Page 37 of All Orc Nothing

“Mr. Ongash?”

“It is you,” Mr. Ongash says, his face spreading into a wide smile. He sits down right behind us, putting a hand on Thane’s shoulder and squeezing. “It’s so good to see you again, son. How’re you doing?”

“I’m doing really well,” Thane says quickly. “Did you hear? Tess and I are going to Creelin U.”

“Good for you. That makes me really happy to hear. What brings you back to town?”

“I’m here for Blaire’s parents' night,” Thane admits, rubbing the back of his neck. “Umm, I’m sure you remember how these things tend to go.”

Mr. Ongash hums softly. “I understand. A real shame what your parents put the lot of you through.”

Bax looks down at his lap, almost looking ashamed. He chances a glance at me, catching my gaze on him and quickly looking away.

“Have you thought of getting the paperwork in order to take custody of Bax and Blaire. I would be happy to help you with getting it all sorted, Thane.”

“I’m.. well, I’ve never really. Umm, that’s a great question,” Thane stutters out. He looks over at Bax, then at me, then back to Mr. Ongash. “Would it be alright if I got your number and we could talk about it later? Tonight, I just want to focus on spending time with Bax and Blaire.”

“Goodness me. Look at me overstepping,” Mr. Ongash says quickly. “I’m so sorry, my boy! Here, take my number and we’ll talk.”

“Thank you,” Thane says quickly. “It was really nice to see you.”

“You, too,” Mr. Ongash says softly. He squeezes Thane’s shoulder again as he stands up. “I’m so very proud of the man you’ve become.”

I feel like an intruder to something I wasn’t supposed to see. Thane stares at his popcorn for a long moment, his brows wrinkled in thought. Without thinking, I reach over and take his hand in my own, squeezing it.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees you and all the work you do,” I say softly.

“I know I said this already, but I’m really glad you’re here, Maverick.”

“So am I.”

“Hey, Thane,” Bax says softly, drawing Thane’s attention. “Would you really consider that?”

Thane swallows. “Yeah, Bax. Of course I would. In a heartbeat.”

“Then you should.”

“We’ll talk about it after the game, okay?”

I do my best to focus on the game but it’s hard when I have so much on my mind. There’s the way Thane’s hand is still holding mine, it’s the banter that Thane and Bax share, it’s the pressure of our future conversation with Blaire, it’s the feelings weighing down on my shoulders, it’s the unknown floating over our heads that comes with a possible custody battle. There’s so much, but at the same time, this somehow feels more right than I have words to describe.

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be tonight than right here beside Thane. I want to be the one he leans on. I want to be the tether that helps keep him grounded. I want to be the one to remind him of how great he is.

Blaire plays an excellent game and her team comes out on top in the end. Once it’s all said and done, Blaire runs out of the locker room, her gym bag on her shoulder, hair wet from being freshly showered. She runs into Thane’s arms, the same way Bax did earlier tonight.

“I’m so glad you were here, Thane.”

“Me too,” he says into her hair. “I’m so proud of you. You played so well tonight.”

“Who’s this,” she says, finally turning towards me.

“This is Maverick.”

“Thane’s boyfriend,” Bax says, pretending to whisper but very clearly saying it loud enough for everyone to hear. Despite him teasing, neither Thane nor I correct him.

“Let’s go get dinner before we drop you off at home. We have a lot to talk about,” Thane says, putting an arm around each of his siblings and pulling them outside.

It doesn’t take long to find our way into a little pizzeria. We sit down in a corner booth away from everyone else, the twins on one side while Thane and I squish into the other side. After we order our pizzas and drinks, Thane puts his hands on the table, letting out a deep sigh.