Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,88

dishes and he did discuss a few of the particulars of what would happen if he did take the offer from the Venom. “I’d have to decide, sign, and leave pretty much right away. The Venom are definitely going to earn a playoff bid, but other than that, I have no idea how long I’d be there before I could come home for the summer.”

Micah nodded, wiping the table off with a sponge and a paper towel. He supposed it was something that Daniel would be there for the summer, even if he was gone for the rest of the spring. “What did Tabby say?” he asked, curious.

“Haven’t told her yet.”

Micah was surprised by that. He figured Tabby would be the first person Daniel talked to. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.” He finished with the last of the dishes and put them away. “Even if I do take the offer, I know she’s not going to move back, she told me when I decided to come here that this was a permanent move for her. I know she’s glad to have my parents around to help out with the kids, and she wouldn’t want to uproot them again.”

Micah just nodded, unsure what to say.

Daniel took his hand and tugged him along into the living room. “Micah, I—I guess I need to ask. Is this it? If I take the deal, are we—are we over?”

Micah opened his mouth, intending to say of course not—he felt like he did when he was thirteen, when Danny sat in his living room and told him my parents are moving us to Chicago so I can play hockey, but it’s okay. We’ll still be best friends, Micah.

But they hadn’t stayed best friends. Time and distance did what time and distance do, and made them strangers. Of course, they weren’t thirteen anymore, and staying in touch wasn’t that hard. Atlanta wasn’t that far. Things could be worse, but they could definitely be better. He’d worried about this, and it was happening, but there was nothing to be done now but face it and move on.

“I’m not gonna just give up on us,” Micah said, slowly. He gave Daniel a searching look. “I love my job, Daniel. It’s something that I’ve worked hard for, and I know you get that—hell, you probably get that more than anyone else I’ve ever met, let alone dated.”

Daniel nodded. “Sure.”

“I beat out thousands of applicants just for an interview. This is one of those jobs you dream about having and never think you’re gonna get. Just like, hey, playing hockey and winning the Stanley Cup.”

Daniel smiled, but briefly. “Right. The Dolphin Cup.”

“But there aren’t a lot of jobs for me outside of here,” Micah said. “Or, maybe there are, but this one is the one I’ve wanted since we were kids.”

“Micah, hey,” Daniel said gently, squeezing his hand. “I’m not asking you to move. I wouldn’t do that. I know how important your job is to you.”

Micah nodded. “I know you do. And I don’t love the idea of a long-distance relationship, but I love you. I’m not good with uncertainty and you know that, but I’m definitely not good with losing you, so. I guess I’ll rack up some frequent flyer miles, if I have to.”

Daniel snorted. “Frequent flyer miles.”

“Shut up.” Micah laughed a bit. “I’m just trying to be honest, okay?”

“Yeah.” Daniel nodded. “I know. And I appreciate it. It helps to know that you’re not going to just end things if I decide to take the offer. But there’s another option, too.”

“You should lead with that one, next time,” Micah said, pressing a hand to his forehead. “Honestly.”

“Sorry,” Daniel said, a little sheepish. “I could retire.”

Blinking, Micah stared at him. “Like, be done playing?”

“Yeah, that’s what retire means, aren’t you the one with all the degrees?”

Micah scowled, but he waved a hand. “You’re in your thirties.”

“That’s when most players retire,” Daniel pointed out. “I wasn’t going to play that much longer here, so it’s a few years ahead of schedule, but...it means I don’t have to move.”

Micah took Daniel’s hand in his. “It also means you don’t get to do what you love. And I meant it, before, when I told you that you shouldn’t give up your dream job for anyone else—even me. I promise I will find a way to make it work, okay? I won’t leave you, and I won’t let you give up hockey for me, this isn’t a movie.”

“I know, but listen, maybe I don’t have