James and I hefted the large cardboard box onto the elevator in my apartment building. It wasn’t that heavy, but it was big enough to be awkward. I reached up and wiped sweat from my brow as I asked, “And what’s in here?”

“Old hockey uniforms.”

I stared at James as the elevator rose. “And why are you bringing them to Chicago?”

“My mom didn’t want to keep them at their house. She was happy to see them go, and I can’t just throw them out. They’re history.”

I could imagine what history James’ old hockey uniforms contained. I was a little surprised they weren’t crawling up to my apartment under their own power. I asked, “What about your everyday clothes?”

“That was those two big suitcases we started with.”

I thought about the size of those suitcases compared with the amount of space taken up by the oversized box of old hockey uniforms. I glanced at James and shook my head. “Let’s just say it’s a good thing that I love you.”

It was move-in day for James. It was the last week of June, and his most recent month was potentially the most eventful of his young life. He graduated from college at the beginning of the month with a degree in architecture. He struck a deal with an NHL team later in the month, and he had an invitation to report for pre-season training in September.

Finally, the most important event was our decision to move in together. It happened over a glass of champagne celebrating the NHL deal and my deal with a local art gallery for my first solo show.

As we hauled the box through the front door of the apartment, I asked, “Do you have any regular stuff like books or maybe old photos or DVDs?”

James asked, “Why would I have stuff like that? I can keep it all online. I’ve got a box down in the car full of hockey pucks. It’s not that big, but it is heavy.” James grinned, and my heart melted.

The college extended my teaching contract in Chicago for the second year, but beyond that neither James nor I had any idea where we were likely to live next. We were considering moving to the city where James was playing hockey, but he still waffled on how long he wanted to play professional hockey. He was continuing his speed skating training, and he was excited about architecture. He was particularly interested in designing sports facilities. James had multiple options, and he was juggling them all at the same time. Somehow he managed to deftly balance all three and keep the relationship with me as the foundation.

My choices were simpler. I knew that I wanted to continue my painting, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted a long career in teaching. I didn’t need to decide about that until later in the year.

All that we knew for certain about our future was that we wanted to be together. The rest we were determined to make up as we went along.

James turned toward the door to retrieve more items from his car. I stopped him and said, “Why don’t we stop carrying stuff for right now. I think we’ve got over half of it. You can park the car down in the underground garage, and we’ll take a break. We need to get ready for dinner at Sophie’s soon anyway.”

James spun back around and wrapped me in his arms. He said, “That sounds like a perfect idea. The pucks and sticks will be fine down in the garage until tomorrow.”

I stared into the face of the man that I loved and said, “We get to go to bed together and wake up every morning together for the rest of the summer. It’s like a dream come true.”

“I think I had that dream just a few nights ago,” said James.

* * *

Sophie’s condo was buzzing with activity when we arrived. She answered the door and gave both James and me big hugs. Jerry followed close behind and gave us both big, powerful man hugs.

He asked, “How’s the moving process going, boys? Are you going to fit everything into that little apartment?”

I said, “Between the hockey uniforms and the hockey pucks, I’m not so sure, but we’ll do our best. As long as James is there, we’ll figure out how to deal with the rest.”

James stuck his nose in the air. He said, “Something smells amazing, and I think it’s coming from the kitchen.”

Sophie smiled and said, “That’s because we have a special guest cook. She’s here all the way from Amsterdam.”

I said, “And I need to give her the biggest hug ever. Has everything gone fine today? The last I heard was a text message from the airport.”

Sophie said, “She’s a little jet-lagged, but she rejected a nap and told us she would sleep tonight. She can’t wait to see you, Lucas.”

I didn’t make it to the kitchen. Anna heard all of the voices and joined us in the living room. She was wearing one of Sophie’s favorite aprons brought over from Amsterdam.

“Lucas!” shouted Anna as we wrapped each other in a massive hug.

I hugged her so tightly that I lifted her off the floor. I asked, “How long are you staying again?”

“I’m here for three weeks, and Sophie and Jerry are so kind to let me stay here at their place.”

Jerry said, “That’s what guest bedrooms are for.”

Anna turned toward James and said, “I bet I know who this handsome man is.” She spread her arms wide and gave James a welcoming hug.

James said, “You didn’t tell me your best friend was so beautiful.”

Anna blushed. She said, “Thank you for being so flattering. I’ll make sure you get the best bowl of chili for dinner.”

“That’s what I smell,” said James. “It’s that famous Dutch chili that Lucas keeps talking about.”

While we all stood in the living room, we heard a buzz from the lobby. Sophie said, “We’re expecting one more guest, and it sounds like he’s here.” She spoke softly into the intercom and buzzed the person through.

I wasn’t sure who it was, but I was keeping my fingers crossed. A few minutes later we heard the knock. Sophie opened the door, and Jordi, the man I wanted to see, joined the happy crowd.

“Jordi!” exclaimed James. “I didn’t know you would be here.”

Jordi handed Jerry a bottle of wine and said, “I didn’t know I would be either, but Sophie and Lucas sent me such a wonderful invitation. I decided that I couldn’t miss it. The car feels like it’s on its last legs, but it got me here.”

I asked, “Are you planning to play hockey again next season, Jordi?”

He said, “It’s going to be a tough decision. I had a fascinating meeting with my buddy Eric’s speed skating coach. We went over video of one of my races, and he found some major issues with my technique. I spent a couple of hours with him on the ice, and by the end, after doing my best to make adjustments, I was breaking personal best times left and right. I laughed and remembered you, James, when he told me I was built for speed.”

“You mean you’re not going to take my forward position on the hockey team?” asked James.

“I don’t know,” said Jordi. “That’s what Coach Collins wants me to do. He says we have a chance to make it back to the national championships. I’m too old for the NHL draft, but hockey is a lot of fun. Then there’s one more factor.”

We all gathered around Jordi. I asked, “One more factor?”

“Well, do you guys all remember that figure skater we saw in Millennium Park here in Chicago last winter?”

I glanced at James, and I echoed the confusion in his eyes. I said, “Yeah, I remember him. He had a big crowd making space for him on the public rink while he was doing those jumps and spins.”

“Well, I got his phone number, and I kept in contact,” said Jordi.

James asked, “You’ve decided to become a figure skater?”

“No,” said Jordi. “Let’s say we’ve become a little more than just friends.”

My jaw dropped. “You didn’t…” began James.

Jordi bit his lip and said, “I think I did.” He blushed beet red from his hairline to his neck.

I said, “Well, I think we need to break out the champagne for Jordi! Can we have a round before dinner?”

Sophie said, “Of course! Jerry can do the honors, and we have so much to celebrate. First and foremost, the fact that we’re all here together. People that I love from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean are filling my home with happiness.”

I heard the cork pop, and Anna passed around glasses. We held them out for Jerry to pour. Sophie asked, “Lucas, do you want to lead the toast?”

I held my glass aloft and said, “To the most fantastic of futures for all of us, and may we gather together many more times as the years unfold sharing our lives with joy and good wishes.”

“Amen to that!” shouted Jerry.

* * *

Several hours later, I slipped naked between the sheets at James’ side. We were stuffed full of good food and drink and exhausted from the events of the day. James laughed and said, “This is all that I have the energy for right now.”

He rolled over against my side and kissed my lips with a slow-burning passion that made my toes curl. I stared up into his handsome face and said, “On the day that I met you; if anyone told me we would end up where we are today, I would have been the happiest person in the world. I wouldn’t have believed them either. Now that it’s happened, there is no way I could be any happier and excited about the future. You are my world, James. It all starts and ends with you.”

He said, “Aww, don’t get all mushy like that. Just give me another hot kiss and curl up so we can go to sleep.”

* * *

Thank you for reading Built for Speed. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

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