You’ll get your breakfast later, he assures me, before pressing a kiss to my temple.How are you feeling?
Pretty fucking fantastic, I say. It’s true. I slept well and woke up ten minutes before my alarm, but that’s not what has me in such a good mood. It’s what happened before I fell asleep last night that has me feeling invincible.
Ollie looks both hopeful and hesitant.Yeah? Because what we did pushed some boundaries, and I just want to make sure that you’re doing all right. Aven checked in, too, he signs, showing me his phone.
You do remember that I’m the one who asked for that whole scene? You both made my fantasy come true, and I need you to believe me when I tell you it was incredible.
I believe you. And it was incredible for me, too, Ollie signs, leaning in for another kiss.
I mean it,I insist.You listened to me. You didn’t make me feel judged. But then you went and made it happen. You took care of me before, during, and after. What more could I want?
Ollie’s slow to answer and for a second, I’m afraid I took things a little too far, but then he smiles.I like taking care of you. And I like the way you take care of me, too.
Before we can get too mushy or I can begin to overanalyze his pause and choice of words, Ollie’s phone buzzes. He reads the incoming message and drops his phone on the bed.I’ll be right back, he signs.
I wouldn’t normally read anyone else’s phone, but the name on the screen grabs my attention.
I tap Ollie’s arm.Wait a minute. What is going on?I ask, pointing at his phone screen and reading it again just to make sure my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me.
Whoredash: Your order has been delivered. Enjoy! (and gimme a fucking tip)
Ollie shakes his head.What’s going on is that Blue thinks he’s hilarious.
You are way funnier, I assure my husband. He smiles genuinely and presses another kiss to my forehead before leaving the room.
He’s back two seconds later with a white paper bag in his hand. But it’s not just any white paper bag. I spot the hot pink logo from The Sweet Spot before he even hands the bag to me.
What’s this?I sign.
Your breakfast. I know you love that place and I thought a S’mores cupcake might be the perfect way to start your day. But I can stick it in the fridge for later, if you want, he signs.
I shake my head and peel away the wrapper, not giving a thought to the crumbs in the bed. I’ll change the sheets later.
Best breakfast ever,I sign after taking a bite.Thank you.
Ollie leans in for a kiss on the lips this time and I happily oblige. Cupcakes totally cancel out morning breath, don’t they?
You are very welcome,he signs.I wish I could stick around, but I’ve got conditioning, and then class. I’ll see you tonight though.
Brace yourself for dinner with my grandparents, I sign back.
It’s going to be great, Ollie assures me.They’re going to love me.
31
Fallon
Despite their staunch belief in marriage, my grandparents were stunned when they heard about my Vegas nuptials. I knew they would be, but I figured a little distance and a little time would mellow them out.
I was wrong.
They’ve been so eager to meet Ollie that I couldn’t put them off any longer. But maybe I should have tried harder because Ollie’s shiner looks worse now than it did a few days ago, and the gash above his eye hasn't fully healed. The butterfly bandages only seem to draw more attention to the wound. Still, I know that if I hadn’t accepted their invitation to meet up tonight, they’d have rung the doorbell at the hockey house and brought dinner along.
Meeting them at Grandad’s favorite steakhouse means neutral territory, and it also means that we can leave before they break out the baby books or ask to project old home movies on our giant screen TV.
Or before Gran interrogates Ollie with more questions. I love her dearly, and I know she thinks she’s protecting me,but she’s grilling my husband and I’m done with her line of questioning.
“Gran, please stop. You know hockey can be a rough game. You were in the stands for almost all of Booker’s games.” My pleading barely registers because Grandad starts shaking his head.
