I can’t disagree there. “Maybe I sort of wanted you to figure it out.”
“I love that you think that was ever a possibility.”
I laugh and scoot a little closer. There’s the tiniest scar I haven’t noticed before just under his lip that disappears into his beard.
“What’s this from?” My fingertips come alive as I brush them over the spot.
“Logan. We used to go fishing all the time as kids, and one day the little shit wasn’t concentrating when he cast off. Hooked me instead.”
“Ouch.” I cringe, but Richie’s wearing a dopey, nostalgic smile.
“It’s fine. I pushed him off the boat in retaliation. And I actually think I did more damage ripping the thing out than it did going in.”
“Did your parents freak?”
He shakes his head. “We’ve come home way worse than that. Mom just grabbed some ice, while Dad made Logan stand on the lawn and dry off.”
“And Logan’s your best friend?”
“Yep.”
“The one who’s getting married.”
Richie shifts to face me, something like humor in his eyes. “Yes.”
“The only other guy you’ve kissed?”
“Uh-huh. And no, it doesn’t bother me he’s engaged because I know that was your next question.”
“Not at all?”
“Clearly I was attracted to him at some point, and he’s a great guy, but there’s never been anything deeper there. That would be …” He cringes. “Definitely weird. Plus, his fiancé seems pretty cool too.”
“Am I allowed to be relieved?”
“It would be an ego boost if you were.”
“I’ll let you have this one, then.”
Richie’s thumb stills on my shoulder, and he leans forward to put his glass down. “Tell me about Grant.”
“Foster,” I correct. “We’re both Grant.”
“That’ll take some getting used to.”
Hopefully we have the time. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, first, is he going to kick my ass when he finds out about us? Second, I know you have some issues, but how close are you guys? Is this going to cause family drama?”
The fact he said when is almost enough to make my stomach swoop, but then the familiar mood drop happens at his second question. “First, your ass will not be getting kicked—he’s dating my best friend, remember? He broke bro-code first. I’m more than happy to throw that back in his face. And second … we were close. Kinda still are, but my issues get in the way a lot. Up until maybe sophomore year of high school we were best friends. But then it started to become very clear that hockey and sports were cool, science was not.” The bitterness has crept back into my voice, and I hate it.
“Science is cool. Science is hot.” Richie leans in. “You’re gonna Bunsen burn me right up.”
“Oh no.”
“You can polish my beaker any day.”
I try to keep my face blank even though I’m amused as hell. “Back on the science jokes, hey?”
“Think you could get your hands on one of those sexy lab coats?”
“Yep.” I decide to play his game. “And I’ll wear it with nothing on underneath.”
Richie starts to laugh, and I finally let out the one I’ve been holding on to. He leans in to bump his forehead against mine, before pulling back and starting the circles on my shoulder again. “If we keep doing this, we need to tell him.”
“Sure. But let’s save it for a special occasion.” I pretend to think. “Our birthday … or right before he plays in a Stanley Cup final … or the day he proposes to Zach. Ooh, his wedding day! That would be the best.”
Richie pinches me. “So you’re an evil scientist, then.”
“When the mood strikes.” I sober up a little. “Can you promise me something?”
“Depends what it is.”
And even though what I’m about to ask him is important, it’s hard to get out. Richie is a guy I’ve been dreaming about for months, and now that Richie’s here in front of me, I’m worried it’s too good to be true. I swallow hard. “I know it never started out this way, and I know you guys are friends, but I also know the NHL was your goal and I … Promise me you won’t continue this or hang around because you want to get in good with Foster and his team. And yeah, I’m an asshole for even asking, but you have no idea how many times—”
“Seth, before I knew you were you, there was no way I would have gone there even though I thought you were hot.” He quickly licks his lips. “And not just because there was only one guy I wanted, but because you were Gr—Foster’s brother. We’re good friends, and I wouldn’t do that to him.”
“Then … what happened?”
He looks at me like he can’t believe I asked. “You’re my Einstein. That trumps friendship. Any day.”
Oh hell.
If I wasn’t already falling for him through his messages or from the way he turned me inside out in Montreal, that would have done it. I’m on him before he’s even registered I’ve moved, and when my mouth collides with his, he lets out a shocked little noise that I quickly swallow with my kiss.