Page 25 of The Puck Daddy

“Come on,” I say, leading him toward the front entrance. “Did you drive here?”

“No, I walked.”

I arch a brow. Even though it’s technically still considered on campus, it’s a bit of a trek. Adrian might be a muscular guy, but the need to take care of him flares up again. “My car is just down the block. Let’s walk over there, and then I can drive you back to Delfy House.”

He nods gratefully.

The cool air of the night hits my cheeks as soon as we make it outside. Decorative lights glitter around us, the campusilluminated against the starry sky. It’s a lovely night as a few people walk by the local shops. Even on a weekday, this street is busy until midnight.

“The stars are out now,” Adrian whispers.

“Hmm?” I glance up at the sky. The sight is beautiful. Suddenly, it’s like I’m reliving a cliché movie scene where the main character realizes it’s been forever since he enjoyed the little things in life. But seriously, when was the last time I stopped to appreciate the stars?

“When I walked here earlier, all I could see was the moon. I like that we get the see the stars together.” As if planned, we both slow our steps to a casual stroll. It’s almost as if we want to spend as much time together before stepping back into reality.

“You seem very protective of your brother.”

“I am,” he replies, brushing his fingers against the back of my hand. “Our mom passed right after I turned eighteen. Felix was fifteen at the time. He turned sixteen about a month later, but even then, he always looked younger than his age. Felix had a few issues with some bullies when he was in high school. I get the impression it was because he was so smart and skipped a few grades, but he never confirmed it for me. Despite Felix being so book smart, he never had a social life back then. He was really shy and never connected with the kids around him, especially since they were a few years older than him. When mom passed, I was kind of forced into a parental role, not that I would have itany other way. Plus, Felix was a great kid. I think he purposely made things easier on me.”

“Wow, that sounds really tough. If you don’t mind me asking, where was your dad?”

“He passed when I was thirteen.”

I sigh deeply. God, poor Adrian. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I can’t even imagine. It seems like you’ve dealt with so much at such a young age.” Placing my hands into my leather jacket, I feel around until I find my lucky coin. It’s something I’ve had for about nine years now, and whenever I feel unsteady or nervous, something about the metal grounds me. “But it seems like you take really good care of Felix, and from what I just witnessed between you two, he appreciates it.”

Adrian shakes his head. “I’m not very good at the whole caregiver thing. I want to be, but I don’t know.” He rakes a hand through his thick, dark hair. “This is going to sound really bad, but…” he trails off.

I swallow hard. I didn’t expect this. I didn’t prepare for vulnerable confessions under the stars. “It’s okay, you can tell me.”

He looks over at me, his eyes pleading with mine. “I’m so tired, Theo. And sometimes I just wish… I wish it was my turn. Sometimes I wish someone out there would care enough to want to take care of me.”

I inhale sharply, fisting my hand and rubbing my chest. I rub at that spot just above my heart. Damn, if that didn’t get me right in the feels.

Going against my better judgment, I pull Adrian to my side, wanting to cuddle him close to me. He snuggles into my embrace.

Fuck. He feels perfect. We continue our walk, my arm still around him. I don’t tell him how huge this moment is for me. This is the first time I’ve publicly shown any affection to another man. Instead, I continue to chat with Adrian, telling him more about myself as I lock up this moment deep in my heart. I tell him stories about my mom and her crazy antics. And my dad with his obsession with golfing. When we arrive at my car, Adrian tugs me forward, and we make two more loops around the block as I tell him more stories of my life in the NHL, and he tells me about his goals for the future.

I kiss his temple and let go when we arrive at my car for the third time tonight. “Let’s get you home.” Fuck. There's no fucking way I just went into Daddy mode with Adrian DeLuca. But that’s exactly what I just did, and I don’t regret a thing.

Like a gentleman, I open the passenger door for him, showing him silently that I want to be the person he talked about. The person‘who cares enough to take care of him.’I lean across his chest and gently buckle him in.

A few people walk by, but don’t seem to pay us any mind. If anyone were to get a good look at us, we’d probably lookridiculous; a grown man buckling in another man who is even more built than he is. But fuck it. Fuck them. Anyone who has a problem with it can look away.

A party is in full swing as I pull up to Delfy House. My hackles rise the closer we get to the pounding base and loud cheers.

I glance over at Adrian, but he doesn't seem fazed. “How often do your roommates party?”

He shrugs, suddenly looking tired. “When do they not party?”

Not my business. Not my business. Not my business.But a small voice in my head says that it can be. That I already made it my business the moment I wrapped my arm around Adrian and he cuddled to my side.

Parking my car, I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn to face him.

“Will you really think about the whole fake dating thing?” he asks, staring out the window.

I turn his head back toward me. “I promise. Just give me a few days. In the meantime, can we exchange numbers?”

His whole face lights up, and he nods eagerly. Once he passes his phone to me, I text myself so he has my number. Then I get out of the car and rush around to the front. He looks amused when I open the door for him. As soon as he’s out of the car, I don’t let him get away. I take one small step right into his space.

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