Changes Coming Down
Page 29
“Scott, it’s good to hear your voice. I’m so sorry you didn’t win.”
He almost said “win what?” Oh, yeah, the Calder. “I didn’t expect to. Just thrilled to have even come close.”
“That’s what Dad said. Not a rookie in a thousand would’ve made the finalists without a full season.”
“Dad may be a bit biased.” He swallowed hard. I hope he stays that way. “Mom, I’ve got something I want to talk to you and Dad about, and I’d like to do it on Skype. On my tablet. Would that be okay?”
“Huh? Sure. Your Dad’s right here finishing breakfast.”
“Let me get set up and I’ll call you back.”
“Is something wrong, son? Can we help?”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “No, Mom, something’s really right. Back in a minute.” He tapped out of the call, took a breath, and dredged up a smile for Casey. “You guys ready for show and tell?”
“Tell us what you want.”
Will nodded.
“Let me get the tablet. Maybe we can sit on the…” He glanced around the room. Sitting on the bed felt like rubbing his folks’ noses in the wrong part of his relationship. “The couch?” It was more of a loveseat, too narrow for three.
Casey sat down on one of the arms. “Sure.”
Scott dug the iPad out of his bag and sat on the seat beside Casey, squinting up at him. “Establishing the high ground, Marine?”
“Always.” Casey ruffled Scott’s hair.
“Dammit, I spent ten minutes styling that.”
Will perched on the edge of the seat beside him. “It looks fine.” He nudged Scott with his knee.
“Right.” Scott blew out a breath. “Here goes.” He called Mom. When she answered, her face and Dad’s were side by side, like they’d pushed their chairs together at the table.
“Hi, son,” Dad said. “Well done. Great end to your first NHL season.”
“Thanks.” He tipped the iPad a bit more, hoping that Casey was in the frame. “You remember Will and Casey, right?”
“Of course. Hi, boys. Did you travel up there to see Scott at the awards?”
“Yes, sir,” Casey said.
“That’s awful nice of you both. Isn’t it hard to get away from the ranch in the summer?”
Will said, “We’ve got good ranch hands who can take over for a few days.”
“Well, everyone should get some vacation. Are you checking out the casinos while you’re there?”
“Not really,” Casey said. “We’re not much for gambling.”
Mom said, “Scott, what did you want to tell us? Is the ranch having problems?”
Dad said, “Now you’re earning an NHL salary, you can probably get a loan on the expectation, if you need one.”
“It’s not about money.” Scott paused. He’d rehearsed coming out to his folks a thousand times, ever since he figured out in high school that he really wasn’t bi, and he was never bringing home a nice girl to give them grandkids. The imaginary scenario had changed when he met Casey, and then Will, but it had always started with four simple words. “Mom, Dad, I’m gay.”
…
Look for the rest of Scott, Casey, and Will’s story spring 2020.
About the Author
I get asked about my name a lot. It’s not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname. I was born in Montreal but I’ve lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, sci-fi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller The Rebuilding Year and Rainbow Award “Best Mystery-Thriller” Tracefinder: Contact.
I’m always pleased to have readers find me online at:
Website: https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
Goodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4769304.Kaje_Harper
Other Books by Kaje Harper
Self-Published/Indie:
Tracefinder: Contact (Tracefinder #1)
Tracefinder: Changes (Tracefinder #2)
Second Act
The Family We’re Born With (Finding Family #1) – free novella
The Family We Make (Finding Family #2)
Rejoice, Dammit
Unfair in Love and War
(in the charity anthology Another Place in Time)
Not Your Grandfather’s Magic
(in the charity anthology Wish Come True)
Don’t Plan to Stay
Love and Lint Rollers
Changes Going On (coming in 2020)
Audiobook:
Into Deep Waters
(Narrated by Kaleo Griffith)
The Rebuilding Year
(Narrated by Gomez Pugh)
Re-releases:
The Rebuilding Year (Rebuilding Year #1)
Life, Some Assembly Required (Rebuilding Year #2)
Building Forever (Rebuilding Year #2.5)
Sole Support
Gift of the Goddess
From MLR Press:
Life Lessons (Life Lessons #1)
Breaking Cover (Life Lessons #2)
Home Work (Life Lessons #3)
Learning Curve (Life Lessons #4)
Unacceptable Risk (Hidden Wolves #1)
Unexpected Demands (Hidden Wolves #2)
Unjustified Claims (Hidden Wolves #3)
Unsafe Exposure (Hidden Wolves #4)
Storming Love: Nelson & Caleb
Full Circle
Where the Heart Is
Ghosts and Flames
Possibilities
Tumbling Dreams (in the anthology Going For Gold)
From Dreamspinner Press:
Fair Isn’t Life
Free series stories:
And To All a Good Night (Life Lessons #1.5)
Getting It Right (Life Lessons #1.8)
Compensations (Life Lessons #3.5)
Unsettled Interlude (Hidden Wolves #1.15)
Unwanted Appeal (Hidden Wolves #2.5)
Can’t Hurt to Believe (Into Deep Waters #1.005)
Stand-alone free novels:
Into Deep Waters
Nor Iron Bars a Cage
Chasing Death Metal Dreams
Lies and Consequences
Laser Visions
Stand-alone free short stories:
Like the Taste of Summer
Show Me Yours
Within Reach
A full list and links can be found at:
http://www.kajeharper.wordpress.com/books/