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“I look forward to it.”

“Me too,” he said and hustled out the door.

He’d been gone mere seconds before he came charging back in. He kissed me hard and deep. I returned it with equal intensity. Every fiber of my being sparked for this man.

His breath came in short bursts when he pulled back. “Now I really do have to go. But I needed that to hold me over until I see you at home.”

I nodded, left speechless. That kiss had overflowed with power, conviction—love.

I think we’d just marked our territory with each other.

My heart flew free. I hated having to let him go, but we’d have plenty of time at home. While we wouldn’t live together, it said a lot that he’d just called Phoenix home.

THIRTY-FIVE

KYLE

FROM THE MOMENT a road trip began, I longed for it to end. It’d never been more true than for this one though.

And, yeah, Phoenix was home now. It hadn’t clicked I’d said that to Austin until I was on the plane.

Austin and I talked every moment we could over the days I spent in New York and Nashville. He’d spent about half of those five days in Detroit before going to Phoenix. The place he’d bought was a couple of miles from the furnished rental I had.

My plan had been to deal with a proper house hunt in the off-season. But he’d offered to help me with that sooner. I’d certainly feel more settled if I had my place rather than something temporary.

As we landed at the airport, I looked out over the dark landscape. I still had a lot to get used to living here. Not just the warmer weather and no snow, but the overall energy was different than Detroit.

We were due to take the bus from the airport to the arena, where we’d all parked, and distribute luggage from there. Instead of dozing on the plane, I fidgeted, excited to see Austin tonight. We’d planned that I’d go to his place for a proper homecoming.

Once the fasten seatbelt sign was off, the team seemed like zombies meandering to get carry-ons and wander off the plane. I wanted to move faster.

As I made my way down the stairs, I had to do a double take. Austin waited planeside. He grinned widely.

What? How could he be here? It was so late even the fans who sometimes met the plane weren’t here. He didn’t even stand behind the fan barricades; he’d managed to be right here.

I sheepishly waved, which only broadened his smile.

The team didn’t give him a second look. Word had traveled fast about us, even before I’d made it back to the locker room in Detroit. The team offered congratulations on our reconciliation before we’d left the arena. News got back to Phoenix fast too. By practice time in Nashville, Owen told me that the wives, girlfriends, and boyfriends stood ready to welcome the new guy into the fold. I hoped Austin was ready to have a lot of new friends. We’d run so hot and cold in Detroit, he hadn’t gotten integrated into that group.

As I stepped onto the ground, I pivoted to my right instead of heading left with everybody else

He wrapped me in a hug. “Welcome home.”

Home. A small part of me twinged at that—a bit of remorse from the kid who thought his allegiance should be elsewhere. I suspected that voice would always be there, but eventually it’d be softer.

Austin certainly felt like home. In his arms at the airport felt perfect.

We got some quiet awwws as he gave me a light kiss—nothing near as intense as that last one in Detroit had been. That kiss was burned in my memory, and I’d recalled it often the past few days.

“I got permission to pick you up.”

Wow.

I can’t imagine the number of calls he’d had to make for that. Not to mention being allowed this close to the plane. My bag ended up next to us, and Lenny clapped me on the back and wished me good night. Austin had really set up a lot for this. No doubt there’d be some ribbing from the guys over the special attention—but I didn’t care about that one bit.

“You need anything else?”

I shook my head. I had my bag and my backpack. My car could stay at the arena until tomorrow. “Let’s go.”