Pucking Wild (Thin Ice #11)

Chapter Five

One week with Tavey turned into two. Two became four. Unfortunately, summer training couldn’t be avoided. It was a lot harder to leave Tavey behind than Hugo expected. He had done a ton of soul searching. From the moment Hugo learned about Tavey’s family, a million realizations had hit. They wouldn’t stop coming. He saw Tavey. Possibly, he was the only one who really did. Tavey was the black sheep. He didn’t fit. If Hugo walked away—for something Tavey couldn’t change or control—who else would recognize how he didn’t belong? Tavey needed him.

Storm raced toward the goal while they checked the speed of his shots. Hugo tried to focus on his practice while also trying to find a way to start a conversation with Storm. Since Storm had married Tavey’s younger brother, and he had dated Tavey’s brother since childhood, Storm had to know all about the family. Hugo didn’t want to know all this alone. He needed advice and to commiserate. Hugo didn’t know where to start.

Finally, the whistle blew, sending them to the locker room. Hugo skated into Storm’s path before he got away. “Hey.”

A bright smile met his greeting. It seemed marriage agreed with Storm. “Hey. I hear you’re dating my brother-in-law.”

It sounded weird to be accused of dating anyone, but goddamn. He wanted Tavey. “I am. To be real, I didn’t want to come home. Pickering agrees with me.”

Storm nodded. “I’m the opposite. As much as I adore Barrett’s family, the town is nothing but bad memories for me.”

Hugo could see that. While he didn’t know the whole story, Hugo knew Storm’s dad had tried to kill him. It seemed he had come from an abusive home. Hugo could understand wanting to get away and never looking back.

“It does seem to be an awesome family. They’re already making me feel like I’m part of them.”

Storm’s eyebrows rose. “So you stayed with Tavey while you were there? ”

Hugo nodded. He hoped this opened the door. “I think his dad has us married already.”

A bark of laughter burst from Storm. His eyes swam with good humor. “Yeah. They’re all like that, even the uncles.” Storm eyed him for a second. “Truthfully, though, I never thought Tavey would settle down. You don’t seem the type either. No offense.”

Hugo shrugged. “That’s fair. I’m not really the type. Even when I headed to Canada, I only planned for it to be a good time. I don’t know what happened. After spending time with Tavey, his family, and meeting people they know, I just clicked. I don’t know what Tavey’s excuse is, though. He definitely shouldn’t have settled on me.”

Storm chuckled. “They’re unique.” He sat on the bench and worked on loosening his skates. Hugo joined him while Storm continued. “All of them are insanely passionate. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like everything they do is with their whole chest. I was eight when I met Barrett. No one else ever stood a chance.” Storm met and held his stare. “Any normal person in their right mind should be terrified. They’re dangerous. You understand?”

Hugo nodded.

A sweet smile touched Storm’s lips. “With that said, there’s a flip side to that. That intensity doesn’t stop at the door when they’re not working.” Storm’s smile grew. “That’s what happened. That’s what you can’t explain. Once you’ve had that much passion for life and intensity directed solely at you, everything else looks bland.”

Hugo didn’t know what to say. Storm put all Hugo’s thoughts and feelings into words. “It’s driving me crazy how badly I want to get back to him.” Hugo couldn’t believe he admitted that aloud .

Storm didn’t laugh at him. In fact, his serious expression matched the pressure Hugo felt in his chest. “Why do you think this job almost killed me last year?”

Hugo lost his breath. Storm had attempted to take his own life a year ago. Hugo had spoken to him that day. It had been eerie as fuck. They had been practicing that day, too. Hugo had approached Storm because the guy had looked so fucking lost. Then Storm had left, gone home, and slit his wrists.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m too vain to die for this.”

Storm’s expression changed. A huge smile exploded across his face. “I’m not worried. Unlike Barrett, no one notices when Tavey disappears. He won’t give you any peace.”

Even as Hugo laughed, he prayed that was true. Something happened to him in Canada. Hugo wasn’t ready for it to end.

Two nights of tossing and turning while trying to sleep alone were enough for Tavey. He hopped the first flight he could get. Tavey ended up beating Hugo home from practice. He had to sit in the driveway in his rental car, praying Hugo didn’t turn up with someone else. They had decided to be exclusive. Tavey didn’t know how much that actually meant to Hugo. He supposed he would find out soon enough.

When Hugo’s massive truck pulled into the driveway, Tavey’s nerves shot through the roof. The garage door opened, and Hugo pulled inside. Tavey stared so hard at the truck, he nearly went cross-eyed. Then Hugo jumped out, wearing a huge smile. Relief poured through Tavey as Hugo headed his way. Like the giant puppy he was, Hugo ran to the car and practically ripped open the door.

“Holy shit! I can’t believe you’re here.” He overcame Tavey before he could climb from the car. Their tongues clashed. He felt Hugo’s happiness like a physical touch. This. This was why he couldn’t stay away. When they were apart, he forgot how intense they felt, but he also felt something missing from him. It was this.

“Does this mean you missed me?”

That huge grin he couldn’t resist showed itself again at the question. “Fuck, yeah. I was just telling Storm how much I hated coming back home. This was the best surprise to come home to.”

Tavey leaned his head back against the seat and eyed Hugo. He was a little angry with himself for how much he missed the guy’s face. Travis was right. His father would never allow two sons to move to the U.S., and Hugo couldn’t leave. They were wasting time together. Yet Tavey couldn’t stop. Neither could he ignore the blocks sitting in their path.

“What are we doing?”

Confusion crossed Hugo’s features. “What do you mean?”

Tavey made a helpless gesture. “I mean this. You live here. I live in Canada. My job is there. Yours is here. Neither of us can relocate, but I hate being away from you. I don’t know how to navigate this or if there’s any hope. Am I wasting your time?”

Hugo’s expression softened. He took Tavey’s hand and helped him from the car. “Come on.” Tavey climbed out and closed the door. Hand in hand, they headed inside. Hugo had a nice house in a historic neighborhood. It had obviously been restored and upgraded with the greatest of care. The place looked like someone loved it. He had a feeling it was Hugo, and that was just another sign there was no hope for them. No future.

Hugo went straight for the couch. He pulled Tavey onto his lap and squeezed him. Several loud kisses landed on Tavey’s ear until he couldn’t stop smiling. Finally, Hugo settled down. Tavey felt his lips curve into a smile against his ear. “Listen, sexy. My job has always required me to be on the road. No matter where I live, I’ll be gone half the time. If your work schedule is normally the way it’s been the past month, then I see no reason we can’t make this work. I’m already traveling all the time. It’s nothing for me to come to you half of the time if you’re willing to come to me the other half. Maybe sometimes it’ll be more me than you, and vice versa. No matter what, this traveling back-and-forth thing won’t be forever. I can’t play this game forever. But, for now, I’m willing to work for this if you are.”

“Absolutely.” Tavey sounded breathless even to his ears. He was back in Hugo’s arms. They were communicating and on the same page. This was a real, adult relationship. It was as sexy as it was terrifying. There was nowhere else he would rather be.