but…” I gathered my thoughts.

“When you shut me down from explaining, it brought back all those old feelings. Of not being heard. Not being understood. Of my feelings being disregarded.”

“God, Ethan.” Andre’s face crumpled. “That’s the last thing I ever wanted to do, but I didn’t stop myself in the moment either. When I found out that you’d helped Kirk through his anxiety… I should’ve known you were doing something important.”

“It’s not all on you,” I admitted. “I should’ve let you know what was up. All I could focus on was someone who needed help. I know all too well the impact of anxiety.”

Andre reached for my hand, hesitating before taking it. His touch was grounding. “You’re amazing with young people, you know that? The way you connect with them, help them… It’s beautiful to watch.”

I squeezed his hand, grateful for the connection. “I had good role models. Mrs. Goddard, my moms, Liam—they all showed me what it means to really see someone who’s struggling.”

“I’ve been thinking about how we can avoid doing this again.” Andre’s hand flexed on top of mine. “Remember I told you I’ve been seeing a therapist?”

I nodded encouragingly.

“She’s helped me understand where that habit comes from and how to manage it better.

” He looked away for a moment before bringing his gaze back to mine.

“Clearly it continues to bere a work in progress. Anyway, I wondered… would you consider coming to a session with me? Talk about our history and how we can build something healthy?”

The suggestion caught me off guard in the best way. It showed how serious he was about making this work. “I’d like that.” I maneuvered our hands so his was in mine. “Therapy’s done a lot for me over the years too. So, yes, let’s do some together.”

Relief flooded his features.

“I want this to work. These past few days, despite yesterday… You’re all I could think about last night.”

His breath caught. “Me too. I…” He paused, seeming to gather his courage. “I’m falling for you, Ethan. And it terrifies me, but…”

My heart soared. “Oh, I think I’ve already fallen for you. Hard.” A weight lifted as I admitted this. “That’s what I wanted to tell you after the concert. Before everything happened.”

“We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?” His smile was tender. “We almost allowed ourselves to lose this.”

“Speaking of this.” I raised our hands up. “Would you have dinner with me tonight? Somewhere nice?”

“I’d love that.” His smile brightened. “Giuseppe’s?”

“Perfect.” The Italian restaurant was a favorite. “Seven o’clock?”

“Yes, seven.”

Just then, both our phones buzzed. We moved to get them out of our pockets.

“It’s Mickey,” we said simultaneously.

Mickey: Just an FYI. You two are the talk of every table in here. Expect a callout in Maplewood Matters since this is making the rounds.

He’d attached a photo, one that had to have been taken from across the street, that showed us sitting close, with me holding Andre’s hand.

Andre looked up, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. “Maybe we should rethink eating out?”

“Come to my place instead?” I suggested. “I can grab takeout from Giuseppe’s on my way home. Same food. No audience.”

“Perfect.” Andre smiled, relieved. “Can you get me the chicken marsala? It’s my favorite.”

“Chicken marsala it is. And we won’t have the entire town knowing what happens.”

He glanced at his watch and sighed. “I should head back. I have a meeting about the summer reading program I can’t miss.”

We stood, gathering our uneaten food. Neither of us seemed eager to part, even though we’d be seeing each other in just a few hours.

“Thank you,” I said softly, “for being willing to work through this with me.”

“Thank you for the chance.” He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “Can I kiss you?”

Instead of answering, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was gentle, sweet with promise, and I felt him smile against my mouth.

“That’ll give the people in Red’s something to talk about.” Andre had the silliest grin across his face. “I’ll see you tonight?”

“Tonight,” I confirmed.