Chapter One
“Hey, it’ll be all right.” My younger brother, Kyson, claps my shoulder. “There’s more fish in the sea.”
I finish stirring the pasta before looking over at him. “You’re going to use some cliché line on me when my boyfriend just dumped me.”
“I really have nothing else.” He shrugs. “You’re the one who consoles me when I’ve been kicked to the curb, not the other way around.”
I nod because it’s the truth. Kyson had been in a long relationship with a real bitch named Angela, but now he is in one with his soul mate, Meadow. I even love Meadow, and I think she and Kyson are perfect together.
I came out to my brother less than a year ago, purely by accident. Kyson and Meadow caught Stan, my now ex-boyfriend, and I kissing in a parking lot. It’s then I told Kyson the truth. Thankfully, he didn’t push me away. A part of me knew he wouldn’t, but I hadn’t been sure how he’d react.
Now, I’m forty-one and back to being single. It’s something I don’t want. I enjoyed being in a relationship. It was a first for me; however, Stan and I grew apart quickly. I really thought I cared for him.
I dump the pasta in a colander and finish preparing our meal. “When is Meadow back?”
“Sunday night.” Kyson grabs a couple plates. “Apparently, this is a huge book convention, and she couldn’t miss it.”
“How’s her latest book doing?”
“Another week on the New York Times Bestseller list.” He beams with pride for his author girlfriend.
“Wonderful.” I smile, sitting the big bowl of pasta on the table. “When do you two plan on moving in together?”
Kyson shrugs. “She’s not there yet. I think she enjoys her space. I suggested getting a bigger house, but she hasn’t brought the topic up again.”
“Give her time; you know she’ll come around.”
“She loves me, and I love her; that’s what matters the most.” He grins, piling his plate with food.
Our conversation moves into hockey, as it always does. Kyson Wick is one of the top players for the New Hampshire Bears in the Professional Hockey League. He’s loved hockey since the day he picked up a stick. I made sure his dreams came true, too. Our mother died when Kyson was only eighteen. Since I’m fifteen years older than he is, I changed my whole life to make sure he’d succeed.
And he has.
When we finish dinner and clean up, Kyson heads off to his room and then I’m off to mine. I still have a lot of emails to go through and a few contracts to read for Kyson. I really want to go to bed, but it’s for my brother, and I am not going to let him down now.
“Okay, I’ll be in touch.” I hang up the call and double check my notes. Another company wants Kyson as their spokesperson. I’m not sure if he’ll do it or not, but I will tell him about it after his workout.
I notice how late in the day it is, and I’m hungrier than I thought, but there’s no food in the fridge. Kyson eats all the time; he burns a lot of calories with working out and hockey. I make a quick list, grab my keys and wallet, and head out to the store.
I walk up and down the aisles and make sure I’m not missing anything when I bump into something.
“Sorry.” I look up and see blond hair and blue eyes. “Tim, hi.”
“Kian, how are you?”
“All right, just getting ready to feed Kyson,” I joke pointing at the full cart.
Tim chuckles. “You do take care of him, don’t you?”
“Yes, but he’s not around much, anymore.” I shrug. My life has been about him for so long; it’s a bit sad to think of him being twenty-five, in a serious relationship, and gone soon. “How are you? Your retirement party is coming up, huh?”
Tim Gibb’s face drops a bit. “Fifteen years in the PHL and eight with New Hampshire Bears, it looks like my time is up.”
“You’ve had an amazing career.” I try to show the brighter side of his retirement.
“True.” He grins. “I’ll see you around then.” He slaps my shoulder as he passes me.
I glance over my shoulder and can’t help checking him out. I’ve always thought he was very good looking. I even ponder if he is gay, but I’m not sure. He’s never been married or had a girl on his arm, but then again that means nothing this day in age.
I continue my shopping and take everything back to our place and put it all away. I clean up the place and then finally sit down. I begin to realize something as I look around the room; I’m lonely and my life doesn’t revolve around Kyson anymore.
I need to find myself. I’m a single gay man who doesn’t want to be single. It is time to live my life for me.
I need to talk to Kyson.
“I’m still going to handle your affairs, but I can’t do this 24/7 anymore.”
Kyson stares at me as if I’ve grown a second head. “Kian, I’ve told you for years to go on with your life. I want you to.”
I take a deep breath. “I know, but I worry about you.”
Kyson shakes his head. “I appreciate every single sacrifice you have made for me. I don’t want you to put your life on hold anymore.”
I smile. “Thanks Kyson. I mean it too.”
“Hey, it’s almost time for Tim’s party.” He checks his watch.
I grab my wallet and keys, and we head out. As I drive toward Tim’s house, Kyson starts going on about the upcoming season. He’s ready for it to begin. Training camp is finished and the New Hampshire Bears are already creating buzz. Sadly, they didn’t make it all the way through the playoffs this past season, but they just might this coming one.
Anyone and everyone who is part of the Bears’ family is there in Tim’s mansion. We greet them all and find Tim standing near Coach Long. Kyson and I make our way to him, Kyson and Tim do a quick handshake as do I. Tim is smiling brightly, but there is sadness in his eyes. I’m sure he’s saddened about leaving a team he loves so much. He’s been in Manchester for a number of years.
“You guys, there’s a lot of alcohol over there and a ton of food over there.” He points it all out to us. “Please, enjoy everything.” Tim holds his gaze longer with mine, and I maintain it.
“We will. Thanks, man.” Kyson slaps Tim’s back as he stares at me.
He finally turns to my brother. “You’re welcome.”
As Tim goes and greets some more guests, Kyson and I head to the bar first and grab a couple beers. It’s then I see Kyson’s best friends and teammates, Remington and Keaton. Remington is holding tight to his new wife’s hand; Maxima is rubbing her swollen belly, which nestles their baby. Harlow, Keaton’s girlfriend is standing tall with a big smile.
“Hi Kyson, Kian,” Maxima greets us.
After a round of the normal greetings, Remington smiles and asks where Meadow is. “She’s still at the convention. I talked to her a little bit ago, and she’s having fun. I guess she’s met a bunch of other authors, and they are hanging out in the hotel bar having drinks,” Kyson explains.
“Sounds like she’s having a blast.” Harlow smiles.
They all begin talking about hockey, their lives, and other topics I’m not paying attention to because my gaze keeps drifting to Tim. And he keeps meeting my eyes.
The party continues on, and I seem to stick by Kyson’s side. I’m not sure why, since I’m not uncomfortable in normal situations. In fact, I tend to be a bit of a social butterfly, but this time...I am not.
Thankfully, Kyson says he’s ready to go, and we begin to head out, but are stopped before we reach the car when Tim calls out my name. “Kian, may I ask you a question?”
“Sure. Of course. Whatever you need.” Good job on sounding desperate, Kian.
“Well, I know you read contracts for Kyson and sometimes for Keaton and Remington. I just got offered a job, and I wonder if you could look over it for me? I can pay you.”
I can’t lie; my heart sinks a bit. A contract? I’m lame. I’m lamer than lame. “It’s not a problem at all. Just send it over, and I can get it done in no time.”
I guess my uncanny attention to detail is what he wanted. Then again, I’m not sure if he’s even gay. I wouldn’t be the first gay guy to crush on a straight guy. I mean, hello Ryan Reynolds!
“Great. Thanks and thank you for coming tonight.” He smiles and then turns away.
The story of my life.