Thirty-Three

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ATTY

It's beenten days since my cousin's wedding. I've heard from my mother six times. She calls and stammers over conversation. Nothing concerning the wedding or Marie or even Marie's parents. Nothing in regard to Toby, either. She just calls as if she wants to check in. I think I've heard that she loves me more times in the last week and a half than I have in the last decade.

I'm not sure if she's working up to talking about everything she's not saying. Maybe she's waiting for me to say more. The thing is—I have nothing else to say. Once I started, I just couldn't stop.

Most of it was how they always pushed me and Marie into something we didn't want. Her mother remained belligerent. Marie—who was there with a date, mind you—had to physically pull her away. When that wasn't enough, Anabeth made her leave with the threat of calling the cops if she didn't.

My cousin was very understanding. Her new husband was sweet too.

I feel lighter. Happier. I'm not sure where my relationship stands with my parents, exactly, but I think it's going to be okay. Hopefully.

Training camp starts in a few weeks. My friends are over as kind of a last hurrah before it gets hectic again. It's the only time we all found that we weren't committed to something else.

With the rest of the meat for the grill tucked under my arm in the containers I had them marinating in, I head out back to join my friends. We chose my house because Toby was arriving a little later than everyone else. He'd already made plans to head home to Glensdale to spend time with Jayse and Vulcan.

We've been together practically every day since the wedding. Nights too. While I don't mean to compare what my life had been like with Marie versus Toby, I do subconsciously. Not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me realize I should have figured out a long time ago that Marie and I just weren't compatible. It's in all the little things. There are moments when I watch Toby do something and think to myself, I hated the way Marie did that.

Toby could do literally the same thing, and I find it adorable! Why? Is it just because of how I feel about Toby as opposed to how I felt about Marie? Maybe I got to the point in our relationship where nothing was cute. Everything bothered me.

Coming to the realization that maybe that's true, it makes me hate Marie's parents all the more. There's some resentment toward my parents as well, but… I think my mother's trying.

I set the containers on the outside counter by the grill. They're pretty much up to room temperature since I took them out of the fridge this morning. We have a whole countertop filled with food. Hugo brought these little net tent covers for the food that he saw online and was extremely excited about. He called last week to tell me about them.

So our food is safe from bugs. Not the hot sun, but I have a pergola to keep everything out of direct sunlight. And we have a large tray of ice for the cold things to sit on.

Turning to my yard, I smile. Winslow is sitting on the outdoor couch with Hugo's date talking about trees or something. That's what it sounded like before I went inside, anyway. Strangely, they're both very invested in the conversation. I think a heated debate is underway.

Hugo is sitting on a footstool in front of Egon, who's sitting on the grass with his back against Rakesh's legs. Rakesh is sitting in a chair. The sunlight catches on Egon's wedding band where their hands are linked over Egon's shoulder.

Rake is talking to my neighbor Joe, who was in the yard when we came outside. For the record, I was going to invite him to join us, regardless of whether he was outside or not.

Noah is sitting in Elixon's lap. They're involved in the conversation with Egon and Hugo. Noah's nails are painted lilac today. But what has me smiling in his direction is that his hair is in pigtails with little bows and he has a collar around his neck with a small lock. He only wears a skirt at his own house on occasion. More so when there aren't other people around. One on one, he might, like the last time we were at his house.

It's really heart-warming that he's feeling more comfortable with us. It makes me feel good that he trusts that he's in a safe space.

"Hey, man," Hugo says, and I turn my attention from Noah. He's grinning like a loon, because that's Hugo Bladen. Always with a smile. "Where's Toby?"

"He called half an hour ago and said he was forty minutes away. So he'll be here any minute."

"Cool." He looks at all the food and I swear, I can see his pride over his tents working. "So… can I ask you a question now?" When I sigh, he quickly adds, "I'm just curious!"

"I know, Hugo. You can ask but I might not answer."

He nods. "Why do you think you turned bisexual?"

"Hugo!" Noah admonishes. Hugo winces and looks back over his shoulder.

"I don't mean that like… is that not okay to ask?" If it weren't for the horror on his face, one might think that he plays this up. But I've known Hugo for a while now and that's not really the case.

Lix kisses Noah's temple and deposits him in the chair they're sharing before joining us. He grabs a drink and then stops beside Hugo. "That's not the way sexuality works. You're born the way you are, but sometimes it can take years and years to learn all the things about yourself. Sometimes you might never know some aspects of your personality, sexuality, or even your interest until very specific circumstances make you question it."

"Oh," Hugo says, looking at me again. "What was the circumstance that made you"—he pauses and glances at Lix—"realize you're bisexual?"

"Better," Lix says with a smile. Hugo's shoulders relax a little.

He's grinning again when he looks at me.

"Seeing Toby," I answer, shrugging.

"Do you think if you never saw Toby, you might not… uh… know?" Lix nods approval and Hugo sighs in relief.

"Maybe. I really shudder to think that's the case, but it's entirely possible."

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I reach for it. A smile splits my face. "We can talk more later, Hugo." I slap his arm, so he knows I'm not upset at him before turning to head back inside. Finally, Toby's here.

I step inside just as the front door opens. Toby's smile greets me and I practically burn under my skin with such overwhelming warmth that I can't believe I've lived my whole life without feeling it.

Have I ever been this excited just seeing someone who's been away for a few days?

The door shuts as I cross the room and Toby practically jumps into my arms, wrapping his legs around my waist and kissing me hotly. I missed his tongue. His soft but demanding lips. The way he holds my face with fistfuls of hair, so I'm exactly where he wants me.

I miss his ass. My fingers flex around his round cheeks. I miss his body against mine—the heat, his heartbeat, his breaths, the soft, firm texture of his skin.

"Too many days," Toby says with a sigh, resting his forehead against mine. "Sorry I'm late."

"You're not late. How're Jayse and Vulcan?"

Toby nods, still pressing kisses all over my face. I close my eyes to let him shower me in his love. A man could get used to this kind of doting.

"Good. It was nice to be back in the forge again, but man, I don't miss the heat from the furnace. I feel like I lost eight pounds in sweat just being in the room!"

He's told me about the forge before. I grin. "It's still just so cool that you know how to metalwork."

He hums. "It is pretty cool. But you should see Vulcan do it. He looks like the god of fire and forge. But you know, a pretty pink version."

I grin. "I can't wait to meet him. How are Jayse and his porn coming along?"

Toby snorts. "He's good. Has a few more collabs coming up that he's excited about. No one I care for much, but they'll be good exposure for him."

"Hey!"

Toby and I twist around to see Noah in the back door. His eyes are wide. "You need to see this."

I meet Toby's eyes for a minute before setting him on his feet. With our hands linked, we head back into the yard. Noah has settled on Lix's lap again, but everyone is looking into the neighbor's yard. The yard that had previously been empty.

"Someone's moving in," Hugo says with excitement as if he's the one getting a new neighbor.

"Wait for it," Egon adds.

I'm not sure what I'm waiting for. We can't exactly see the moving truck from here, but there's no doubt that there's movement inside. The back slider is open to the patio and we can see people moving around.

Then, he steps outside and takes a deep breath of fresh air. My eyes widen.

"No shit," I mutter.

"Is that…?" Toby asks, voice trailing off.

"Hey! That's our new coach!" Hugo says loudly, still excited.

I'm not at all surprised that his tone makes Ajo turn in our direction. His eyes scan the yard and he smiles. We watch as he approaches, stopping just on his side of the property line. Which is nothing but a flowerbed that Joe maintains.

"Hello, boys," Ajo says. "And lady."

"Hey, Coach! You just bought that house?" Hugo asks.

Coach Ajo nods. "I did."

Egon shifts. "So… you remember everyone? Want a quick refresher?"

"That would be nice, Egon. Thank you," Ajo says.

I'm not surprised they already know each other. Egon's been to the arena several times since Ajo was introduced to the team. And not just for workouts with the team. He's been meeting with the coaches and other hands-on members—those who actually deal with us players on a regular basis.

"This is my husband, Rakesh," Egon starts. Rake inclines his head and Ajo offers him a polite smile. "Noah Kain—he's our wingman."

Noah gives him a nervous smile, his hands fidgeting in his lap.

"Elixon Kipler retired. Remember him?" Egon asks.

Ajo chuckles. "How's retirement, Lix?"

Lix grins, and I wonder if they knew each other in a past life, before Lix retired. "Good, Coach. I'm enjoying being home and updating our house room by room while my man earns all the money and does the hard work. I suspect that it'll be our dream home right before he's traded."

Noah scowls.

Ajo chuckles. "As far as I know, there are no plans of trading Noah."

A smile settles on Noah's pretty lips and then he scoots back into Lix a little more as if to hide.

Wait… did I just think his lips are pretty?! What the fuck is that? Why did I even notice that?

"You know Hugo and Winslow—d man and goalie?" Egon says. "That's Hugo's date."

Hugo nods and turns to her. It's clear that he can't remember her name when his eyebrows knit together.

"Dana," she interjects, rolling her eyes.

"Yes," Egon agrees. "The lovely Dana is Hugo's date. This is Joe. He lives there." Egon points to the house behind mine. Ajo glances in that direction with a nod. "He does all the landscaping and is damn good at it."

"It's the prettiest yard in the entire neighborhood," Hugo says.

"That it is," Winslow agrees.

Joe grins. "Thank you, boys."

"And this is Hector, wingman. He's the one who actually lives here. And his boyfriend Toby."

"Pleasure to meet and re-meet you all," Ajo says.

"Would you like to join us?" I ask. "We're grilling and have plenty of food."

Ajo looks around the yard for a minute, maybe studying our faces, before he nods. "Thank you. I'm going to change and make sure the rest of my belongings make it inside, and I'll be over."

"Cool," Hugo says, beaming.

We watch him walk away. When he's disappeared back inside, Toby says, "Wow." Then whistles. "He's…"

Noah nods. "He is, definitely."

"He is what?" Hugo asks. Winslow chuckles, shaking his head.

"Hot," Toby supplies. "Even you must see that."

"Oh." Hugo tilts his head as he thinks about it. "Yeah, I guess."

Noah reaches up and touches his hair, glancing nervously at Ajo's house. Lix whispers something in his ear and he sighs before leaning into Lix, who wraps his arms around him.

Toby pulls me by my hand to another chair and into his lap. Spreading his legs, I fall between them and there we wait for Ajo to return as the conversations quietly continue.

"You didn't predict Ajo's move to L.A.," Hugo says.

Toby shakes his head. "My predictions are based on observations and statistics. I can't possibly know about who's calling who and offering deals. I did know L.A.'s coach was, what did they report?"

"He has taken an opportunity elsewhere," Egon says, smirking.

"Right. I knew that. There were a couple of other coaches in the air, having been released from their teams—or having taken their leave. There was only a rumor that Ajo was moving, nothing definite."

"He seems cool," Hugo says, once more studying the yard.

Maybe ten minutes later, Ajo returns with a pastry box in his hand. "I'm sorry I don't have anything else to offer except the box of sweets from the real estate agent," he says.

"No worries," I promise and gesture to the counter filled with food. "We have enough to feed half the team."

"There are drinks in the fridge," Egon adds. "Beer, wine, soda, water… there might even be some juice. Help yourself."

Ajo gives him a nod and sets down the desserts. He rounds the counter and grabs a water from the fridge before taking a seat on the stool facing us.

There's a moment of awkward silence.

"You know, you don't have to feel obligated to invite me to join you," Ajo says.

"It's not that," Hugo explains. "We're just not sure what's appropriate in front of our coach."

Well, isn't that the truth?

Ajo chuckles. "I'm not your coach right now. I'm your neighbor."

"Oh," Hugo says. Honestly, we all should have seen the next moment coming. "Can I ask you a question?"

"No!" Noah and Egon shout at the same time as Winslow reaches for him and slaps his hand over Hugo's mouth.

Toby and Joe burst out laughing. Ajo's eyes widen a little in alarm.

"Okay, so… Hugo is very inquisitive," I explain. "He asks a ton of questions, and we love that about him."

"But he doesn't always ask them in a way that doesn't come across as offensive," Egon adds.

"We promise, he's not at all being intentionally offensive," Winslow says as he lets go of Hugo.

Hugo flushes, looking sheepish. "I'm not very smart," he apologizes. "So I don't always know how to ask the questions I have. But I don't say them to be mean or… judgmental."

Winslow tugs on him. "You are smart. Don't let anyone say otherwise." Hugo gives him a bemused look.

"I agree," Lix says. "I think you're so smart that there's too much going on in your head; sometimes it all gets jumbled, and your questions come out a little mixed up."

Hugo bows his head, smiling. "Thanks."

Ajo watches us all, a quiet smile on his lips. When Hugo looks back up at him with questions in his eyes, Ajo nods. "You can ask."

Hugo swallows and carefully considers what he wants to say. "Do you…" He shakes his head. "Did you move alone?" He looks at me, silently asking if that was appropriate.

I smile. Appropriate or not, he really does try to not sound like a dick.

"I did," Ajo says. "I prefer to live alone. My cousin of sorts stays with me somewhat frequently when he's around, but otherwise, it's me and my two cats."

"Cousin of sorts?" Hugo asks, eyebrows once more knit.

"He's my brother's wife's sister's cousin-in-law," Ajo explains and then pauses. "I think. So, not technically family but family by a long extension."

"Ah," Hugo says. "I'm single too."

Ajo looks at Dana.

"Oh, except for Dana," Hugo adds.

Dana rolls her eyes again.

"Winny's single too," Hugo offers.

Winslow sighs as he gets to his feet. He roughs up Hugo's hair on the way by him, making his way to the grill. He enjoys cooking and does so at most gatherings. "Yes, I am and have absolutely no intention of changing that."

Hugo looks at Joe expectantly.

Joe chuckles. "I'm divorced and prefer my cat to my ex. Believe it or not, even with her lethal claws, she's a lot less mean."

Hugo's eyes go wide. "That sounds horrifying."

The yard chuckles.

Thank fuck for Hugo. He exudes just the sweet innocence we need to ease us into comfortable conversation with our new coach. The rest of the night is the quiet relaxation and camaraderie that we'd intended.