Page 149 of The Long Game
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and stood face-to-face with him. “I’m glad we got to catch up. I’ve really missed you, and I want to be friends, even without fucking.”
“I would love that. Come to Ottawa sometime. Meet Shane.”
She smiled. “I will. Until then, text me. Keep in touch.”
“I promise.”
She kissed his cheek, and got into the car. Ilya smiled to himself, feeling like he’d gained back a piece of himself, as he waited for his own car.
Chapter Thirty
Shane hadn’t been expecting to see Ilya the night of Ottawa’s Pride game, but he wasn’t surprised to find him on his doorstep after midnight.
“Come here,” Shane said, arms open. Ilya collapsed into them.
Shane pulled him inside and closed the door. For a long while, he just held him in the dark, rubbing his back while Ilya breathed against him.
Shane had watched the game. It had been amazing, seeing the support from the fans for Troy Barrett. All the banners celebrating his decision to come out. Shane had watched the coming out video Troy had posted to his Instagram too. He’d even teared up a bit, watching it.
He knew Ilya was happy for Troy too. He’d seen how emotional Ilya had been during the long standing ovation Troy had gotten before the game had started. It had been a huge day for hockey.
But Shane also understood why Ilya needed to be held right now.
“Are you okay?” Shane asked quietly.
“No,” Ilya said, his voice muffled by Shane’s shoulder. “I am crashing, I think.”
“I get it.”
“It was a wonderful night. I should be happy.”
“It’s okay to feel weird about it. I do.”
“Yes?”
“Yeah. Like when Scott Hunter kissed Kip on TV. It was amazing, but also...fuck, right?”
Ilya laughed. “Yes. Exactly that.”
All Shane wanted to do was take care of Ilya, however he could. Ilya always knew exactly what to do when Shane was a mess. “What do you need?”
“Need you,” Ilya said simply. “Just...need to stop thinking.”
Shane stepped back, but squeezed Ilya’s hand. “Come upstairs. I’ve got some ideas for how to distract you.”
Ilya smiled and removed his coat, stuffing his toque into one of the pockets, and hung it up. He was still wearing the suit he’d left the arena in, including the dress shoes he was now sliding his feet out of.
“Did you drive here straight from the arena?” Shane asked as they walked upstairs together.
“Yes.”
Shane reached a hand behind him, and Ilya took it.
“You know I showered after the game, yes?” Ilya said with a gentle, teasing smile when Shane led him to the bathroom and its giant rainfall shower.
“This shower will be better.”
Shane turned on the water and let the room fill with steam as they both undressed in the bedroom. It took longer than it needed to because they kept pausing to make out a bit.
