Asher took his seat next to Kenny, not at all in the frame of mind to answer any important questions.
But Roxie turned to Kenny instead. “Kenny Montgomery, centerman for the Defiance Academy Knights, right? I have to ask what team you’re hoping to play for after the draft?”
“Me?” Kenny sat up straight.
“Hockey’s kind of my jam, and the draft this year is going to be amazing. You know we have some great teams in New York.”
“Well, I don’t really know,” Kenny said, his ears turning pink. “I’ll pretty much play for anyone who wants me. It’s the draft, we don’t get a choice. Really, I just want to make it to the NHL.”
“But you’re going to play in college, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Boston College.”
“Ooh, that’s a great team.” Roxie’s eyes widened with excitement. “And just a quick train ride from New York. I will definitely come down to see you play sometime.”
“Thanks.” Kenny fumbled with his hands in lap. “I’m looking forward to playing in Boston.”
“We’ll all be there for your first game, Kenny,” Asher’s mom promised. “And wherever Asher decides to go to school, hopefully, it won’t be too far.” She smiled.
“I see what you did there, Nora.” Roxie sat back with a knowing smile. “That’s why I’m here, Asher. You’ll be getting an acceptance letter from Manhattan College of New Arts after the holidays, and I really hope you will accept the offer.”
“Wow, really?” Asher’s eyebrows shot up. “That was a fast decision.” He hung his head, studying the carpet beneath his feet for a moment. It always came back to this. Did he get in on his own merit or was it simply a no brainer that they would accept the president’s son to the program? The program that only accepted a mere seven percent of their applicants. Did he really even deserve the spot?
“And that look on your face is exactly the reason I’m here.” Roxie leaned forward to get his attention. “We had hundreds of applicants this year. Yours was one of the last portfolios to come in before the deadlines. We take our portfolio review seriously. But this year, we had several high-profile applicants. Very attractive applicants with wealthy parents—quite the temptation for a brand new college. We had to decide if we wanted to be like every other prestigious art school out there and take tuition payments from anyone who could afford it, regardless of their talent? Or if we wanted to stick with our mission statement to set the bar higher and choose our students based on their raw talent and design skills they can bring to our school? It was an easy decision. We needed to remove the temptation. So this year, and likely every year from now on, we opted for a blind portfolio review.
“The selection was quick and dirty. From over three hundred candidates, we whittled it down to twenty-two students for the entire incoming freshman class—and your anonymous portfolio was one of our top choices. Asher Brooks, I can tell you with one thousand percent honesty, you got in all on your own. I’m not sure any other school can make that promise.”
“Wow.” Kenny breathed. “That’s impressive, Ash.”
Asher gripped his boyfriend’s hand, grateful for his presence.
“Your work speaks for you, Asher. And you’ve got something important to say with your art. We want to help you say it.”
“Thank you, Roxie. It means so much that you came here to deliver such good news in person. I-I don’t even know what to say.”
“Well, don’t say anything yet. We want you to take all the time you need to make this decision with your family and your boyfriend.” Roxie shot a wink at Kenny. “We know you’re going to be hearing from a bunch of schools who will want you just as badly as we do. We hope you choose us, but we know it’s a big decision for any high school senior. But I also have a financial offer to go over with you.”
“Did I arrive just in time for the money talk?” Asher’s dad said as he rushed to join them. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t get the memo. Kenny?” He stopped and shook Kenny’s hand. “Good to see you hanging around this place like you used to.” He clapped Kenny on the back and turned to Roxie. “Did I hear something about a scholarship?”
“Yes, Mr. er, Former President, sir. I was, um, just getting to that.” She fumbled with the stack of papers in her lap, clearly flustered, like most women were around his charming father.
“Please, call me Ben.” He sat on the couch beside Asher.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Roxie hid behind her stack of papers. “I didn’t vote for you.” She winced. “But I did vote for Nora.”
“Eh, story of my life.” He waved her concerns off with a laugh. “She’s always been more popular than me anyway.”
“Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.”
“Scholarship?” Asher tried to steer them back on course.
“Right. Every year we award a few merit scholarships to our most promising freshmen. This year, during our blind portfolio review, every professor scored each candidate based on certain criteria. Those scores are added to the score your written application received. The scores are averaged and the top five are awarded a financial package. Asher received one of these awards. It will cover your first year at MCNA. If your performance continues to impress your teachers, you can expect to receive additional financial awards next year too.”
“Asher, I’m so proud of you.” His mother beamed. “But I’m afraid we cannot accept the financial award. We would be happy to pay Asher’s tuition, but the award should go to a student in dire need of it.”
“Yes, please,” Asher added. “I’d rather use my own college fund my grandparents set up for me.”
“I thought you might say that.” Roxie pulled another stack of papers from her briefcase. “The award is Asher’s. If refused, it will not go to another student. But perhaps you’d like to sponsor a few students through our financial assistance program instead? Your donation dollars will go much further, and you’ll be able to assist many students who really need the help.”
“That sounds like a fine idea,” his mother said.
“I’d like to pay for that with my college fund,” Asher added. “If I’m getting a scholarship, then I’d like to use at least some of my college money as a donation.”
“You’re such a good kid, Asher.” Roxie beamed at him.
A warm hand slipped around Asher’s waist, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“And these two together are too cute for words.”
Asher placed his hand over Kenny’s. It was tempting to accept the offer simply to be close to Kenny at Boston College, but Asher didn’t want to make such a huge decision based on that alone. “Well.” Asher gave him a look. “What do you think, Mr. Cutie-cute?”
“I think we need to talk about terms of endearment, babe.” Kenny’s laughter eased some of the tension in Asher’s shoulders. “But this is your decision, Ash. I’ll be in Boston either way. I’d love to have you that close, but I also want you to choose the best school for you and what you want to get out of your education.”
“How far is a train ride from New York to Boston? I need to look that up.”
“I already did.” Kenny smiled. “It’s only four hours. Long enough to do homework on the train but short enough to see each other all the time.”
Asher nodded, secretly thrilled that Kenny was thinking the same thoughts Asher was. “Considering I was pretty sure I wanted to go to MCNA back when I still thought you were an asshole, I think it’s a win-win for all of us.”
Asher caught his mother looking at her phone. “Need to get back to work, Mom?” His tone was teasing; he knew what she was doing.
“What, I wanted to know how long the train ride was to New York from here. Sue me.”
“And how long is it?” Asher’s dad asked.
“Three and a half hours.” She smiled. “The boys can come home as often as they want. I quite like this arrangement, although I’m terrified of my son living in New York all by himself.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom. It�
�s not like Super Danny isn’t coming with me.”
“I meant the takeout bills. You’re a foodie, Ash, and New York is expensive. We’re going to have to put you on a budget.”
“So, is that a yes?” Roxie clapped her hands together.
“Looks like I’m moving to New York.” Asher’s smile made his cheeks hurt, he was so excited.
“Excellent.” Roxie shot out of her seat to shake his hand. “I’m thrilled to hear it. You’re going to love our campus. You’ll be receiving all the necessary information in the mail. You can apply for your dorm assignment as early as March, and you can opt for a roommate or a private room.”
“Private room,” both Asher and Kenny said together.
“Oh that sounds like the cue for momma to leave.” Asher’s mom stood. “I do need to get back to the West Wing, but thank you so much for everything, Roxie.”
“My pleasure, Nora.
“Ben, I take it you’ll handle that conversation.” She pointed to Asher and Kenny. “Private rooms.” She shook her head. “Give him four roommates. Loud ones.”
“Why do I get all the hard conversations?” His dad looked like a deer caught in headlights.
“Because I’m the president.” She grinned as she left the room. “Congrats, Asher.” She blew him a kiss from the hall. “And, Kenny, make sure you stay for dinner. We’re going to celebrate.”
“I want to be her when I grow up.” Roxie beamed. “Okay, where were we? Dorm rooms, right. And security. Our campus security will work with secret service for whatever Asher needs while he’s a school. The fall course schedule will be available in March. That’s when you’ll need to come up to the campus for a few days and meet with your advisors to select your coursework for the semester.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Asher stood to see her off.
“I will get out of your hair now and let you get to that important Dad talk.”
“Or you could just stay for dinner.”
“Sorry, kiddo, you’re on your own. Kenny, nice meeting you. Good luck at the draft.”
“Here, let me walk you out.” Asher’s dad was quick to follow Roxie out of the room.
“Well, that just happened.” Asher fell back on the couch next to Kenny. He couldn’t stop smiling. Just a few months ago, Asher lived in a bubble all on his own, feeling like the White House was a prison he’d never escape. And now, he had this amazing future to look forward to with a great guy.
“I’m so glad you said yes.” Kenny tackled him, and they fell off the couch in a tumble of arms and legs on the floor. His lips crashed against Asher’s in a rough kiss that chased all thoughts of college and the future out of his mind. This moment was all that mattered.
Asher’s hands slid through Kenny’s silky brown hair as Kenny’s hands inched slowly up the back of Asher’s shirt. Their kiss slowed, deepening as Asher’s heart tried to pound out of his chest. He finally broke away, taking a deep breath. “I don’t have anything to compare that to, but that has to the most amazing kiss ever.”
“No contest.” Kenny kissed him again. “Every kiss with you is the best ever.”
“That’s a good line, keep that one in your repertoire. It’ll work on me every time.”
“It’s not a line.” Kenny’s teeth grazed along Asher’s neck before he finally pulled away. “I’m serious, Ash. It’s never been like this with anyone else for me. Not even close.”
“Me either.” Asher grinned, feeling like he got it right the first time.
“We have college plans.” Kenny draped his arms around Asher, and they quickly returned to the snuggle bubble.
“We do. That happened so fast I can’t even think. But that’s probably more from all the kissing.” Asher turned to face him. “I’m proud of us. We’re each pursuing our passions and doing our own thing, but we get to keep this too.” He raised his hand for a fist bump. “Go us.”
Kenny’s laughter vibrated in his chest, but he met Asher’s fist bump. “You’re too adorable, babe. Don’t ever change.”
“All right, guys. I had to ask Google first, but I think it’s time for that talk.” Asher’s dad stared down at them with an amused smile on his face.
23
Kenny
Six Months Later
The biggest day of Kenny’s life came, and he couldn’t seem to move his feet. His eyes scanned the arena he’d been in many times before. Fans filled Nationwide Arena to the brim for the NHL draft.
They crowded into the outer concourse and stood in lines to get their picture with the Stanley Cup.
Kenny stood near the announcer’s desk right outside his section and focused on the men huddled around tables on the arena floor. Excitement buzzed through the building. On this day, many dreams would come true.
Day one of the draft would only see first round choices made. If they didn’t pick Kenny, he’d come back for rounds two through seven tomorrow.
But he didn’t want to come back.
The scouts below knew who he was. He’d been through the scouting combine and the many many interviews. They knew his story, a story that would take on another life as soon as his name was called.
A hand slipped into his clammy palm, and he turned to see Asher smiling at him.
“You ready for this?”
Was he? Kenny took a deep breath. “I think I am.”
Asher squeezed his hand. “No. No thinking. This is the day your dreams come true, Kenny. Be ready for it.”
“How do you have so much faith in me?”
Asher’s brow arched. “Not faith, Kenny. I love you and as the man who loves you, I get to peer into your future.”
Kenny laughed. “Oh, really? And what does this future look like?”
“One day, an entire arena will be chanting your name. And do you know what you’ll be doing?”
“What?”
“Thinking about me.”
Kenny threw his head back and laughed. “Naturally.”
Asher glanced at his phone. “Wylder, Nicky, and Becks are watching the draft on TV and they’re all texting me incessantly to see how you’re holding up.”
“Why don’t they text me?”
“Nicky won’t let them distract you. Not today.”
Kenny grinned. His friends were more supportive than he could have imagined. He thought back to when he’d become friends with Nicky again and had to teach him the hockey basics. Wylder didn’t care to learn the rules, but she still watched him.
And who knew what Becks thought about all of this?
Releasing Asher’s hand, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Thanks for coming.”
Asher looked up at him. “You think I’d ever miss this?”
Kenny couldn’t help himself. He kissed his boyfriend right there in front of everyone. If any of the scouts or GMs looked to the balcony, they’d see him. But Kenny realized a long time ago if a team didn’t want him because of who he was, they weren’t the ones for him.
And if that meant he fell to the second round, so be it. Hockey was important to him, but it wasn’t all of him.
He led Asher to their section. Danny and a few other secret service followed closely. They’d gotten much better at giving them a little space in recent months.
Albert McCullen waved from his seat, beckoning them to him. He grinned. “I forgot how exciting the draft is. I haven’t had an amateur client in years.”
Kenny sat next to him. He’d gotten to know the older man quite a bit and liked him. They definitely had a future together. Hopefully. If Kenny was even drafted.
He rubbed his face as his thoughts ran wild with every scenario. He’d pored over draft rankings, seeing himself anywhere from thirteen to forty-five. Yet, part of him waited for it all to fall apart.
Maybe that was residual fallout from everything with his mom. He’d talked to her once since she left six months ago, and it hadn’t gone well.
His dad was a different story. They were trying.
The commissioner gave his sp
eech and then started calling teams up to make their choices. They went through the song and dance of giving jerseys and getting pictures. Number thirteen passed by, and before Kenny knew it, they’d reached twenty.
“Who has twenty-one?” Kenny asked.
Albert glanced at his list. “Washington.”
“How ridiculous would it be if you ended up in Washington after I left it?” Asher laughed.
Kenny only shook his head. Whoever drafted him probably wouldn’t want him to compete for a spot for at least a year or two. He was going to Boston College no matter what.
Albert stared at his phone. “There’s a rumor Columbus is trying to trade to get another first round pick so they can take the Ohio boy.”
Kenny tried to suppress any excitement. Playing for the Jackets would be a dream.
Albert’s phone rang as Washington drafted a goalie.
He grinned as he hung up. “Welcome to the NHL, kid.”
“What?” Kenny only stared at him.
“That was the GM of the New York Islanders. They’re going to go up there as soon as Washington is done and take you with the twenty-second pick.”
“The Islanders?” New York? Where Asher would undoubtedly want to be after college.
Commotion came from the end of the row as people stood to let someone through.
“Sorry. Excuse me.”
Kenny recognized the voice, but his mind continued to work furiously. An NHL team was going to call his name.
“Asher,” the voice said.
“Senator.” Asher stood and moved a seat away. Kenny wanted to call him back, but then his dad dropped into the seat.
“I’m not too late, am I?”
“You came.” Kenny’s voice was no more than a whisper.
He smiled, a new look over the last few months. After torpedoing his standing among his conservative base, it was like a darkness had been lifted from his dad. “Of course, I came, son. This day—”
His words were cut off as Kenny’s name boomed across Nationwide Arena. “From the Defiance Academy Knights, the New York Islanders take Kenneth Montgomery with the twenty-second pick.”
Dating Him: The Series Page 44
