Page 34 of Off Season

Jacob.

His lips are curled up in disgust. My hand balls into a fist because how fucking dare he even look in Jacob’s direction?

“E, sit down.” Jacob squeezes my thigh.

Once I’m seated, Jacob places his hand on my stubbled cheek, angling my face toward him. He presses the sweetest kiss on my lips, and the tension evaporates within an instant.

“He’s not worth it,” he murmurs for my ears only.

He isn’t, but it doesn’t stop the anger I’ve been harboring for a decade from threatening to blow up like a volcano.

Thankfully, the ceremony goes seamlessly. Both Jacob and Mom tear up, causing me to roll my eyes. We’re led into another room for a champagne reception before dinner. Mom pulls us to extended family members I barely know, but I exchange pleasantries, introducing Jacob as my partner and ensuring my hands are on him at all times.

When Jacob slips off to use the bathroom, Mom pulls me toward the makeshift bar set up on one side of the room.

“I like him.”

I sneak a look at her out of the corner of my eye, waiting for her to continue.

“He’s good for you.”

I chuckle under my breath with a shake of my head. “And what makes you say that?”

“Well, for starters, I haven’t seen you smile wide enough that your dimples pop since you lifted the Stanley Cup.” She taps my cheek with her finger. “And secondly, don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you’re looking at him. You haven’t looked at anyone that way since he-who-shall-not-be-named, and even then, it didn’t quite hold the same flame.”

My eyes find Jacob weaving his way through the crowd toward us with such grace. He smiles at everyone who stops him. His energy is so magnetizing that even strangers are drawn to his light.

“He’s too good for me,” I say, quietly enough that only Mom can hear.

“That’s bullshit, Ethan, and you know it,” she hisses. “Isn’t it lonely shutting people out all the time?”

I grunt, unable to deny it.

Because it’s true. Itislonely, but it’s also safer.

“He likes you, too.”

Jacob’s face lights up when he catches me watching him, wiggling his fingers in a wave as he gets closer.

“I think you should give this a chance. You and Jacob. I think it’ll be good for you. For both of you.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t say anything else when Jacob steps up beside us, linking his arm with mine.

“Those bathrooms are absolutely divine,” he coos. “I could’ve spent hours in there just looking at the decor.”

“It’s magical, isn’t it?” Mom loops her arm through Jacob’s other side.

While they talk animatedly about the rooms, I order us drinks and find us an empty space by one of the windows overlooking the gardens.

“I’ll leave you two; I’m going to mingle for a bit,” Mom gives me a subtle wink, then disappears into the crowd.

Motioning for Jacob to step in front of me, I wrap an arm around his waist.

“It’s so beautiful here,” he whispers, resting his head back against my chest.

I look down at him. The subtle tip of his lips, the radiance of his skin. The way his eyelashes frame the most exquisite eyes I’ve ever seen.

He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Nothing could hold a candle to his beauty.

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