Page 29

Liam

A warm afternoon breeze blows by as I walk through the winding pathway of the university campus. Monday’s schedule is always packed, barely allowing me enough time to eat. Since I ended up missing lunch, I’m dragging my feet to the café by the library, hoping to grab a sandwich.

Hayden and I drove back to Knightswood this morning and since we parted, I haven’t seen him all day. He told me he’d be stuck at practice until seven this evening, so I doubt we’ll be seeing each other at all tonight.

A sliver of disappointment settles in my gut.

It’s barely been a day and I’m already missing the weekend I spent with Hayden. The cozy cocoon we built back at the beach house makes me want to go back there again.

Just as I’m mulling over the idea of going back there next weekend, something makes me stop in my tracks. Up ahead, two familiar figures wave at me.

I spot Logan Johnson, Hayden’s team captain, with another one of his teammates. Mitchikov , my mind whispers the name as I take in the taller, bigger guy beside him wearing stylish sneakers and a biker jacket.

I turn around, wondering if they’re waving toward someone else.

To my surprise, there’s no one behind me, making me realize they’re here for me.

Uh oh...do they know something about me and Hayden?

“Hey, Liam,” Mitchikov calls out to me.

My stomach twists even though his tone and body language aren’t aggressive.

Logan limps toward me. Concern flickers through me as I remember the awful injury that forced him to quit the game against Silverlake University.

I almost feel bad for him but the prospect of facing a confrontation with Hayden’s teammates keeps me from feeling too sorry for him. Taking a deep breath, I step forward.

“Hi,” I say, keeping up a neutral expression.

While Logan takes a moment to study me, Mitchikov cuts to the chase. “Was Hayden with you this weekend?”

My hands ball into tight fists as I feel both their gazes on me.

I consider lying to them. Telling them I have no idea about where Hayden has been would be the easiest way to avoid them.

But just how long would I have to keep lying?

Just a couple of days ago I’d broken into their changing room, demanding to know where Hayden was. They already know I’m his tutor and care enough about him to see how he’s doing after losing a game.

The two guys standing before me aren’t Hayden’s enemies, especially Mitchikov who took hits after hits to protect Hayden and the other players during the game. He’s so passionate, that he even went after their opponents, making sure he got them back for hurting his teammates.

I take a deep breath, meeting their gazes. “Yeah,” I say in a quiet voice. “Hayden was with me.”

They exchange a glance, something unspoken passing between them.

Logan limps closer to me. “Can we talk?” he asks, gesturing toward the cafeteria in the distance. “We’ll buy you a donut for your time.”

A sudden snigger escapes me. I wasn’t expecting a bribe from them.

“Yeah, okay,” I say, feeling amused.

“So, what’s your major?” Mitchikov asks, grinning with interest.

“I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Physics,” I explain to them, hoping they won’t assume I’m a young undergrad student. “I used to help Hayden with Math.”

“Used to?” Logan catches on immediately.

“Uhh...we had a misunderstanding between us and I canceled our lessons,” I tell him, feeling uncomfortable.

“But you still came to look for him after the game,” Mitchikov says with an amused grin. “I guess you still care about him.”

Logan digs an elbow into his teammate’s ribs which makes him shut up.

When we enter the cafeteria, they choose a secluded table at the very back of the dining area and usher me into a chair.

“I’ll go get that donut Johnson promised,” Mitchikov says, staying on his feet while Logan takes a seat. “Do you want anything else?”

“A caramel latte, please,” I say, digging into my pocket to take my wallet out.

“Hey, don’t worry about that,” Mitchikov says at once. “Coffee and donuts are on us.”

“Oh,” I mumble. “Thanks.”

“Don’t you two dare start talking until I get back with our food,” Mitchikov hisses with a warning look in his eyes. “I want to hear everything .”

He walks away while constantly turning around to make sure Logan and I aren’t talking. This guy could be the Hulk’s cousin but he’s a complete goofball.

“He’s kind of an idiot,” Logan says, making me turn my attention to him. “Ignore him.”

I shrug, not knowing what to say to fill the silence that falls between us.

“I’m Logan, by the way,” he says, extending his hand toward me. “I’m the team’s captain.”

I take his hand and give it a firm shake. “I guess you already know who I am,” I say with an awkward chuckle.

“Hey, I said no talking until I get back!” Mitchikov is suddenly back at our table, glaring at Logan with an accusing stare.

“I was just introducing myself. Jeez, Mitchikov!” Logan says, throwing his hands up in the air.

“Couldn’t you wait for me too? I haven’t introduced myself to him either.” He turns toward me and nearly punches me in the face as he throws his hand out at me. “I’m Pavel Mitchikov,” he says, grinning excitedly. “I play on the team as one of their defensemen.”

“Hi,” I say, capturing his hand.

Pavel sits in the chair beside mine and looks utterly relaxed.

“What about our order?” Logan asks, folding his arms over his chest.

“Maggie’s working on her shift right now,” Pavel says, grinning. “She agreed to bring our food over when our coffees are ready.”

“So, let’s chat,” Pavel says, turning his full attention to me. “Are you and Hayden together?”

I stare at him, half-amused and half-worried.

I’ve never met anyone who was so fucking direct. He just asks whatever comes to his mind!

“I—” I hesitate, wondering how to proceed. “Why do you want to know that?”

“Because Bastian isn’t the same person when he’s with us,” Logan says in a low, grim tone. He lets out a breath, shaking his head. “We’ve been playing in the same team with him for the past three years and he’s never allowed us to get close to him. He doesn’t party with us. He doesn’t even go on road trips with us. We have to force him to hang out with us.”

“Yep,” Pavel agrees, continuing. “He’ll only join us when we have to go to some other city for our games. Do you know he won’t even drink with us?”

“Oh, I didn’t know that,” I say slowly.

“So, do you think it’s surprising for us to think you mean something different to Hayden?” Logan asks. “He’s barely known you for a few months and he’s already spent the weekend with you. He’s allowed you to be close to him. That means something, right?”

I stare at them, unsure what to say.

Thankfully, a young waitress comes to the table, giving me a chance to consider what they’re trying to tell me.

“Hey, who’s this cutie?” the girl asks, fluttering her extra-long lashes at me. “Is he on your team or something?”

I stare at the waitress, wondering if she’s crazy. There’s no way a guy like me would ever survive a game of ice hockey with these muscular giants.

“Nah, he’s our date,” Pavel says, wrapping an arm around the back of my chair. “Glad you think he’s cute.”

“Huh?” I stare at him while the young woman blushes hard and grins at the three of us.

“Can I join you guys sometimes?” she asks, biting her red-painted lip. “I’d love to hang out with a cute guy like him. He seems kind of cool too. I’m Maggie, by the way.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Pavel curses under his breath. “Leave him alone, Mags. The dude belongs to us.”

I stare at Logan, wondering if he’s as disturbed by Pavel’s lies as me.

To my shock, Logan just sits there with a relaxed grin on his face.

“Well, you know how to get in touch with me,” Maggie says, looking toward Pavel and squeezing my shoulder.

“What the hell was that?” I hiss when she finally leaves our table.

Pavel grins. “I just wanted to prove to you that we’re cool with Hayden dating a guy.”

“My friend’s a bit dramatic but yeah,” Logan says, grabbing a tumbler of coffee. “We have no problem if you’re dating Hayden.”

“Hayden’s our teammate and our friend,” Pavel says in a grim tone. “Even if he doesn’t think so of us, we want to be there for him. People on the team admire him for his talent on the ice, not what he does behind closed doors with a consenting adult. We just want him to feel comfortable with us.”

A strange emotion takes root in my chest.

Hayden’s been so scared to come out of the closet, fearing his teammates would reproach him for being gay. He’s always dreading the day someone will find out about our relationship and his hockey career would go up in flames.

And now, Logan and Pavel are telling me they don’t care if Hayden’s gay and dating me. They’re here, talking to a stranger because they can’t directly speak to him.

Pavel’s little lie with the waitress is proof enough that he isn’t embarrassed about dating a guy. Even Logan acted like they were both truly on a date with me here.

I exhale a heavy breath, realizing I can trust both Logan and Pavel.

“All right,” I say, meeting both their gazes. “Hayden and I are together. He spent the weekend with me at my home in Long Island. The reason I took him there was to keep him safe from his dad.”

“Wait,” Logan says, looking grim. “Can you tell us what happened between Hayden and his dad?”

Anger shoots through me as I remember the scene I’d witnessed. “Hayden’s dad is a horrible man. He verbally and physically abused Hayden after the game. By the time he was finished, Hayden could barely stand on his two feet.”

“Shit.” Pavel’s expression turns angry. “Hayden was bruised and beaten like the rest of us but when he left the locker room that night, he was still fine. I can’t believe his dad of all people would attack him like that.”

“Hayden didn’t tell me much but I believe he was abused as a child too,” I tell them. “I didn’t want to push him too hard, so I didn’t ask him too many questions.”

Logan lets out a sigh. “That’s okay. Hayden will tell you everything in time.”

Pavel’s expression darkens. “I knew there was something off about the man when I met him during our game last season. He was openly drinking and staring at Hayden like he wanted to go at him with a hockey stick for scoring goals.”

“I don’t know what to do to help Hayden,” I say, looking toward Logan. “I just want him to be safe...” My voice wavers. “I can’t let him go through another episode with his dad. Do you know he doesn’t even protect himself? He didn’t retaliate once while he was being kicked and beaten. He just kept taking the hits like he’s used to it.”

“That son-of-a,” Pavel hisses, looking angry. For the first time since I met him, I’m getting a glimpse of the ruthlessness he hides under his cheerful grin.

Logan’s gaze softens. “You’re not alone, Liam. We’ll make sure Hayden’s dad never touches him again.”

There’s a silent promise in Pavel’s grim gaze as he places a hand on my shoulder.

“Do you want me to talk to Hayden?” I ask them. “Let him know that you guys are cool about me and everything?”

Logan nods. “You can let Hayden know that we have no problems with him and his choice of partner. As long as he keeps up that fighting spirit, we’ll do everything we can to keep him on the team.”

“We’ll protect him from that asshole dad of his too,” Pavel says with an icy look in his eyes.

Warmth and relief flow through me. With both Logan's and Pavel's reassurances, I don’t feel so alone anymore in my fight against Hayden’s father.

Suddenly, I can’t wait to get out of here and run to Hayden. He has to know he doesn’t have to live another day in fear and that we can be together without jeopardizing his hockey career.

For the first time, I feel hopeful of a happy future with Hayden.