Neutral Zone Trap - Bianca Sommerland Page 0,47

believed it once, but having Braxton around proved he could be adaptable. Willing to compromise. Be spontaneous and find joy in all the little things that had passed him by before.

Sighing, he tossed his bag of takeout on the coffee table, turning on the TV before he sat, the station already set to the game. He relaxed onto the sofa, smiling a bit at the sound of skates on ice. Recognized several of the players from interactions over the years. Some closer than others, like Tyler Vanek and Raif Zovko, both in a polyam relationship with Laura and Chicklet. There’d been some ups and downs, but his sister seemed happy now, so he didn’t question the complexity. Tyler was a handful, but Raif and Chicklet managed him well enough. And the young man brought some fun into Ryan’s sister’s life.

She deserved that. She deserved what all of them gave her.

Gaze scanning the screen, Ryan went through his usual routine of searching for Braxton. His boy wasn’t on the ice yet. Frowning, he sat forward, checking out the players still on the bench. Usually, Braxton was one of the first out there. He didn’t get long shifts like the higher ranking players, but he was starting to be used more often on the penalty kill, which he’d been excited about. And being on the bench for most of the game meant he took every opportunity to stretch his legs.

The screen switched to the announcers without Ryan spotting Braxton. He took a big bite of his burger, hardly tasting it as he listened to them go on about expectations for the night. Players being called up last minute because of injuries, but Braxton wasn’t mentioned.

Then one of the male sports reporters held up his hand. “Just coming in, we have another player out of the lineup. This appears to have been a game time decision by the team doctor. We’ll share more details as soon as we have them.”

As the chatter continued on to other things, Ryan couldn’t hear a single word. He set down his burger and pulled out his phone, checking to see if he’d missed Braxton’s call. Nothing. Shaking his head, he opened the can of rootbeer that had come with his meal, already dialing. When Braxton didn’t answer, he called Laura.

Her tone was cheerful as she answered. “Hey! I hope you’re calling just for the hell of it, and not because you want me to cancel your visit to see Mom and Dad this weekend for you, because it’s not happening. They’ve been planning this for months.”

“No, it’s not that…” Ryan had been looking forward to seeing their parents. He’d planned to tell them about Braxton. And...well, the fact that he was gay. He didn’t see it being a huge issue, more them being concerned that he hadn’t told them sooner. With the hell Laura had been through with her birth mother, it had seemed ridiculous to act like his sexuality was even something that needed to be addressed.

Avoiding the subject at work had also led to avoiding it in general, but that was a bit harder to explain. Still, of all people, Laura would probably be hurt that he hadn’t confided in her.

He took a deep breath. “I wanted to know if you’d heard anything about what’s going on with Braxton. He’s...out of the lineup.”

There was a long silence. “Braxton...Richards? As in the hockey player?”

“Laura—”

“No, give me a second, I’m trying to understand why in the world this would be on your radar.” Laura’s voice tightened a bit. “Since when do you care about the games, or the players, or… Ryan…”

Damn it, this wasn’t how he should be telling her, but he’d waited too long. And he needed to know what was happening with Braxton, not spend half the call beating around the fucking bush. “I’m gay, Laura. I’ve been seeing him...hell, it’s been a couple of months now, but it started...a while ago. I wasn’t sure how to tell you—I knew I could, it’s just…”

Laura exhaled roughly. “Wow, my big brother, not sounding sure of himself for once. You’ve got it bad. I can’t even be upset.” She let out a soft laugh. “I should’ve suspected something when he was getting my number from Tyler to talk to you.”

“He’s too young, I know.” Ryan rubbed his hand over his mouth, expecting the lecture, logic not really kicking in. Tyler wasn’t that much older.

This time, Laura chuckled. “He’s an adult and he clearly knows exactly what—and who—he