Page 63 of Date With Skates

He waves me off, and the conversation is over. Too bad, because I thought it was a good idea. We could totally pull it off. There would be repercussions, of course, like them ending their careers, but…

Okay, it’s a terrible idea. Fine!

We stay for a while longer. Connor picks up the check. We walk back to our rooms and pack our things, not wanting to say goodbye, but we have to. They have to get ready to leave, and Nico has practices he needs to get to.

I almost tell Connor to take me home with him. I don’t have a life. I have no reason to stay here. I can follow him around while he plays, and I would be completely okay with that. I wouldn’t mind staying in the hotel rooms or not having roots.

I just want to be with him…

But none of that leaves my mouth when it’s time for goodbyes. All I manage to get out is a promise to call and text this time, and then… I finally say it.

“I love you,” I whisper as I squeeze him tight.

He pulls back, looking down at me. “I knew you were trouble.” I can’t help but grin. He leans closer and lowers his voice. “I love you too, and I’ll be waiting for those texts.”

“They’ll be dirty, so don’t let anyone see.”

“I’ll never share you.”

He kisses me one more time, and then he’s gone.

And once again, it’s only me and Nico.

It’s not so bad though. Because this time, I know I’ll see Connor again.

Epilogue

Connor

Six months later…

“Are you going to help me with this?” I ask as I click on another house listing to look at the photos.

“I told you I don’t care where we live,” Étienne says as he flicks through the channels on the TV. “How does anyone think this is entertaining?” he complains.

He shuts off the TV and drops the remote on the bed, then turns on his side.

“Oh, now I get your attention?” I say.

“You always have my attention, Hockey Boy.”

“Help me find a place to live.”

“Just pick whatever you want. All I care about is that we have a bed to fuck in.”

“Of course you do,” I mutter, backing out of the current listing and going to the next.

“Oh, I like that one!” he says, sliding closer. “Look at that.”

He taps my phone so the picture of the backyard fills my screen.

It’s a photo taken from a distance, and you can see a large colorful garden, and an in-ground pool and hot tub.

“We can put a pool and hot tub in any house.”

“Yeah, but why go through the trouble when this house comes with one?”

“Because you don’t even know what the house looks like.”