Page 99 of Cross the Line

I promised myself I’d do it—soon. We were about to take a break from the podcast, which would give Levi time to digest this news. He still didn’t trust Carson, might never trust Carson. But I was not going to let my brother’s past continue to affect my future.

Morgan started fussing, and Bryn stood, holding out her arms. “I better put her down for her nap.”

“I’ll do it.” Frasier rocked Morgan. “You rest. Visit with Logan.”

“Babe,” Bryn said with a doting smile, placing her hand on his shoulder. “I’ve got it. Besides, you have a podcast episode to record.”

He stood, reluctantly handing Morgan off to Bryn. He pressed a kiss to her temple, and then he watched them go as if he were bidding them farewell for months, not for nap time. Ooh boy. He was going to struggle big-time when the season started back up, though I understood his desire to soak up every minute with his wife and daughter during the off-season. I certainly felt that way about Carson, and we hadn’t been together nearly as long as Frasier and Bryn, nor gone through nearly as much.

“You two have fun.” Bryn yawned, giving me a quick hug. “I’ll catch up with you later, Lo.”

I hugged her back, grateful I was spending the summer in LA and could pop by anytime. “Sounds good. Maybe I can bring by dinner later this week.”

“We’d love that,” Bryn said.

Frasier and I headed down the hall to their home office. Some of Derek’s framed jerseys were on display, as well as other trophies and memorabilia. It was a nice way to honor the memory of a man who had meant so much to both of them. To all of us.

“Feel free to move things around or adjust the lighting. Whatever you need,” Frasier said.

We talked as I set things up, discussing what we might cover on the podcast, but also just catching up on life. I couldn’t believe this was the last time I’d be prepping for the podcast for a few months. As much as I was looking forward to a break, I would miss having a dedicated block of time to talk to my brother.

Finally satisfied, I propped my laptop on the desk and then hit the button to connect with Levi. My hands were shaking, and I tried to act normal as we chatted while we waited for our producer, Cam, to arrive.

“You leave for Monaco next week, right?” I asked, careful to avoid mentioning Alan’s name.

I’d spent time with both of them at Christmas and when they’d come to watch one of my play-off games after Levi’s team had been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Finals. Alan was a fifth-generation Texan. His family owned an honest-to-God ranch. He was a former professional bull rider who managed core partnerships for the Professional Bull Riders organization. And he was a giant teddy bear who was as besotted with Levi as my brother was with him.

I wasn’t going to say anything about Levi and his sexuality, even to my closest friends. That was my brother’s story to tell—when and if he decided to share it.

“Yeah. And then probably apartment hunting when I’m back.”

I smiled, though I wasn’t surprised that he and Alan were planning to move in together. “That’s awesome, Lee.”

“Sorry I’m a little late.” Cam was panting when he appeared on the screen. “But there’s one more story that you might want to mention. I can’t believe you guys didn’t tell me, but I guess you were waiting for it to break.”

“What is it?” Levi asked. “A trade?”

“No. Not a trade.” Cam studied me with an expectant look. “Logan, is there something you want to tell us?” He let the words hang in the air, and I furrowed my brow.

What is he referring to? Something I should know?

“I can’t believe you kept this a secret,” Cam tutted. “Talk about juicy.”

If it wasn’t about a trade, then… my eyes widened. Oh shit. Had someone spotted me with Carson?

I glanced to Levi, my mouth going dry. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get to tell you first.”

“Tell me what?” Levi asked.

I took a shaky breath, and my palms were sweaty. Frasier placed his hand on my shoulder, concern furrowing his brow. “Lo?”

“Wow.” Cam grinned. “I had no idea Levi would be this invested. Lee, are you crushing on Cece?”

“What?” I asked at the same time Levi said, “What? No.”

“What’s the news about Cece?” Frasier asked.

“Oh my god. You don’t know?” Cam asked, his eyes wide.