Page 13 of Collisions and Decisions

“What?” I demand. He’s lost his mind. I don’t know the first thing about putting together a wedding.

“Hear me out.” He holds his hands out for me to not interrupt him. It’s not like I have anything to say, the bitch’s got me speechless. “You loved helping me out a while back, remember? When I was putting together the team event for the Pirates. I wanted to ask back then, but I’ve always known you love working at Provoke. Well,loved, I guess. So I’m asking now. It’s not like I don’t need the help, I absolutely could use a partner to handle some of the simpler stuff, like the guest list and coordinating with vendors once the contracts are signed. You could do that in your sleep, Xan.”

“Could I?” I ask, almost to myself.

And the wheels start turning.

This shit has hit me like a brick wall because I’ve been avoiding thinking about it. There’s no way to avoid it now that Wyatt’s in my life.

And I did have a great time helping Drew out a few months back. Even while feeling miserable from a cough I still enjoyed it.

I mean, it’s not my passion... but maybe it could turn into my passion.

Because working at Provoke isn’t my passion either.

Well, I guess I’m a wedding planner now.

“Oh, yes, you brought Xander!”Gab cheers when she sees me enter her suite at the arena. I met the woman only over a week ago, and I can tell she likes me. Probably not as much as I like her, but I’ll take it.

“I didn’t, really,” Drew tells her as he hugs her in greeting.

“Traitor,” I mutter only to myself. There’s no way either of them heard me. “Hey, Gab,” I tell her as I get my own hug.

“He’s here ’cause Milkman invited him. He got us two tickets right above the bench.” My friend’s pretty face looks even better with his teasing smirk—normally. Today, I want to punch it.

“Did he?” Now Gab’s really interested.

Drew told me how the owner of the hockey team values gossip more than most things, and when she smiles predatorily at me, I know exactly what Drew meant when he said she’s like a shark.

I feel like I’m about to get eaten.

“Well, you can certainly use the seats, and I’m glad you came over to say hi.” She pats Drew’s arm in a caring gesture that I can see how it emotionally punches my friend in the face.

It’s hard to see how much he values this woman already. Not because I don’t want him to have it, not at all. But because I knowwhyhe values it so much. I know why he’s been craving a maternal figure for so long, and seeing him in the brink of tears because he doesn’t want to believe he’s found it is hard for me.

I want him to embrace whatever care Gab is willing to give him, not shy away in fear of losing it.

“But,” Gab goes on. “You can also watch the game from here. Sterling, Jamie, and Ava are coming over in a little bit as well, as are a couple of wives. It seems this has turned into a meet-your-significant-other’s-boss kind of day.”

I look at Drew with hope in my eyes, and he snorts.

“Yeah, I bet Xan isn’t ready for Milkman to kiss him in front of the world quite yet, so we can stay up here. Let me just text Bear so he knows we’re here.” He sends me a pointed look after he finishes speaking, but it’s not necessary. I’m already getting my phone out of my pants.

Damn, Wyatt has me whipped already.

I’m just being polite,I tell myself even though I know it’s complete bullshit.

The thought of Milkman coming out to the ice, turning to see the seats and seeing them empty is fucking uncomfortable for me.

“Hey.” I get Drew’s attention as an idea pops into my head. I write out the text to Wyatt as I tell Drew all about it. “How about we find a couple kids and give them our seats?”

Xander

Just FYI, Gab invited us to her suite, so we’re gonna watch the game from up here.

“That’s a great idea!” Drew exclaims but something in his tone tells me his nose is still buried in his phone’s screen. “Let’s go.”

Wyatt

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