“Maybe he should ease into that conversation,” Gannon mumbled beneath his breath. “It’s not something you blurt out over spaghetti and meatballs.”
Roan knew that Gannon didn’t have a high opinion of coming out of the closet. He hadn’t been one of the lucky ones either. Like Roan, Gannon’s parents hadn’t embraced the news.
“Are they close?” Cam asked.
“According to him they are.”
“Then I’m sure it’ll be fine. Is he gonna call you?”
Roan shrugged. They talked nearly every day. If not on the phone, then by text. He figured for sure Seg would tell him what was going on, but if things went bad…
“Quit worrying about it,” Gannon stated firmly. “There’s nothing you can do to change the outcome. It is what it is. Think positive.”
Positive. Right.
Roan’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he damn near went through the roof. He yanked it out and stared at the screen while Cam laughed.
Hockey boy: Gonna call you in half an hour. Cool?
Roan responded with: Yeah.
“You’ve gotta go.” Cam pasted on his puppy dog eyes. “And you’re taking this sweet boy away from me, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Fine.” Cam got to his feet and headed for Liam’s diaper bag. He tossed in the few things they’d pulled out, then held the bag out for Roan. “If you need to talk … about anything…”
Roan nodded. “I know.”
“So I assume you’re gonna meet Mama Seg during this visit?”
That wasn’t something Roan wanted to think about right now. He’d been dreading the outcome of Seg’s conversation almost as much as the idea of meeting Seg’s mother. Seriously. Not once in his life had he ever been introduced to the parents.
Cam chuckled. “You need to relax.”
Roan hefted Liam’s diaper bag onto his shoulder, then took Liam into his arms. “Easier said than done.”
“The Arrows are at home this weekend,” Cam noted as they headed for the door. “You wanna catch at least one game? Milly’s been beggin’ me to ask you if she can babysit.”
“I’m sure we can work out somethin’.”
Half an hour later, Roan was sitting on the couch while Liam sat in his swing, staring at anything and everything he could. It didn’t fail to amaze Roan how quickly the little boy was growing. It seemed every day Liam developed a little more. He was gurgling nonsense frequently, pushing up his upper body when he was lying on the floor, smiling more and more, and grasping on to things with a surprisingly strong grip, including the little toys Roan gave him.
When Roan’s phone rang, he tried to play it cool. He even let it ring twice, though he was terrified he’d miss the call.
Pathetic, much?
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Roan tried his best to decipher from the tone of that one word what Seg’s mood was. It didn’t work.
“How’d it go?” Roan asked, leaning back into the cushion of the couch.
“Good. My mom’s … good.”
Roan released a breath, and his shoulders instantly relaxed.
“Roan?”
“Hmm?”
“I want to see you.”
Oh, God. “I wanna see you, too,” he answered softly. This was all new and strange for him. He hadn’t had a… What was Seg to him? His boyfriend? Lover? Roan didn’t even know.
“Can you talk to me for a bit?” Seg asked, his voice warm. “I just want to hear your voice.”
Yeah, this man was impossible to resist. Roan wasn’t sure where things were going or how they’d end up, but he knew for a fact that he was already falling for this sexy hockey player.
And he was falling hard.
“So, how’d it go?” Roan probed, hoping Seg would feel comfortable enough to share the details. “What did she say?”
“She said she loved me,” Seg admitted. “But I never doubted that for a second.”
Roan was genuinely happy that it worked out for Seg. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case, as Roan knew firsthand. “I came out of the closet when I was a teenager,” he told Seg. “Fourteen, maybe. I can’t remember. Anyway, I thought I was in love. Figured there was no way I could hide that from my parents. Hell, I didn’t want to. I was happy. I think more so because I came to terms with the fact that I was gay. Looking back on it now, I wish I’d known then what I know now.”
“Aww, babe,” Seg groaned. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“It happens. My mother packed up and left, took her suitcase and everything. Said she couldn’t live in a house with the devil. Thankfully, Cam’s parents were cool.”
“And your dad?”
“He never said anything, but I know he blamed me for my mother leaving. Truth is, I think they were headed for divorce anyway. They didn’t even bother trying to hide their arguments. Of course, my sisters both blamed me, and they were very verbal about how they felt.”
There was silence for a few seconds before Seg said, “I really want you to meet my mother. I told her about you and Liam. She’s … happy.”
Roan didn’t know what to say to that. He wasn’t sure how he felt about meeting Seg’s mother. In theory, it was fine. But once he did that, it meant he accepted that this relationship was going full steam ahead. As much as he wanted that, Roan was still scared to make that commitment.
“I won’t push you, Roan,” Seg added, his voice low.
Closing his eyes, Roan sighed. “I know.”
“I’ll let you go. I’ve got practice early. We’ve got a game on Friday and Saturday. I was hoping you’d come to one or both.”
“I’d like that,” Roan admitted.
“Good. And I’ll see you at some point this weekend. I’m not sure I can stay away for too long. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Roan disconnected the call and opened his eyes to see Liam snoozing in his swing. He wished Seg was there now so he could avoid the cold, lonely bed. Just a short time with the man and Roan was already looking forward to having him there.
He only hoped like hell he wasn’t jumping the gun on this one.
For Liam’s sake.
And Seg’s.
Nineteen
Thursday, January 26th
“IF YOU KEEP PACING THE floor, you’re going to drive me insane,” his mother claimed when Seg walked through the kitchen and then back out.
He had no idea what he was doing, where he was going, or even what he wanted. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He wanted to see Roan, but he was doing his best not to push the man too far, too fast.
“Why don’t you invite Roan over,” Deb suggested.
Seg stopped moving. “Really?”
His mother’s smile brightened. “Why not? It’s obvious you want to see him.”
He did. More than anything. Seg had hoped he’d be able to make it until Friday before he made the suggestion. He figured his best chance to see Roan was after the game.
Deb went to the refrigerator and pulled out the chicken breast she’d had him buy—one of the half dozen things on her list. “I’ll make dinner. Nothing fancy.”
Seg continued to stare at her, wanting to believe this was real, but still hesitant.
She shot him a grin over her shoulder. “Of course, I could always call him for you.”
“No. Not necessary.” He could only imagine how that conversation would go. Probably something like: Hi, Roan. This is Seg’s mom. He told me all about you, including how he’s head over heels in love and wants to make you his husband. Feel like coming over for dinner tonight? We’re having chicken.
Seg choked on a laugh.
“What’s funny?”
“Nothing.” Nothing at all.
“Go. Call him. Tell him dinner will be ready at five.”
Seg nodded, then headed for his bedroom. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and stared at it. He was working up the nerve to call when his phone vibrated in his hand. He stared
down at the screen to see a text from Roan.
Roan: I give up. I’m trying to be patient, but it isn’t working.
Seg grinned. Rather than type a response, he hit the button to call Roan.
“Hey,” Roan answered.
“Come over,” Seg said by way of greeting. “My mother insists.”
Roan chuckled. “It’s that easy, huh?”
“That easy,” Seg confirmed. “As long as you’re that easy, that is.”
“Oh, I’m easy, all right.”
Seg laughed. That was so far from the truth, but Seg appreciated Roan’s attempt to make him laugh.
“So, is that a yes?”
“Yeah. Do I … uh … need to bring anything?”
“Nope. Just you and Liam. We’ve got the rest covered.” God, he missed this man.
“Okay then. I need to get Liam changed, but then we’ll be heading that way.”
“Perfect. And Roan?”
“Hmm?”
“I fully intend to make out with you while you’re here.”
A soft growl was Roan’s only response before the man started mumbling to Liam.
Seg lowered himself to the edge of his bed as he listened to Roan’s voice. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this off-balance over the fact that someone was coming over. He’d always figured he simply hadn’t met the right woman, but now he knew what it really was. Seg had been waiting for a man.
This man.
“See you in a bit.”
“We’ll be here.”
An hour and a half later, Seg was sitting on the couch, flipping through the channels on the television. It was that or pace the floor. He knew he’d get shit from his mother if he did the latter, so he settled for glancing over at the front door every few seconds. Thankfully, she was still in the kitchen working her culinary magic while he slowly went out of his mind.
They’d spent the first thirty minutes getting the portable crib set up and going through the baby books he’d purchased. She’d gone a little nuts when she found the blankets and sheets but no laundry detergent to wash them. Apparently, babies had a special detergent, and the next thing Seg knew, he’d been on a grocery store run to get the detergent. When he returned, he found that his mother had opened all the packages and had the washing machine loaded and ready to go.
When the knock sounded, Seg’s heart slammed into his sternum and he inhaled sharply. He knew he shouldn’t be nervous about seeing Roan, but he couldn’t help it. Taking a deep breath, he pushed up off the couch and went to the door.
He brushed his hand down over his shirt, smoothing it out before gripping the knob and pulling it open. The instant he saw Roan, his heart skipped another beat.
Yeah, it was safe to say he was in over his head with this one. Way over his head.
Roan lifted an eyebrow and smiled. A strange warmth filled Seg’s insides.
“Invite me in,” Roan whispered, still grinning.
“Right.” Seg stepped out of the way, allowing room for Roan to pass, taking the diaper bag from his arm as he did.
When Roan set the car seat down, Seg instantly leaned over to greet Liam, unbuckling the straps.
“Can I pick him up?” Seg whispered, peering up at Roan.
Roan nodded.
The little boy was snoozing, but Seg gently took him out of the carrier, then settled Liam into his arm and took a moment to drink in the sight of him. Yeah, he’d missed the little boy, too. He wasn’t sure he’d ever really envisioned himself having children—he’d wanted them, yes, but had never gotten to the point of thinking it could really happen—but with Liam, there was an instant connection. He even imagined teaching the little guy how to play hockey one day.
“I’m nervous,” Roan said, pulling Seg’s attention away from Liam.
“Don’t be. She’s harmless,” he told him. “Really.”
“I think you’ve used that term to describe yourself, too.” Roan smiled. “I’m not sure you know the meaning of it.”
Seg laughed, then motioned with his head for Roan to follow him.
It was clear that his mother was doing her best not to race over to them when Seg entered the kitchen. Deb was making every effort to play it cool, but that was one thing his mother had never mastered. She turned, her eyes taking in Roan first, then dropping to the baby Seg held in his arms.
“Ma, this is Roan.” Seg tilted his head toward Roan. “And this is Roan’s son, Liam. Roan, this is my mother, Debra Seguine.”
It was interesting to watch the way her smile slowly spread across her face. Her eyes brightened, and Seg was almost certain she was going to cry, but then Deb spoke.
“It’s great to meet you, Roan.” She moved closer, then lowered her voice as she pulled back the blanket that was covering Liam. “And you, too, Liam.” Her eyes lifted to Seg’s and another smile tilted her lips.
Seg cleared his throat, not sure what to say. Except for the one girl he’d dated in high school, this was the first time Seg had ever introduced his mother to anyone.
“Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. Why don’t you boys go in the living room.”
Seg nodded.
Deb glanced over at Roan. “But you let me know the minute Liam’s awake.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, poo. Call me Deb.”
Roan laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Deb chuckled, then turned around to go back to what she was doing.
And that’s when it sank in.
Seg had officially introduced his mother to … the man he loved.
ROAN FELT LIKE HE WAS in the principal’s office waiting to have a conversation about something he’d done.
No, he had no reason to fear Seg’s mother, but still. He couldn’t seem to relax, no matter how hard he tried. From his spot on the couch, he could hear her moving around the kitchen, and he waited on pins and needles for her to pop her head out and ask him something. It would likely be a question he wouldn’t know the answer to. That’s the way it worked for him. Then again, she could ask him how old he was and Roan wasn’t sure he could come up with the answer. His nerves had successfully fried his brain cells.
“Relax,” Seg whispered, reaching over and touching Roan’s hand.
The warmth infused him and Roan suddenly wished they were alone. Hell, he hadn’t even been able to kiss Seg yet, and he’d been looking forward to it since the last time he’d kissed the man.
“I’m trying.”
“No, you’re not.” Seg chuckled.
“Fine, I’m not.”
“Are you nervous?”
Roan shook his head. “No, I’m terrified.”
Seg laughed again and the sound eased some of the tension in Roan’s shoulders.
“She doesn’t bite.”
Roan peered over at Seg. “So, you’ve done this before?”
“Done what?”
“Introduced your mom to…” Roan didn’t even know what this was.
“To my boyfriend?” Seg’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Can’t say that I have, no. In fact, I’ve only ever introduced her to one person, and that was the girl I dated in the tenth grade. Needless to say, it wasn’t serious.”
Roan was still hung up on the word. Boyfriend. He liked the sound of it. Especially when Seg said it. It was strange, yet it filled him with a weird sense of … hope.
“Boys! Dinner’s ready!”
And just like that, the hope disappeared and terror surged through Roan’s veins. Thankfully, Liam chose that exact moment to stir from his spot on the couch between him and Seg. Roan turned his full attention to the baby, trying to regulate his breathing. It would suck if he passed out right about now.
“I hear that baby.”
Roan glanced up as Deb was heading toward them, her eyes locked on Liam. She instantly started talking to him, cooing and smiling. Roan shot a quick look at Seg, noticing the man was still watching him.
“You boys go on in there and get some food. I’ll be along in
a minute.”
Forcing himself to his feet, Roan prayed he wouldn’t fall over.
“Does he have a diaper bag?” Deb asked.
Before Roan could head over to get it, Seg held him back with a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Kitchen.”
Okay, so clearly Seg could see Roan’s distress. He hated that he couldn’t hide it better, but the truth of the matter was he had no idea how to react in a situation like this. Being in a committed relationship was so far outside his realm of experience Roan wasn’t even sure how to act.
Once in the kitchen, Roan took a deep breath and planted his palms on the counter to steady himself. He was attempting to rein himself in when he felt warm hands on his back. He turned, coming face-to-face with Seg.
“I’ve waited long enough.”
Roan was processing Seg’s words when the man leaned in and kissed him. It wasn’t a quick, chaste kiss either. This one sparked a flame inside Roan’s gut, and he grabbed Seg, jerking him closer. This was more like it. For whatever reason, he could easily get lost in Seg’s kiss.
“Ahem.”
Seg smiled against Roan’s mouth before pulling away. Roan’s face flamed with heat as he did his best to make eye contact with Seg’s mother. It wasn’t easy. Didn’t matter that she was smiling either.
Half an hour later, the three of them were still sitting at the table. Deb was holding Liam in her lap, bouncing him gently while she regaled Roan with stories of Seg as a child.
“No matter what we did, we could not convince him that sleeping with his hockey stick would not improve his game.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” Seg asked, taking a sip of his water. “I might’ve never made it into the NHL if I hadn’t done that.”
Deb grinned. “I doubt that’s true, but we will never know.” She turned her attention to Roan. “Do your parents live close?”
Roan swallowed. “My dad and stepmother do.”
Her eyebrows lifted as though waiting for him to provide more information.
“I … uh…” Roan glanced at Seg briefly before turning his attention back to Deb. “I haven’t seen my mother since I was a teenager. She left and never came back. Not even to visit.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” Deb stated. “Whatever her reason, she’s the one who missed out.”
Harmless (Pier 70 Book 4) Page 17