Page 94 of Against the Odds
“What, now?” I glanced over at him and didn’t put my pickup in gear. “Not that I’m complaining, but why’d you suddenly change your mind?”
“I was hiding from management in case it was a down-check for calling me up,” he said. “But that’s over. Coach will have told them. No one else matters. And if there’s going to be any publicity, having it happen right now, while I’m headed for the playoffs with an awesome record, is a good time. The Dragons don’t have to worry it’ll come out later, when I’m playing for them.” He knocked his knuckles on his head. “Knock wood.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” I couldn’t deny a little disappointment that he hadn’t said,“Because I have you now,”but he was being logical.
Two blocks later, on our way to the base of the mountain, Callum added, “And yeah, I almost forgot.” He grinned and set his hand on my thigh. “Also because I have someone I want to be able to introduce to people and kiss when I feel like it. I refuse to drag you back into the closet with me.”
“I’d have done it.”
“I don’t want you to. That’s the biggest reason. I don’t want to hide you. I’m so fucking proud to be with you. I want to shout about my sexy cop from the rooftops.”
“Are you drunk, in this scenario?” I teased.
“High on life.” He pulled out his phone. “Speaking of which, my agent is next.” He touched a contact. “Hey, Xavier… Yeah, it’s Callum Fitzpatrick. I need to tell you something important that might affect my contracts… No, I’m not in jail and I didn’t punch anybody. Seriously, what the fuck?” He flicked a frown my way. “Yeah, okay, so I’m a hothead. But I never hit anyone off the ice… Right, right, so can I tell you now?Thankyou. I’m gay and I’m coming out. Scratch that, I already came out…”
Callum listened for a while. His agent’s voice came across as an indistinct mumble. Whatever he was saying made Callum nod, then shrug. “Yeah, dude, would’ve been good to do it that way, but I didn’t… No, I don’t want to make a statement. I’m gonna let what happens, happen… Whatever.” He tapped out of the call.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“He’s pissed at me for not talking to him first. But it’s not like I planned all this.”
Seeing his excitement become subdued made me sad. I nudged his arm. “He’s probably jealous because you have an awesome boyfriend to flaunt around town and he doesn’t.”
Callum’s smile came back. “True. Right.”
“A boyfriend who’s going to beat you up Grouse,” I added recklessly.
“You wish. Bring it.”
“Tell me about going up there with your grandfather,” I said to get his mind onto good things.
“Oh, my God, he was slow.” Callum laughed. “But he was doing it for my sake. I was a high energy kid…”
As we drove, he told me about living with his grandfather. I asked easy questions to keep the flow of words coming. The love that old man had for his grandson, and Callum for him, was clear in every story, and by the time we were pulling into the parking area, I was plotting to get Jos more time with Roy and Callum. I wanted my brother to see what family could be.
We got out of the truck and looked around. In summer, the Grind trail was a busy place, but with snow still in the upper reaches, the Grind wouldn’t open for another month. The BCMC trail was less popular, the sky threatened rain, and it was a Monday morning. Only a few other cars stood parked in the lot.
Callum came to me and draped his arms over my shoulders. “Hey, boyfriend. Ready to do some work?”
A pair of women fifty feet away glanced at us, then kept on with whatever they were getting out of their car.
I looked up at him. The copper of his hair was bright even in this subdued light, and his little smile made me want to grin back. I brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead and he leaned in and kissed me.
For just a second, I wanted to ask if he was sure. But Callum was the kind of guy who jumped in with both feet and I’d be damned if I’d hold him back. Wrapping my arms around him, I gave everything I had to that kiss. His tongue drove deep, and he pulled me close against him until the muscled heat of his body threatened to make me forget hiking and drag him into the pickup. When we finally separated, one of the women called, “Whoo, go for it.”
Callum laughed and flushed, but waved to her, then turned toward the trailhead. “Come on.” He grabbed the pack off my shoulder. “I’ll carry this. I need some kind of handicap.”
“Might have to put a few extra boulders in it.” I eyed the first flights of rough stairs and roots leading upward. “I’m not sure I’ve been working out enough for this.”
“You do plenty of running. You’ll be fine.” Callum held out his hand. “Maybe we won’t race? Just walk together?”
I laced my fingers through his. Soon enough, the route would get steeper and we’d have to let go, but right now, walking through that open parking lot with Callum’s hand in mine felt like every fantasy I’d had since I came out as a teenager. When he broke into a jog, and then a run, I laughed and sprinted at his side.I could get used to doing this for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER 23
CALLUM
“Hey, dude, you’re on fire lately,” Sully said, skating behind my net at practice a week later, after failing to score on me.
