“Fine.” Despite the headache pounding in his skull.
“Even a lot of professionals would have been down longer than you after a hit like that. I hope you get yourself checked out.”
“I will, sir.”
“Good, good. I don’t want to delay your treatment too long, but I just thought I should let you know I was here watching. You have doubters in my ranks, Mr. Montgomery.”
“Doubters?”
“People who think you’re more drama than your talent warrants. But my colleagues put too much emphasis on tabloid articles. Me, on the other hand, well, I always believe there’s another side to any story. What I saw here tonight was special.”
A hand landed on Kenny’s shoulder, a grip he’d recognize anywhere. Kyle eyed Anders. “Anders, you know you’re not supposed to talk to the boy without his advisor.”
“That’s not a real thing, Kyle. Maybe, loosen the reins a bit when you realize you have a special one here.”
“Hello.” Kenny closed his eyes, recognizing that voice. Could this get any worse? His mother went on. “I’m Kenneth’s mother.”
“Mrs. Montgomery.” Mr. Johansson smiled. “Your son is very talented. The New York Islanders have our eye on him.”
“New York?” Her brow furrowed. He knew what his mom thought of the city. She claimed it was nothing more than a hotbed for liberal immorality.
Luckily for him, she kept her mouth shut. Kenny would feel lucky no matter which NHL team drafted him. He could love living anywhere as long as his parents weren’t there. His favorite team was the Blue Jackets, yet they were the only team he didn’t want to play for because it was too close to home.
Mr. Johansson turned to him. “You’ve committed to Boston College next year, right?”
“He has.” It was Kyle who answered. Apparently he was Kenny’s mouthpiece.
“That’s a very good hockey program. Many of our prospects have been through it.” He stuck out his hand. “Good luck, Kenny.”
Kenny shook his hand. “Thank you for coming, sir.”
Mr. Johansson tapped the side of his head. “Get yourself checked out.”
After he was gone, Kenny’s mom dropped her fake smile. She didn’t tell him why she was there or even mention the game at all. “I’m famished.” She turned to Kyle. “Dinner?”
“Of course. I know just the place.” He patted Kenny’s shoulder. “Good game, kid. I’m proud of you.” At least someone was.
As they walked away, Kenny sighed. Sure, he’d find his own way to the hospital. No problem. Who needed a mom to do things like that? Oh right, most teenagers.
She hadn’t even asked if he was hurt.
Most of his teammates had cleared out by the time he returned to the locker room. He winced in pain as he showered and packed up his bag. He didn’t want to bother Coach so he’d have to call a car to take him to the hospital, but all he wanted to do was go home and sleep.
As he stepped out onto the sidewalk outside the arena, he froze. Sitting on a bench nearby were Wylder and Killian. They jumped up when they saw him approach.
“How are you feeling?” Wylder’s normal anger was nowhere to be found as she looked him over.
“Just kind of sore.”
Killian took his bag. “Come on. You need to get checked out.”
“Did you guys wait for me?”
Killian shrugged like it was no big deal.
“You went into a dunk tank naked for me last week.” Wylder took his arm. “Least I can do is make sure you don’t die.”
He laughed. Was this what it felt like to have people who cared about him? His phone buzzed with texts, but he ignored them. If he looked at a screen, his head would only feel worse.
“I have a car on campus.” Wylder hesitated. “But you can’t make fun of me. It’s kind of a crap heap.”
“Wylds, you could drive a tricycle, and I wouldn’t have the energy to laugh at you tonight.”
When you were Kenneth Montgomery, son of the local senator, waiting in emergency rooms wasn’t something you had to do. As soon as they arrived, a nurse took Kenny back to run some tests.
When he walked back to the waiting room two hours later, he expected Wylder and Killian to be long gone, but there Wylder sat with a frown on her face and Killian’s head in her lap.
Wylder pushed Killian’s head off and stood when she saw him.
Kenny shrugged. “No concussion. Just very bruised.” Releasing a yelp, Wylder lunged at him, pulling him into a hug.
“Did you miss the bruised part?” He winced.
“Sorry.” She pulled back. “Just glad you’re okay. That hit was no joke.”
“Wylder, does this mean we’re friends?”
“No,” she scoffed.
“I think it does.”
“Definitely not. I hated you for too long.”
He’d hated himself too. “But you don’t anymore.”
Her face twisted in disgust. “I don’t want any friends at Defiance Academy.”
“Sorry.” He slid an arm over her shoulders. “I don’t think you have a choice. Waiting in a hospital for me kind of solidifies your love for me.”
“I don’t love you.”
“But you like me.”
“No.”
He pouted. “Maybe a little?”
“There’s possibly an iota of like, but only because Nicky abandoned me for Nashville.”
His eyes settled on a sleeping Killian. “Should we wake him up or leave him here?”
She laughed. “If I’m your friend, I think that means he is too.”
Kenny had known Killian for years, but they’d never exactly gotten along. Killian had an intensity that scared most people away. Were they friends now?
By the time Kenny got back to his dorm, Will was fast asleep in his room. All Kenny wanted to do was crash, but his phone rang, and he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
He knew who it was without even looking. “Hey, Nicky.”
“Finally,” Nicky huffed. “I’ve been trying to reach you since the game ended. I saw the hit.”
“How’d you see it?”
“Defiance Academy streams the games online. Are you okay?”
“Doctor says I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? It looked pretty bad. Asher and I were freaking out.”
Kenny didn’t know what to say to that. Asher watched his game?
“I bribed Asher into teaching me hockey so I can actually understand half of what you say. We were Facetiming when it happened.” Nicky sighed. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He ignored the we part. “You’re always worried.” It felt good to have another person in his corner. Wylder, Killian, and now Nicky. It made the sting of his mom’s dismissal lessen.
Nicky laughed. “Yeah, so now that I know you’re okay, I have a question.”
“I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Don’t be such a… Kenny. I checked your game schedule, you don’t have one next Saturday, right?”
“No. We have one Friday. Why?”
“Becks is playing in Cincinnati. I was going to drive up, and I’m hoping you can come so I don’t have to go alone.”
Kenny sighed. “What about Wylder?”
“She’s busy, and Avery has a school thing he can’t get out of. Come on. Help me out.”
“Coach doesn’t like us leaving campus during the season.”
“I know you, Ken. Since when does that stop you?” Desperation rang in Nicky’s voice. Kenny knew Nicky hated facing Becks’ screaming fans and rabid media at all, let alone by himself.
“Fine. I’ll come.”
“Yes! I promise you won’t regret this. It’s going to be so much fun.”
“If you say so. Now, will you let me get some sleep?”
“Of course.” Nicky laughed. “I imagine that pretty face needs extra beauty rest after the hit you took.”
Kenny touched his face. It had been spared, unlike the rest of his body. “Yeah, ye
ah, go call your pretty boy boyfriend.”
Nicky laughed. “Not when I’m tired. I need energy to counteract his weird. Night, Ken.”
“Night, Nick.”
He hung up and plugged his phone in by the bed before relaxing into the mattress, wondering what he’d just agreed to. Nothing was ever simple with Nicky and Becks. They were always up to something.
But that was a problem for another day. Right now, he was just ready for this one to be over.
14
Asher
“Try to be careful tonight.” Danny gestured for Asher to follow him down the nearly deserted hall.
“I’m always careful.” Asher glanced at the contingent of secret service agents accompanying him. There was no way anyone would get past them even if they wanted to. “Besides, there are like three hundred of you with me tonight. It’ll be fine, Super Dan.”
“You know, that was cute when you were seven. Not so much now, Mr. Funny Guy.”
“If the cape fits.” Asher shrugged.
“I still can’t believe you talked your parents into this.”
“I’m as surprised as you are. It wasn’t even my idea. Nicky invited me to Beckett’s concert, and I told him I’d ask. I didn’t expect Mom and Dad to say yes. I’m starting to think they’re worried I’m a loser.”
“You’re not a loser, kid.” Danny rolled his eyes. “I just don’t like you going to stuff like this alone.”
“But I’m not alone. I have a million chaperones—and you, Super Agent Danny.”
“You know what I mean.” Dan opened the door that lead up to the VIP private lounge. No one would even know the president’s son was attending the concert. It was just going to be Nicky and Asher. Wylder and Harper were both busy this weekend, so it was just a party of two in Cincinnati. Becks would join them after the concert. Asher probably shouldn’t be this excited, but he’d never been to a real concert. He’d only ever attended White House events, which were over the top, like everything else in Washington. This was his first normal concert, and he was way more excited than he should be. He just wished he could sit in the arena with everyone else.
“Have fun tonight, kid. You deserve this chance.” Danny knocked on the door to the private lounge. Becks was already on stage. Asher had to arrive late so he could sneak in, so he’d already missed the opening act.
“What chance?” Asher frowned. “The concert, you mean?”
“Yeah, of course.” Danny winked. “Have fun, but don’t make me regret this—and don’t make a habit of it either.” He opened the door and greeted the agents who’d swept the room before Asher’s arrival.
“All set, sir.” The agent in charge nodded to Danny and gave Asher a salute.
“All right, kid, the room’s all yours.” Danny held the door open. “We’ll be right out here if you guys need anything. Just remember, no one comes in or out until this thing is over.”
“Yeah, fine, whatever.” Asher caught a glimpse of Nicky leaning against the railing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. Black leather chairs sat just behind him in the dimly lit room. As the door shut behind him, Asher stepped across the plush gray carpet, Beck’s voice loud in his ears. Pale blue theater lights lit the floor and the ceiling, casting an iridescent glow on the room.
Nicky flipped a switch on the wall to turn the sound down. “Nicky, your boyfriend might be an idiot, but even I have to admit he’s a talented one.”
That was so not Nicky’s voice.
“Kenny?” Asher took a step closer to the front of the room. The overhead lights brightened to reveal Kenny Montgomery leaning with his back against the gold trimmed railing.
“I should have known those guys weren’t with arena security.” Kenny’s irritable laugh didn’t give Asher the warm fuzzies.
“I was expecting Nicky.” Asher crossed the room to check out the arena below. Once again, he’d give anything to be down there with everyone else and not trapped in this awkward cocoon with the very last person he’d expected to see tonight.
“Me too.” Kenny turned back to the view below.
“I guess he’ll be here soon?” Asher stood halfway across the room, trying to think of anything other than the naked picture of Kenny he still had saved on his phone.
“I think maybe we’ve been had.”
“Why?” Why would Nicky set them up like this? It wasn’t…couldn’t be a setup, setup. Asher’s heart kicked up a notch at the very idea this could be a blind date. Nope, nope, not going there.
“Nicky’s…Nicky.” Kenny sighed. “I suppose we should just enjoy the concert. There’s a ton of food and drinks back there.” Kenny pointed to the other side of the room Asher hadn’t noticed yet.
Gold-and-black leather bar stools stood behind a counter where they could enjoy the food and drinks and still watch the concert. Behind that, a buffet waited for them.
“Sounds like a plan.” Asher went to help himself. He really wasn’t hungry, but he needed a minute to prepare himself for spending a whole evening with his former best friend turned asshole.
But Kenny seemed to have the same idea. When Asher turned to get a drink, Kenny was right there, so close Asher almost dumped his plate of appetizers right on his clean white shirt. “Sorry.” Asher took a step back to a safe distance.
“I forgot how much of a klutz you are.” Kenny’s mouth pulled into a half-smile, but Asher wasn’t sure if it was mocking or…flirty. “The media shows you as this super cool fashion dude.”
Asher laughed at that. “Yeah, well, you should know better than anyone that’s all smoke a mirrors. I mean, people change. But not that much.”
“So you’re still you. That’s good to know.” Kenny popped a mini crab cake into his mouth. It was a perfect mouth, too.
Stop looking at his mouth, Ash. He walked back to the front of the room. “How much of the show have I missed?” He perched on the edge of a leather chair, positioned perfectly so he could see the stage.
“Not much. Becks just went on a few minutes before you got here.” Kenny took the seat beside him.
“You’re not his biggest fan, I take it?”
“Not especially, but I’m friends with Nicky, so I’m trying for his sake.”
“Hello, Cincinnati!” Beckett’s voice boomed through the arena after he finished his opening set. “It’s good to be home, let me hear you roar!”
The crowd went wild. Asher stood up and clapped, but there was something underwhelming about sitting in a fish bowl in the middle of so much chaos.
“It’s overrated down there. You’re not missing anything.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” Asher sat back down and pushed some of the food around his plate, too nervous to actually eat any of it.
Kenny leaned closer. “You forget, I know you, Asher Brooks. And I remember how stifling the White House was for you. I can’t imagine that’s gotten any better.”
“Definitely not.”
“It always fires me up when I get to perform so close to my hometown.” Becks continued to work the crowd. “Any of my Twin Rivers people in the audience tonight?”
Several areas of the arena went crazy with Twin Rivers fans. From the sound of it, the whole town showed up to see Beckett Anderson perform.
“I know I have lots of friends in the audience tonight. A couple of VIPs too.” Becks cast his gaze up toward the VIP lounge.
Kenny groaned, setting his plate aside. “Don’t do it, Becks.”
“He’s gonna do it, he can’t help himself.” Asher let out a real laugh, his insides finally relaxing at the look of utter embarrassment on Kenny’s face.
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” Becks continued. “You guys know my boyfriend, Nicky, right?”
The crowd went wild at the mention of Nicky’s name.
“Wow, you sure you guys are here for me?” A face-splitting grin lit up Becks’ face. “We’ve got quite a few Nickophytes in the house tonight.”
The cheering made Asher wince,
and for the first time that night, he was grateful he wasn’t down there with the fans.
“That’s right, of course, Nick-Nick’s here with me. He’s hiding, though. He doesn’t think I know about his followers. He just forgets I’m the original Nickophyte.”
He had the crowd eating out of his hands.
“If Nicky is here, then where the hell is he?” Kenny asked, looking over his shoulder like Nicky might be there right behind them.
“Nicky is working his butt off tonight behind the scenes,” Becks continued. “He’s playing matchmaker. Shhhh, I’m not supposed to tell.”
“Matchmaker?” Asher glanced at Kenny. What was Nicky up to?
“Looks like we’ve been set up,” Kenny said, propping his ankle up on his knee.
“So, to my good friends in an undisclosed VIP room in this arena, I better see some good old-fashioned smooching going on up there.” He pointed right toward them. “I’ll even set the mood for you.” Becks reached for his guitar and began to play his next number.
“I love this song.” Kenny scooted to the edge of his seat. “Just don’t ever tell him I said that.”
“Wait.” Asher shook his head. “What is he even talking about? Nicky’s trying to set us up? Like me and you…together? Like on a…date?” Asher tried to swallow, but he couldn’t seem to remember how his throat worked.
“It appears that way.” Kenny didn’t look nearly as confused as Asher.
“But…you’re not gay.” Or was he? Asher thought about some of the things he’d seen in the tabloids about Kenny, but Asher tried really hard not to give them much attention. The tabloids were always dead wrong when it came to facts.
“No, I’m not, but where have you been, Ash?” Kenny laughed. “The cat’s out of the bag. Has been for a while now, didn’t you see the media shit storm about me?”
“I stopped paying attention to the media a long time ago. I’m a lot happier if I don’t know what they say about me or anyone else I know.”
“You must have had your head stuck in the sand all summer, then.”
“I saw the photo, but all that crap about Nicky assaulting you? I know that’s not true.” There was some big hoopla about Nicky kissing Kenny, but it was so ludicrous Asher didn’t give it a second thought.
Dating Him: The Series Page 36
