Page 23 of Off Season

“Before you get any ideas, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s a good friend of mine who agreed to play the part of my boyfriend for the wedding.”

She frowns, dropping her hands to her sides. “What do you mean,play the part?”

I don’t answer her right away. I busy myself by making her a cup of coffee and carrying it over to where she’s taken a seat at the kitchen island. I can feel her glare burning the back of my head the entire time.

“I met Jacob at the start of the year. His brother, Alex, isdating Blaine. You’ll see for yourself when you meet him, but there’s something about Jacob that just…draws me in. He’s fun and charismatic, but when we first met, it was like his light was dimmed by debt.”

A look of understanding and sympathy washes over her.

“He owns a bakery. It’s quite successful now—it was the one where we filmed with the team earlier this year—but you know how it is with start-up businesses. He was barely keeping his head above water, so I offered to help.”

I don’t need to say any more, because Mom knows. She leans over, patting my hand, an appreciative smile on her lips.

“You’ve always been a caregiver, Ethan. Look at the times you took on any job you could, even with school and hockey, just to help me out. I don’t want you to ever change, but…are you being careful about this?”

I don’t know how I managed it when I was a teen, but I found a way because I hated seeing Mom work all the time. Being the paper boy or mowing the neighbors’ lawn was the least I could do.

“We have a contract,” I clarify. “He was adamant that we did it officially, so we’re both protected. All his debt has been paid off, and he pays me a certain amount each month—not that I need it back, but just seeing him smile has been…” I trail off, shaking my head.

“Oh, Ethan. That’s such a lovely thing to do.”

I glance out the window, trying to ignore the swelling in my chest under my mom’s praise.

“So, how did the fake boyfriend thing come about?” she asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

A groan escapes me. “A few of the boys turned up at myapartment because I kinda went into hiding after the season ended. They demanded to come inside—you know what they’re like—and I ended up mentioning how I didn’t really want to come to the wedding.”

“It was Blaine’s idea, wasn’t it?” She grins.

She never met the guys. I don’t really know why I’ve kept my two worlds separate, and it hits me that she only knows about them from what I’ve told her. She’s been the only constant in my life since I was a kid. The only one who hasn’t given up on me, who supported me through every up and down. It’s like I don’t want to share her with anyone else in case she’s taken away from me too.

But for some reason, I didn’t get that feeling in my gut with Jacob.

The need for him to be here with me was so much greater than my fears, and that’s terrifying in and of itself.

“You bet it was.” I laugh. “He thought it would be good for both of us, but more so for Jacob, because he deserves a break. Up until Christmas, he was often working sixteen-hour days, seven days a week. As soon as I found out, I wanted to?—”

“Do everything you can to help.” Mom smiles, but it’s hinted with sadness. She barely made ends meet up until I was drafted, when I gave her everything I got from signing with the Thunder. She can relate to Jacob’s struggles more than anyone.

I nod.

Mom takes another sip of her coffee, eyeing me over the top of her cup, her curious eyes never leaving me. “I’ve gotta say, I think this is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I frown.

“You don’t exactly trust easily, darling. You keep everyone at arm’s length because, that way, you’re the one in control. They’re close enough to feel like they’re part of your life, but never close enough to hurt you. So, Jacob must be quite special for you to bring him over. You haven’t even brought your own teammates to visit before.”

Needing to avoid my mom’s quizzical gaze, I get up and continue dicing the vegetables I was preparing before she got here.

I don’t really know what to say.

My teammates are the closest thing I have to family aside from my mom, and it’s not like I don’t want them here. Maybe I’m afraid of bringing them to the only place that’s truly been just mine, letting them see this side of my life, and facing their rejection.

Jacob is the first guest I’ve had, and I want to take care of him. I want him to want for nothing.

I turn toward the door at the sound of soft footsteps on the stairs. Jacob appears looking fresh-faced. His dark blond hair is damp and slicked back from his face, and my gaze travels over his body. His gray t-shirt hugs his slim torso while baby-blue pajama shorts showcase his smooth, hairless legs, and my eyes land on the ruby-red painted toenails that pop against his fair skin.

He’s so fucking beautiful, it hurts.

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