Spiral (Off the Ice, #2) (90)
We picked him up from school this morning, and after Elias made us lunch, Sean drilled both of us about our relationship like an overprotective father.
“You have an excessive number of cherry-scented candles in your bathroom,” Sean says when he walks into the kitchen in a fresh T-shirt and basketball shorts.
Elias offers him a cupcake and he’s about to refuse before Elias says, “Sugar-free.”
Sean blinks, staring at the white frosting for a long time. We watch him with anticipation, and I notice his glossy eyes. They mirror my own, because the way he looks at my boyfriend is the same way he looked at our uncle when he asked Sean if he wanted to try out for junior hockey. In awe.
He doesn’t say a word when he takes a bite, but his eyes sparkle. “Is there anything you can’t do?” he says through a mouthful.
“Don’t inflate his ego.” I roll my eyes even though I know those cupcakes are damn good.
“Ah, never mind, there it is. You can’t make my sister shut up,” Sean remarks.
Elias’s laugh is muffled into his fist. When I gasp in offense, he clears his throat. “Yeah, but I’m not a big fan of the silence anymore.”
I narrow my eyes at Sean. “You would be bored out of your mind without me.”
“Doubt it,” he mumbles, still chewing. I chuck an oven mitt at him; he catches it effortlessly. Damn athletes and their stupid reflexes. “I’m kidding!”
Aiden’s voice echoes from the living room, and Sean hastily stuffs the entire cupcake into his mouth, giving Elias a muffled thanks. The lively sounds of a cheering crowd emanate from the living room. It’s the newest NHL video game that was released this month. This one features a mix of new and classic players, including Summer’s dad, Lukas Preston.
When I turn back to Elias, he lets me take the bag of icing and pipe some onto the extra cupcakes. Another batch comes out of the oven, and I help with those too.
Elias’s phone pings on the counter, and when he glances at it, his expression drops.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
His shoulders tense. “It’s the wire transfer text for the money I send to my biological dad.”
“Oh.” I try not to involve myself more than I should. But I can’t help it. “I don’t know how you do it. You shouldn’t have to give him your hard-earned money because of a lie. It’s not fair, Elias.”
“I have no choice.”
“You do,” I assure him. “The girl who your dad paid came clean, and your parents would do anything to protect you. Nobody will fault you for being manipulated.”
“I don’t want anyone else getting involved in my mess after all these years. I have you now, and I’d hate for people to question your character because of rumors about me. I won’t let that happen.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Do I look weak to you?”
“Not at all.”
“Then stop worrying about me. Decide for yourself if you want to live your life with the feeling you just had after reading that text.” I press my hand on his shoulder. “I’m here for you. Every step of the way.”
After a long, tense minute, he nods. “I’ll think about it.”
It’s frustrating watching him endure his dad’s rhetoric, but I recognize this isn’t the moment to intervene. “Cupcakes for dinner are perfect,” I say, changing the topic. “But I’m kind of a responsible guardian, so I have to feed that kid something nutritious.”
Elias chuckles, his shoulder relaxing. “We’re going out to dinner. It’ll be a little celebration for you securing Swan Lake.”
I agree, only because Sean will love it. But if it were just us, I’d much rather have Elias cook dinner, watch Dirty Dancing on the couch, try my new face masks, and spend the night in his arms. And maybe on his thigh.
When the evening sky dips into a pretty midnight blue, we head out. Aiden stayed at home because he has a virtual date with Summer. Something about a special episode of their favorite show airing tonight.
For the most part the car ride to the undisclosed restaurant is silent, aside from Sean’s music playing on the speakers.
“I’ve decided I’m going to Dalton for college,” Sean announces.
My head whips to him. “I thought you were aiming for a hockey scholarship to Yale?”
“Haven’t you heard? Yale is the enemy.” He sounds dead serious. It seems like him hanging with Aiden and playing video games with the rest of the guys online has resulted in a successful brainwashing. “Besides, Dalton beat them, and I want to carry on the legacy.”
I snort. “They were ahead by one at the Frozen Four. I’d hardly count that as a victory.”
Elias gives me a sidelong glance. “Oh yeah? You wanna say that to my face?”
Rolling my eyes, I look over my shoulder to see Sean laughing. Ignoring the two Dalton cronies, I stare out the window as we approach the CN Tower.
“Is that ... ?”
“We’re going to the revolving restaurant?” Sean asks in excitement.
It’s the restaurant where Elias and I had our first date. The memories hit me instantly, and my mind skips to the two of us standing by the water, settling in the comfortable silence.
Elias smiles. He’s so nonchalant, it’s like he’s taking us to a fast-food chain. The restaurant is primarily haute cuisine, and usually after big showcases, this is where dancers like to go. I’d always opt out and heat up a frozen dinner at my apartment instead.