Page 3 of The Waiting Game

“So Jonah and Felix can marry whoever they want whenever they’re ready,” Grandma said firmly.

Jonah hadn’t known what the battle part meant so he’d gone back to playing with his Legos.

Now, he looked over at Felix. “I just remembered. Ji-min said we could get married someday if we wanted.”

Felix grinned. “See! It must be true then. She knows everything.”

Jonah nodded. She did. “You really mean it?” he asked hopefully.

“Sure.” Felix grinned. He was missing a front tooth and his words whistled when he spoke sometimes. “I mean, Grandpa Cho and Grandma Ji-min are best friends, right?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“And we are too!” Felix’s eyes sparkled. “So we should promise to get married someday just like them. We’ll make a pact!”

Jonah grinned back. They’d already made a pact to keep this fort a secret from everyone except Jonah’s grandparents and another pact to be best friends for life.

This was probably just like that.

“Yeah, okay,” Jonah agreed.

But he already felt lighter. If Felix promised to stay with him and be his best friend and marry him, that meant he couldn’t go anywhere. Jonah would never have to worry about him leaving.

“Okay.” Felix straightened and held out his pinkie.

Jonah hooked on.

Felix’s expression was serious. Fierce the way it got when he was skating. “I, Felix James Hale, solen-solemnly promise to never leave you. And when we’re playing in the NHL and I turn thirty, we’ll get married.”

Jonah smiled when Felix tripped over the big word but he nodded. Jonah’s birthday was only four months before Felix’s so that made sense.

Jonah squared his shoulders too. “I, Jonah Zachary Brewer, solemnly swear to never leave you. And when we’re playing in the NHL and you turn thirty, we’ll get married.”

“Deal.” Felix squeezed his finger, beaming. “No takebacks.”

Jonah nodded happily. “No takebacks.”

CHAPTER ONE

APRIL, PRESENT DAY

Felix stared at the constellation of string lights against the rough garden shed ceiling, the rich smell of potting soil lingering in his nose.

Growing up, he’d come here every time he had a fight with his dad. After every bad game. Every heartbreak.

He’d been heading here before he’d lost control of the car and smashed into the SUV last fall.

How could he have been so fucking stupid?

Why hadn’t he answered Jonah’s calls that night?

Below, a door creaked and soft footfalls echoed against the cement floor.

“Thought I’d find you here.”

Felix turned his head to look at Jonah as he scrambled up the ladder to the small loft where they’d built their childhood fort.

“Yeah,” Felix said. “What are you doing here?”

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