Page 69 of Dirty Zone

“I’ve wanted to say it for weeks but thought you’d bolt if I said it out loud,” I say, and he laughs but sobers, realizing I’m serious. “Sky, no one compares to you. I was a stupid young kid, afraid to be different. I am different, we’re different. You’re all I think about when I’m not on the ice. You’re not getting rid of me.” I lower my lips to his and kiss my boyfriend.

“I love you more,” he argues, but I silence him with another kiss. He has no idea how in love I am and that I would do anything for him. “Did you figure out—”

“That you gave my mom the letter you wrote when you left? Yes. I told her if she didn’t tell me everything, she’d never see me again. Which is not your fault, it’s hers.” I stare into his soulful brown eyes and see our future.

“I left the other one in the cornfield.” Sky massages my shoulders.

“It must’ve blown away. It’s the first place I went to find you. Promise me you’ll never do that again.” I’m off-balance, craving his constant presence, afraid if I turn around he’ll be gone.

“How did you leave things with your parents?” he asks softly.

“My mom cried actual tears, but my dad is hard to read. Granted, he’s been totally oblivious. He’s in shock that he could have a gay son.” I hug Sky closer when he pulls a face. “I’m bi, but he doesn’t understand the difference because I’m with you. Mom claims she only wanted the best for me and being an out hockey player would’ve complicated my life.”

“Do you trust that explanation?” Sky blinks up at me.

I sigh. “She’s not wrong, but I also think it’s bullshit. I’m giving them a chance to make it up to me.” My mom provided guilt to convince me to remain in contact. “But I’m second-guessing myself.”

“You’re doing the right thing. They’ll show you that either you have supportive parents or people who couldn’t put their feelings aside for their child.” Sky proves why he’s my favorite person. Not many people could get past the way my mom treated him. I resent her more than he does.

“This is a torture slab disguised as a piece of furniture.” He moves but can’t get comfortable.

“I don’t want them to hurt you again,” I whisper into his hair.

“They won’t.” His lips peel up, fighting a grin, and revealing his crooked tooth. “You’re really fierce when you defend me.”

I hold back from saying that I let him down. We could’ve avoided all of this if I had been braver.

“Hey, no grumpy face. We can’t change the past, but I truly believe things worked out for us to have a future together. We had to grow up and find our place in life before committing to each other. Old men, we are not. We gots lots a good years ahead of us.” He cups my neck and slides a hand under my shirt, pressing in to relieve my tension.

“I’m holding you to that.” I breathe in his sweet, warm scent. “Today marks the beginning of our new life.” I pull up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal his ink. “Every day, I’ll strive to be a man worthy of this tattoo. To be strong and brave and whisk you to safety if a war breaks out or, the more realistic option, if my parents are thoughtlessly cruel.”

“In that case”—Sky slides to the floor, kneeling between my thighs—“we should make things official.”

“With a blowjob?” I ask, down for however he wants to celebrate.

“No, silly.” He clears his throat, holding my hands. “Maverick Maher, I’m asking you to love me, be my partner, and move in with me.” He glances around. “Ditch this dreadful place.”

I hear him, but my brain scrambles, and my speech malfunctions.

“Did I break you?” he asks playfully, without real concern.

My head moves in a motion between a nod and a shake.

Sky’s face splits into a wide grin. “My Mav, struck speechless. Are you going to say yes?”

“Hold on.” My head spins, and I crack a joke, pretending to type on my phone. “How do I change my address in New York City?” I say, controlling my excitement. “Actually, I’m offended you expect me to move in with you without a ring.” I clutch my shirt the same way my mother had her necklace. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

“Right. You’re the kind who will fuck me senseless in a club in view of the dance floor. Play your cards right and a ring can be negotiated.” He cups my face in both hands and kisses me to prove he’s serious and loves me.

“This can’t be real,” I mistakenly say out loud.

“Why not?” His brown eyes bore into mine as if he sees into my brain and extracts my thoughts.

“Because this is everything I’ve ever wanted, and something terrible is going to happen.” Balance. I take a deep breath. The truth, snuck in between jokes, helps to stop my thoughts from spiraling.

“Doom and gloom is my thing.” Sky wraps around me, koala-bear style. “Let’s make a deal not to waste time anticipating bad things. Crap happens on the daily, and worrying about it won’t help.”

“Agreed.” I nuzzle into Sky’s hair, my stubble catching his neck. “Nothing better than seeing your face every day, permanently.”