When you didn’t show up,Rusty translated.
“We were very glad Marie was right there on the spot and could give us immediate updates. It was a relief to hear things weren’t too serious.”
Can I punch him?Rusty held his breath and clung onto his temper by a thread. “Two surgeries and months of rehab are serious.”
Cross’s fingers dug into his thigh but he said nothing.
“Well, of course.” LaCroix glanced away. “But not compared to real incapacitation.”
“Hockey’s such a violent sport,” Elise said. “I can hardly even watch. I’ll be glad when RJ retires. Now, let’s talk about something more pleasant. I’ve put our charitable foundation behind a new organization I’m really impressed by. They offer crisis nursery services to parents without a support system.” She continued on, telling them about the organization while encouraging them to eat.
Rusty thought his tension might’ve killed his appetite but who was he kidding? He was a young hockey player, and the food was some of the best he’d ever had. He mowed his way through three full plates while they let Elise carry most of the conversation.
When they were done, Cross slid his chair away from the table. “It’s been good to see you, Mom, Dad, but we have to get going.”
LaCroix stood and Rusty quickly did the same. Cross’s father gave him a cool look, but hey, he wasn’t letting the guy loom over Cross for the time it took his boyfriend to deploy his cane and push to his feet.
LaCroix said, “We didn’t get the chance to talk about your future with the company, son.”
“I don’t want one,” Cross stated. “Not now, and probably not after I retire either. I need to go work on my speech.”
“But RJ—”
“Not now, Dad.” Cross held out his hand. “Thanks for showing up for me yesterday, and meeting with Rusty.”
His father shook hands, holding on a moment longer than normal. “RJ, you do know I’d show up for you any time you need me to? I may not agree with all your life decisions, but I want you to be safe and well and living a good life. You understand that, yes?”
Cross sighed. “Yes, Dad, I believe you.”
His mother jumped to her feet and hurried around the table to hug first Cross, and then Rusty. “I’m so happy you’re okay and we all got to spend time together like this. We’ll have to do it again. You’ll come visit us in Connecticut, won’t you?”
“I can’t promise,” Cross said. “But we’ll try. Come on, Rusty.”
As soon as they were in the hallway with the door closed behind them, Cross sagged against Rusty’s shoulder. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“Any time. Your mom seems nice.”
“She is. Distractable and up in her own head a lot, but she loves me and does her best.”
“What’s your dad’s deal?”
Cross shrugged against Rusty’s chest. “He likes control. Predictability. He doesn’t like hockey, although how much of that’s because my grandfather loved it, I’m not sure. Either way,he thinks I’ve been wasting my supposed potential playing a game. And of course the money I made doing it is pocket change for him.”
“Hockey isn’t just money.”
“No. But for some people, ten million bucks would be a good excuse. Not for my father.”
“You don’t need an excuse.” Rusty realized he could kiss Cross, right here, even if there were cameras, so he did. A fast peck, because he wasn’t into making free porn, but on the mouth. “Hockey’s the best, anyone who can play is lucky.”
“Right?” Cross pushed away from him and grinned, although only a fraction of his normal brightness. “Let’s go work on this speech.”
Sam had arranged for them to use a small business room on the ground floor, and they were shown to it by an impassive hotel staffer who promised to “conduct Ms. Vail to you when she arrives.” Shana Vail was the Rafters’ media director who’d handled Scott’s coming out a year ago. Rusty had only seen that event from a fan’s perspective, his heart in his throat as he saw one of his heroes lead the way for him. He never imagined a year later, this would be him in the same spot.
When the door of the small room closed and they were alone, Cross reached for him, folding him into a hug. Rusty thought he ought to be comforting Cross, but he found himself burrowing into Cross’s arms. “Shh,” Cross said, although Rusty wasn’t aware he’d made a noise. “Let me hold you for a bit.”
“Shouldn’t we be, like, planning?” Rusty mumbled against Cross’s hair.
“Nah. I’m good with winging it. Or Shana can plan when she gets here. Right now, a hug is perfect.”
