“Hello?”
“I have a huge favor to ask, and I’m worried with you being on the outs with Gavin, and no doubt—justifiably—pissed off at me, you’ll tell me no.”
Michael smiled at Marshall’s fast-talking mouthful—like he’d half expected Michael to hang up on him before he could get his words out. He was incapable of telling Marshall no. “Hit me. You never know.”
“Well, I’ve got two club level tickets to the Blue Fires game tonight. The team is doing a shout out on the Jumbotron to me, bragging about me being this year’s starting quarterback for the Land Sharks. Anyhow, I was hoping you’d go with me.”
Michael chewed his bottom lip. If Gavin was playing tonight and Michael was with Marshall, on the Jumbotron no less, no one could claim he’d broken into Gavin’s house. Seemed perfect to him. “Would you like me to wear your jersey?”
Marshall’s triumphant cry made it worthwhile. “I think you should wear Gavin’s.”
Michael went back to chewing on his bottom lip. That would be awesome. That is, if Gavin even saw it. “I could do that.”
“Awesome,” Marshall said, sounding happy. “I’ll come by and get you around six, if that’s okay?”
“Works for me,” Michael agreed even as he mentally rearranged his plans for a home invasion. “I’ll see you at six.” After exchanging goodbyes, Michael hung up and dialed Kieran’s number. He needed to tweak his plan of action.
By the time Marshall arrived, Michael thought he’d crawl out of his skin. He paced the floor and tugged at his clothes, questioning his every decision. He’d worn a long-sleeve t-shirt beneath Gavin’s jersey, since the arena would be cold. Right now, he was burning alive.
“You look ready to flip out. Are you sure you want to do this?” Marshall asked, looking concerned.
“Absolutely,” Michael said, somehow managing to sound excited. “It’s your night. I’m here for you. That’s what brothers are for.”
“Exactly,” Marshall said, sounding a little too enthusiastic. Michael chalked it up to nerves. He was about to face a crowd of thousands after all. Unexpectedly, Marshall pulled him into a hug.
“What’s this?” Michael asked, patting him on the back.
“Just thinking,” Marshall said as he pulled away. “We don’t really look that much alike anymore. That makes me sad.”
“Okay,” Michael said, dragging out the word. “Are you feeling nostalgic?”
Marshall shrugged. “Like I said, just thinking. It’s always been just us. When we were kids, I didn’t think about it much. As long as we kept our grades up and cleaned up our parties before Mom and Dad saw them, no one ever paid attention to us.”
“Your parties,” Michael reminded him.
“Whatever,” Marshall said with a laugh. “The point is, all we’ve ever really had is each other. I guess I’m just happy you’re going with me tonight. There’s no one else I’d rather have with me.”
To Michael’s surprise, the backs of his eyes stung at Marshall’s confession. They were brothers, and they had all the issues that came along with that, but—in truth—Marshall was his best friend. “Love you, Marsh,” Michael said before the moment got away.
“Love you too, Mikey. I’m sorry I’m always failing you.”
Marshall looked so damn sincere, the pressure on Michael’s chest increased. “You’re not. Don’t think that again.”
Marshall ever-present smile reappeared. He slung one arm around Michael’s neck and headed for the door. “Let’s go before this turns into a tampon commercial.” There was the brother Michael knew and loved. Michael had known he was in there somewhere.
Michael listened to Marshall chatter about game stats and people Michael didn’t know all the way to the arena. He made all the appropriate noises to keep up his end, but Michael’s brain was stuck in a loop of silent panic. By the time they were club level, Michael was ridiculously happy to see a familiar face just to have a break from the monotony of crazy inside his head.
The smile tugging at the corners of Michael’s mouth felt over the top even to him as he pushed his way through the crowd to reach Maksim’s side. “Hey,” he called, snagging the man’s attention.
Maksim turned. His smile was luminous as he greeted Michael. “Hello again. We’re getting very good at meeting like this.” His gaze slid over Michael’s shoulder before meeting Michael’s stare again, and then immediately moving back to over his shoulder. “I don’t wish to alarm you, but you have a man who looks exactly like you standing right behind you.”
Michael snorted. Maksim was exactly the distraction he needed. He moved to the side, making room for Marshall before motioning his brother’s way. “Maksim, this is my brother, Marshall. Marshall, Maksim Petrov. He’s a talent scout.”
Maksim held out his hand for Marshall to shake. “It is nice to meet you. Your face is familiar to me,” Maksim said before laughing. “That wasn’t meant to be the joke it turned out to be. I honestly believe I’ve seen you before. In fact, I’m already positive I’d like to see you again.”
“Marshall is quarterback for the Land Sharks,” Michael explained, hoping to skate past Maksim’s flirting before Marshall landed in an uncomfortable position.
“Ah, that explains things. Would the two of you care to sit with me?”
“I’d like that,” Marshall said, quietly answering for them.
Michael’s gaze shot the man’s way. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard Marshall speak in such a serious tone. His brother was the fun one. Michael was the serious one. That was just how things were. Marshall’s usual smile was gone. His gaze remained locked on Maksim, and he moved to follow the man before Michael got a read on Marshall’s sudden change in mood.
When they reached Maksim’s private table, Michael chose the opposite side, leaving Marshall to sit next to Maksim. Marshall didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he still hadn’t stopped staring at the charismatic Russian.
“Where are you from, Mr. Petrov?”
Maksim winked. “It is Maksim only. I am from Samara. It is the sixth largest city in Russia.”
Marshall’s smile finally made an appearance. “I don’t know much about Russia. Sorry.”
The way Maksim smiled had Michael leaning forward in his seat. He was dying to know what the man was thinking. Michael had never seen a wickeder grin. “If you’d like to learn, I’d be happy to give you a tour. It is a very beautiful place. Of course, it’s cold, and you are probably used to the heat. I’m sure I could find ways to keep you warm.”
Marshall played the fool. “I’ve heard how y’all like to drink.”
“Among other things,” Maksim said, inching closer to Marshall.
It was odd. The first time Michael met Maksim, he hadn’t thought the man especially handsome. As he spoke to Marshall, openly flirting, Michael realized the man was gorgeous. His dark blue eyes were almost violet. They flashed with heat when he stared at Marshall. His dark hair kept falling in his face. Marshall’s hand shot out, as if he intended to push a strand behind Maksim’s ear. He caught himself and dropped his hand to the table. Michael couldn’t look away. He wanted to search the ice for Gavin and eat his man alive with this stare. He loved watching Gavin in action, but Marshall had his attention. His brother was alive in a way Michael had never seen. It was fascinating and had the added benefit of keeping Michael from thinking too much about what was currently taking place at Gavin’s. Damn, he hoped no one got arrested tonight.
Shayne appeared at the edge of the table, saving Michael from staring and from worrying. He handed Marshall an ear piece and another to Michael. “Put these in. They’ll be announcing you soon.”
“Wait,” Michael said, holding the ear piece away from him like a snake. “Why do I need this?”
“They’ll be highlighting you as well. You’re here with Marshall,” Shayne said evasively before moving along and leaving Michael floundering behind him.
He looked at Marshall in confusion. “Why do I need thi
s?”
Marshall shrugged. “Just put it in. We’re almost out of time.” Michael shoved the ear piece in as Marshall appeared on the Jumbotron.
“Joining us tonight, cheering for his home team, is quarterback for the New Orleans Land Sharks, Marshall Frost.”
Marshall smiled and waved to the sound of loud cheers—like the star he was born to be.
To Michael’s surprise, his image appeared on the large screen. “Also joining us this evening is Marshall’s twin, Michael Frost, fiancé to Blue Fires Forward, Gavin Weeks.”
Michael waved before the words sank in. The loud clapping and whistling from the surrounding crowd left Michael wondering if he’d heard the announcement in his ear correctly. The camera focused on Gavin, who pumped his fist in the air once, making the noise of the crowd increase by tenfold. Michael could only blink. He had no idea what was happening.
“Congratulations,” Maksim said, shaking Michael’s hand. Michael let it go on, trying to figure out what just happened to his life.
“Thank you.” His numb lips formed the words, even though they didn’t make sense. Michael’s brain didn’t unthaw until Marshall moved around the table and hugged him.
His brother spoke close to his ear. “Stop looking so shocked. People might think you’re unhappy. By the way, after what Gavin just did, I’m glad you didn’t give up on him through all these years. He obviously loves you and that’s all I’ve ever wanted—someone to deserve you.”
“What just happened?” Even Michael could hear the confusion in his voice. “Did you do this?”
Marshall slapped him across the back, managing to still play the part for anyone watching. “Nah. I just got you here. This was all Gavin. He loves you, Michael. You don’t have to marry him. He’ll be the only one embarrassed if you don’t, but hear him out after the game. Dude loves you.”
“What are your plans later tonight?” Maksim asked, appearing at Marshall’s side and holding a beer out for him. Michael hadn’t even realized Maksim had left.
Marshall’s expression turned wary and Michael’s stomach dropped. “How do you mean?” Marshall asked, his voice tight.
Maksim nodded toward Michael. “Your brother will understandably wish to go home with his fiancé. Perhaps you’d like to go home with me?” Maksim said the words with such confidence, any other man he approached would’ve easily said yes. Marshall wasn’t any man, and Michael forgot his own predicament. A groan rose in his throat and stuck as Marshall’s usual fake smile appeared.
He didn’t reach for the beer. “I think you have the wrong idea about me.”
Maksim’s eyebrows rose. He did not have the wrong impression. Everyone standing there knew it. The gorgeous Russian transformed from smooth flirt to cold indifference so quickly Michael got a chill. “I see. You’re a coward. How tiresome.” Without another word, he walked away.
Marshall’s eyes flashed fire at the man’s back. “Oh, hell no,” he said, going after the man who was quickly disappearing. Michael watched until both men were out of sight. He couldn’t fix Marshall’s problems and his own right now. Maybe Maksim was exactly what Marshall needed. All Michael knew right now was everyone was saying the m-word around him and he hadn’t been asked. In fact, he’d shown up tonight, praying Gavin wasn’t finished with him for good while hatching a plan of his own.
His gaze fixed upon the ice where Gavin skated toward the goal. The man was large and powerful. He was soft and beautiful on the inside—where he only let Michael see. Fuck. Michael was ridiculously in love with Gavin. What if the announcers had made a mistake? Surely they’d misread who he was and Gavin would laugh about it after the game... if Gavin even spoke to him after the game.
“Congratulations,” Shayne said, reappearing with a tech guy to retrieve the ear piece.
Michael handed it over while dodging Shayne’s stare. “Thank you. I think they made a mistake, though.”
Shayne’s smile never dimmed. “Not at all. Gavin asked me for this favor and I obliged. No mistakes. Your brother being here is a huge media boost. People love seeing sports teams from their hometown supporting one another. They also like feeling as if they’re part of the players’ family, which means getting all the big announcements on their personal lives. The Blue Fires are proud to have you joining our family.”
Michael couldn’t respond. Marshall’s claim rang loud in his head. Gavin would be the one embarrassed if Michael denied this. No way would he let that happen. In truth, Michael shouldn’t have been that surprised. This was a total Gavin move. He wanted something, so he took it. Just like the first time they’d kissed and the first time he’d slipped inside Michael’s bed. When he’d spotted Michael inside that coffee shop, he’d found a way to insert himself back in Michael’s life. Despite their need to talk, Michael realized he couldn’t stop smiling. It seemed he liked having his life taken over. Plus, Gavin could hardly get mad over Michael’s plans now. He couldn’t wait to see Gavin’s face.
Gavin wondered if he’d puke. If Michael didn’t show up for him after the game, despite Marshall’s plan to quietly abandon him there, Gavin would know Michael was finished. The pressure was squeezing the life from his chest. Several of his teammates and one reporter had offered their congratulations since he’d hit the locker room. If Michael didn’t show, Gavin would take the humiliation as his due, but he had to try. Michael deserved to be publicly claimed. No shame. Gavin hoped all those people from high school had been watching, or—at the very least—heard about their engagement on the news tonight. Michael deserved for Gavin to go that far and even beyond. Still, it had been the biggest risk of his life. Not to mention, his dad would fucking freak.
For the thousandth time since the game ended, Gavin’s gaze shot to the mouth of the dressing room. A lone figure leaned against the wall outside the door. With his hands shoved in his pockets, Michael stared at the floor. Gavin would know the top of that head anywhere. His nervousness doubled. Too late, Gavin realized just because Michael had shown didn’t mean they weren’t still over. His feet still moved in the man’s direction, because that was where Gavin belonged. At his approach, Michael’s chin lifted. Their gazes met. A burning sensation began at the backs of Gavin’s eyes. Nothing else had ever mattered to him the way Michael did. For years, he’d lived in some fucked up form of stasis, waiting for this moment right here. His feet didn’t stop until his body collided with Michael’s. Their mouths met halfway. The rest of the world ceased to exist. Gavin couldn’t stop touching Michael. The man’s kiss tasted a lot like forgiveness.
Gavin pulled away only far enough to touch his forehead to Michael’s. Still, he couldn’t stop stroking the man’s face. He’d been so damn scared he’d never get to touch him again. “I love you. Thank god you showed up.” Gavin didn’t care if he rambled. For days, everything had felt wrong without Michael. He couldn’t imagine the rest of his life like that.
“I love you too. Where else would I be?”
Gavin laughed at the question but didn’t loosen his hold on Michael. “Anywhere, I suppose.”
Michael shook his head, squishing their foreheads together as he did. “You’re the love of my life. This is where I belong. I’m sorry for everything,” Michael tacked on, surprising Gavin. “You deserve better from me than I acted.”
Gavin leaned away, unsure of what to say. Not only had he not expected Michael to apologize, Gavin wasn’t sure Michael owed him an apology, especially since Gavin had been pretty damn high handed tonight and they hadn’t discussed that yet.
“Come home with me tonight.”
Michael nodded. “I’d like that, since I’m your fiancé and all.”
A smile exploded across Gavin’s face. “Come home with me,” Gavin repeated. “I think I can convince you stay for good.”
“Is that really what you want?”
“Do you want to talk about it here?” Gavin shot back as quickly.
“You’re right,” Michael said, straightening away from the wall. “I’d nev
er make you get on your knees here.” Michael turned away as he made the claim, stealing Gavin’s chance to see if he meant the words. It sounded a hell of a lot like Michael wasn’t turning him down.
Hope spurred Gavin forward, following on Michael’s heels and overcoming him. He wrapped his arms around Michael’s waist from behind and matched his steps as they headed for the door. “So, it’s like that, huh? You plan to make me beg.”
“Not beg,” Michael said, sounding happy. “Just ask properly instead of assuming. Plus, I have a point to make.”
That last bit confused Gavin. “Okay. What’s that?”
“You’ll see.”
That sounded ominous. All Gavin could do was pick up his pace and try to get home as fast as possible. The sooner they were alone, the faster Gavin could celebrate his victory. On the drive home, Gavin waffled between racing to the house and driving as slow as possible. Even though Michael acted like they were okay, Gavin was terrified it was a temporary reprieve.
“Did you tell Marshall you were leaving with me?”
Michael snorted. “Marshall ditched me five minutes after the Jumbotron incident.”
Gavin’s shot a quick glance Michael’s way. “What? Why would he do that?”
“It’s a long story,” Michael said. He ran his hand up Gavin’s thigh. “I’ll tell you all about it later.”
Since Gavin’s house came into view, he let it slide. They had bigger issues right now than Michael’s flake of a brother. Not to mention, as self-absorbed as Marshall might be, he loved Michael and would always have his back. Whatever happened, Gavin was certain it wasn’t too huge of a deal. “Damn, looks like I left half the lights in the house on. I guess I was a little nervous when I headed out earlier.”
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