Page 188 of The Long Game
Ilya laughed and tugged Shane closer, bumping their shoulders together. “For Instagram. I want to post about us.” He stopped walking and pulled out his phone. He tapped it a few times, then held it at arm’s length in front of him.
“Oh,” Shane said. “Now?”
“Yes.” Then, after a second’s pause, Ilya cheerfully said, “Hello! I am Ilya, and this is my boyfriend, Shane. Say hello, Shane.”
“Um. Hi.”
“Shane, when are we getting married?”
“July.”
Ilya made an exaggerated surprised face. “July!”
Shane could see his own goofy, lovesick grin on Ilya’s phone screen. They hadn’t officially announced their engagement yet. “Still can’t believe it, huh?”
“We are getting married. And then we are going to keep playing hockey, break more records, and win more cups. Yes, Shane?”
“Hell yes.”
“See you in October, hockey fans,” Ilya said. Then he kissed Shane loudly on the cheek, and ended the video.
They watched it back together, and Shane had to admit they both looked pretty good, what with the perfect golden light. Also, they looked giddy with how in love they were. “I think Crowell is really going to like that video,” he said dryly.
“Fuck Crowell. I am posting it now.”
Shane still felt a twist of terror at the idea of angering the commissioner, but he quickly squashed it. They weren’t goingto hide anymore. Not from anyone, and not for anyone. “God, I hope someone signs me.”
Ilya snorted. “Of course they will.”
“What if—”
“Shane,” Ilya said seriously. “Do we have to drive back to your trophy room in Montreal?”
Shane blushed. “No.”
“Or maybe you watch a YouTube video of your best goals while I blow you?”
Heat flooded Shane’s stomach. “I mean. It wouldn’t hurt to try.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
July
“What do you think?” Shane asked.
Ilya couldn’t think. He didn’t have a thought in his head because he was full to bursting with happiness. It was a week before their wedding, and Shane was standing in front of him in an Ottawa Centaurs jersey and ball cap. He knew that Shane had gone to the team offices to sign the contract today, but seeing him now, wearing the uniform, in Ilya’s house, was overwhelming.
“You make that stupid logo look so good,” Ilya said.
“Itisstupid, right? It’s not just me?”
“No. We all think so. Come here.” Ilya wrapped him in a tight hug. “I cannot believe this. Is too much. I am too happy.”
Shane laughed against him. “Me too.” He pushed away. “God, I can’twaitto play with you! I know we’re both centers, but I’ll bet we’ll be on the power play together. This is going to be so awesome!”
“And,” Ilya added, “no more hiding.”
“No more hiding. Everyone I met in management was so great. Oh! Harris was there too. It was nice to finally meet him. I guess he’s getting promoted to Senior Director of...something. Communications?”
