Page 100 of Home Ice

“That would be a no.”

Hawke backs toward the door. “You’ll be okay to find your way downstairs?”

“Of course.” Kasen holds up his phone. “This thing has a compass.”

Hawke huffs but doesn’t reply, just steps into the hall and closes the door behind us. “Little smart-ass.”

“Yeah …” I follow him, and it’s not lost on me how relaxed Hawke looks in his own place. “I wonder where he gets that from?”

“Carly. He sounds exactly like Carly. Even he said so.”

“He’s definitely smart like her, but I don’t remember her ever being an ass. That was all you.”

He laughs and shoves me. “It wouldn’t kill you to occasionally support my delusions.”

“Judging by your house, I think you’re okay for support.”

He hums, tilting his head to the side. “Quick question: did my son just give us permission to fuck? That’s … weird, right? I know I’m not experienced at the parenting thing, but even I know that’s weird.”

“It is, but I think he was trying to let us both know he’s okay with something going on between us. How did he even know?”

“Beats me. When he found out I’m bi, he made the assumption, and I said it wasn’t his business.”

“Huh. So you told him.”

“I didn’t—” He cuts off as he thinks his words over. “Okay, I think I did.”

We reach the downstairs living room with the arched windows that stretch three stories and overlook the pool. This place is mind-blowing to me, and it’s not even about the size, just that it feels … good. Everything has a place. Everything is neat and tidy. Calm. Like it’s reaching out and settling my constantly vibrating cells.

“I like it here.”

“You do?” he asks like he’s latching onto my words.

“Yeah. Obviously, it’s amazing and big and expensive and whatever, but …”

“But?”

“It makes me want to breathe. And be still. Like, that couch over there is calling for me to lie down and … do nothing. I can’t remember the last time I felt like that.”

“Then do it. We can have a swim in the pool. Maybe watch a movie later. We don’t have to go anywhere.”

“Actually, we do,” comes Kasen’s voice from the door. He steps forward, showing off his suit that barely fits over his shoulders and is about two inches too short. “I swear I thought this fit me. If we don’t have time to get another one, I can stay home tomorrow. It’s okay.”

“You’re not staying home,” Hawke says like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “I know a place. We can go buy something now, and they’ll have it tailored by tomorrow.”

“Tailored?”

“If I’m buying you a suit, it’s going to be a good one.”

“You don’t have to buy⁠—”

“Yeah, I do. But also, I want to. Now, go and get out of that. It’s physically hurting me to look at you.”

Kasen huffs before leaving, and Hawke sends an apologetic look my way.

“Rain check on the swim?”

“For you, maybe. You can both go shopping. I plan on staying right here.”