Line Mates & Study Dates (CU Hockey 4)

West said the other morning that their Christmas last year was shit. Would Asher want to spend Christmas with me? I can’t see him wanting to be apart from his siblings, but … well, why couldn’t they come too?

It’d give my grandparents actual children to fuss over, I’d have Asher with me for the day, Dad would see him with his siblings, and it would get them away from their house where all they’d be thinking of is the two people who should be there spoiling them.

“I have a question. And heads-up, it’s kind of wild.”

Mom puts her phone down. “Consider me warned.”

“How would you feel if I invited some people to Christmas this year?”

“Like a boyfriend?”

I don’t answer.

“Maybe we need to redefine your definition of wild,” she says. “Or did you forget that you already came out to us years ago?”

“First, cool it on the boyfriend thing. He’s a friend, and he lost his parents, and I thought it might be nice to get him away from his house for the day.”

“That’s horrible. Of course he can come. We have plenty of room.”

“Enough room for a few more?”

“How many more?”

“He has some brothers and sisters … who are obviously just as lonely with no parents.”

“How many brothers and sisters?” she asks cautiously.

“Uhh, there’s seven of them altogether.”

“Seven?”

“It’s Christmas.” I’m trying not to laugh at her shock. “The more, the merrier.”

“You had to lead with the orphan thing, didn’t you? There is no possible way for me to say no to that.”

“Good thing too, because I need you to say yes.”

She shakes her head at me. “Fine. Yes. Of course they can. Shit, now I need to buy more presents … I want names and ages, Kole.”

“You don’t have to buy—”

“Of course I do. I’m not having someone leave here empty-handed on Christmas. What is wrong with you?”

Ah, my mom. Yes, she’s being dramatic, but yes, she’s actually serious.

Still, that opens up a whole new question. Am I supposed to get Asher something?

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. What if I get him something and he has nothing for me? Or I don’t and he does.

Argh. No. Too much stress.

I whip out my phone and send off a text.

Have we been together long enough to buy each other Christmas presents or can we just bypass it this year? Also, you and your siblings are having Christmas dinner with me and my parents. You’re welcome.

Now, I hold my breath.

27

Asher

“Em, put your shoes on,” West yells. “We’re already late! Rhys, you can’t wear a shirt that says, ‘Fuck Christmas.’ Where did you even get that? Go change. This is my boss’s house. Everyone on their best behavior.”

I’m starting to regret taking Kole up on his offer to spend Christmas at his place. Not that it was an offer so much as an order.

Emmett sighs from beside me while I put the finishing touches on a salad I’m taking to Kole’s parents’ place. Salad: the one thing I can’t burn. “One day he’ll get it right, won’t he?”

I glance down at where Emmett is fully dressed and ready to go, so that means West is yelling at the wrong twin again. “Maybe soon he’ll learn to not use either of your names when he yells.”

Emmett laughs. “At least when we’re teenagers he won’t know which one of us is in trouble, so he won’t know who to yell at, and then he won’t punish either of us.”

I turn and pat his head. “You keep thinking that, buddy.”

It’s smart in theory, but knowing West, he’ll probably punish both of them for the one crime. Is it bad I’m happy I won’t be here for that?

By the time the boys hit thirteen, I’ll have graduated CU, both Zoe and Rhys will be out of the house, and West should be able to handle the other three on his own.

By that point, I’ll be playing in the NHL. Hopefully Buffalo will still want me, but if not, my exclusivity contract with them will have lifted, so I can try as a free agent to any team who wants me.

I just have to pray a team will want me.

Then I think of Kole. He’ll be in med school then, and I could be anywhere. I quickly shake that thought free. What are the chances Kole will put up with my shit long enough we have to talk about what will happen when he’s in med school?

Pretty fucking small.

I need to milk this relationship for every second I can get with him.

The immediate future is the only thing I should be worried about. Which includes spending Christmas Day with my boyfriend’s parents.

What was Kole thinking? And why was the idea of spending Christmas with Kole more alluring than risking it all by actually doing it? We want Coach to like me, not to see how much of a screwup I am off the ice.