"Wake up, cuties!"

Alex's excited voice startled me awake on the bus. Fox still slept with his head in my lap, laying down across the seats.

Soon after we got banished to our hotel rooms earlier in the day, the coaches announced we would be leaving but didn't tell us anything other than that.

It was quite late, almost eleven PM when we finally made it back to the school. I could already see Dad's car waiting for Josh and me in the parking lot.

I placed my hand on Fox's cheek, moving it up to stroke his hair.

"Wake up," I said, gently tugging on his hair.

He groaned, squinting up at me. Alex leaned over the seat, putting his face in front of Fox's. Fox shoved his face away and sat up.

"That just ruined my night," Fox said, glaring over at Alex.

"You're so fucking rude, you know that?" Alex retorted with a matching glare.

I laughed at their banter, standing up and following them out of the bus. We all gathered our things and Coach Silva told us we would have a team meeting when we got back to school.

"You should come over tomorrow before Ryan's New Year's Eve party, we can go together," Fox suggested as the team dispersed. "If you're actually let out of your house."

"I don't know if my dad will let me out of his sight," I admitted with a sigh.

Fox nodded, looking down at the ground as he adjusted his bag on his shoulder.

"Hopefully I'll see you," he said, looking up at me. "I gotta go though. Ian's waiting for me."

"Yeah, my Dad's been staring at us since we got out of the bus," I told him, nodding toward the car where Dad sat with Josh beside him.

Fox looked toward the car briefly then back at me. He seemed to be contemplating something before he said one last goodbye and headed over to his car.

I sighed, wishing he would have kissed me but knowing he didn't because my Dad had been watching us. My feet dragged on the pavement as I trudged over to the car, popping the trunk and throwing my bag inside before sliding into the back seat.

"Are you alright, Elijah?" Dad asked as I put my seatbelt on.

"I'm fine," I told him truthfully.

What happened at the tournament hadn't scarred me as bad as it could have. It could have gone a lot worse. I was still relieved that it was over but I knew I was lucky it hadn't been worse.

"We'll talk more in the morning," Dad said as he started out of the parking lot. "All of us."

Josh and I shared a look but didn't say anything. Coach Silva must have called all the parents about what had gone on because Dad didn't seem surprised by the bruises on our faces.

The next morning I woke up earlier than I anticipated. Dad was already downstairs with Mindy, both of them turning to me when they heard my footsteps enter the kitchen.

Mindy instantly stood up and gave me a hug, kissing my cheek.

"I missed my boys," Mindy admitted with a smile as she pulled away. "I'm sorry you guys couldn't finish the tournament."

I just shrugged. It wasn't that I was worried about. I was more worried about this affecting the rest of the season and our chances at college hockey. I had already applied to plenty of schools near and far, but I was still hoping to sign with a team, as were the rest of the guys I was sure.

"Is it alright if I go to Fox's later?" I asked, sitting down at the table with them.

I knew Dad would worry about me the whole time I was out but Mindy always had a way of calming him down. If she was around, he would find it hard to say no to me. It was mean, but I wanted to see Fox.

"What will you guys be doing?" Dad asked.

Nothing I would want my father knowing about.

"Just hanging out at his house and then going to Ryan's later for New Year's eve," I replied, sharing a look with Mindy.

"Who's going to be at Ryan's?"

"Dan," Mindy interjected, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder. "Just let him go. I doubt either of the boys want to be here for Ava's sleepover."

I silently thanked her with a look of gratitude as Dad let out a sigh and nodded.

"I know the fight at the game wasn't your fault," Dad started. "But I worry about you. I don't want any of those stupid kids trying to do anything to you."

"It'll just be the guys at Ryan's," I assured him. "And Josh will probably be there."

I wasn't exactly sure who would be there considering Ryan was planning on throwing a party, but Dad didn't need to know that.

"And Fox?" he asked and my eyes slightly widened.

"Yeah, we're going together," I said, my voice a little higher than I intended.

"I've always liked him," Dad said to me. "He's a good friend to you." Mindy hummed in agreement, taking a sip of her coffee.

I nodded. "He is."

Knowing my father and Mindy liked Fox filled me with relief. When the time came to tell them about our relationship, at least I could be sure that they wouldn't hate him.

Ava came down the stairs a few minutes later, her hair up in a very messy ponytail with strands sticking out in every direction. Her eyes were still slightly swollen with sleep as she sat down beside me and squinted at the bruise on my face.

"Did you at least get a good punch in?" she asked me, landing a solid punch on my shoulder.

"Ow," I complained, rubbing where she had hit me.

"Ava don't hit him," Mindy scolded while Dad laughed at us.

Ava scoffed and shook her head at me, uttering a quiet, "Wimp."

"I did get a punch in," I told her with a grin. "If it matters."

She sent me a wicked smile. "Hell yeah."

"So, who's coming to your sleepover tonight?" I asked her as Mindy stood from the table to get more coffee.

"My friends," Ava replied in an irritated tone as if I had made her state the obvious.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, but who?"

"Fawn, Kenzie, Bri, Josie, and Carrie," she listed.

"I only know Fawn."

"Obviously."

It was no use waiting around for Josh to get out of bed, so the four of us ate breakfast without him. Josh tended to sleep like the dead at times and after we got in late last night, he would probably sleep for a few more hours. I had planned to do the same but my internal clock wasn't on the same page.

Once I was done with breakfast, I showered and got dressed, trying not to stare at my phone waiting for Fox to text or call. It didn't take long for my phone to ring with his name popping up.

"Hey," I answered.

"Are you on house arrest?" he asked.

I laughed. "No, are you?"

"No, come over," Fox insisted, his tone light.

"I'll be there in a little bit."

"Okay, be careful driving. I know how you are," Fox said, his tone serious.

"You're rude," I told him, to which he just chuckled. "I'll be there in ten minutes."

I hadn't even thought to ask him if he had come out to his parents yet before we hung up. I didn't have time to dwell on it as I said goodbye to my parents and drove over to Fox's house.

When I got to his house, he had opened the front door before I had even gotten out of the car as if he had been watching out the window to wait for me.

"Glad to see you made it here in one piece," Fox greeted me, stepping aside so I could enter the house. The bruises on his face were healing, but the one under his eye remained dark. It looked painful but I didn't want to bring any attention to it.

"I'm not as bad as a driver as you think I am," I told him with a pointed look. "I haven't crashed yet."

"It's only a matter of time," he retorted, leading me up the stairs and into his room.

I shook my head at him, not even bothering to respond as I sat down on his bed. Fox took that opportunity to sit down on my lap, his legs straddling my hips, and nudge me backward so that I was flat on my back. He laid his head down on my chest and my hand found its way into his hair.

"Are your parents home?" I asked, stroking the top of his hair.

"No," he mumbled against my shirt, his fingers tapping my chest. "They're supposed to be home soon though. They're getting stuff for tonight because they're having friends over."

"Did you tell them yet?" I wondered.

"No," he muttered.

"Why not?"

"I may or may not be nervous."

Fox kept his head down on my chest as he said this. I knew it was hard for him to admit his nerves since he always seemed to be so confident and sure of himself. Even though he knew his parents would love him no matter what, it didn't change the fact that this was a big deal to him and the aftermath of coming out to them scared him. That was what insecurity did to a person.

"You want me to be there when you tell them?" I guessed and his fingers went still on my chest.

"If you want to be there," Fox answered.

"I want to be there if you want me to be there."

Fox chuckled, his fingers moving to draw circles over my shirt. "Okay."

I felt him relax against me. His body wasn't as stiff and he allowed his body to mold into mine more easily.

It must have been at least an hour that the two of us stayed in that position, Fox's breathing evening out as if he had fallen asleep. I knew he hadn't because he continued moving his fingers up and down my abdomen.

Fox's head perked up a bit when we heard the front door open and close downstairs, signaling that his parents were home. I felt his body stiffen and I placed a comforting hand on his back. He sat up, his legs still on either side of my hips while I continued laying down while I looked up at him.

He sighed, standing up and holding his hand out for me to take. Fox pulled me up off the bed and started toward his bedroom door.

"Might as well get this over with," he said, opening the door and motioning for me to follow him.

He led me down the stairs and into the kitchen where his parents were currently unloading groceries together. Vanessa looked up when she heard us enter the kitchen, a smile breaking out on her face as she saw the two of us.

"It's good to see you, Elijah!" Vanessa exclaimed, walking over and giving me a hug. "I'm sorry about the tournament."

I smiled back at her and shrugged. "No need to be."

"I'm glad you boys defended yourselves," Leo added with a grin. "And each other. That's what teams do."

I just nodded while Fox didn't say anything. We stood there in silence for a few moments, Vanessa and Leo sharing looks of confusion as their son stared them down.

"Well," Fox started, clearing his throat. "I'm gay."

"What the hell?" Leo replied, a shocked expression on his face. "That was fucking random, Fox."

Vanessa slapped her husband on the shoulder. "Leo!"

"I support him!" Leo exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder. "It was just random."

"What's random?" Fawn asked as she bounded into the kitchen, throwing open the fridge and taking out some fruit.

I looked to Fox who had a slightly amused expression as his dad looked panicked, not knowing whether Fox wanted his sister knowing.

"Uh..." Leo said. "The weather?"

Fox sighed, shaking his head at his father before turning to Fawn while Vanessa glared at her husband with narrowed eyes.

"I'm gay," Fox repeated to his sister.

"I already knew that," Fawn replied, waving him off.

"What? How?"

Fawn rolled her eyes, looking toward me then back at her brother.

"You have heart eyes every time you see Elijah," Fawn pointed out. "It's not that hard to figure out."

Leo and Vanessa's mouths gaped as they seemed to be putting the pieces together in their minds.

"How did I not make that connection?" Leo asked his wife.

"We are blind," Vanessa said, a look of realization on her face.

Fox and I shared a look and he shook his head in irritation at his family.

Leo walked over to Fox and wrapped him in a hug, Fox keeping his arms at his sides.

"Hug me," Leo urged, squeezing him tighter.

"Stop," Fox grumbled.

"C'mon Fox, let us show you our love," Vanessa said, joining in on the hug.

"Get off me," he whined, looking to me for help.

I laughed at the look of discomfort on his face as his parents continued showing their affection. His parents held onto him longer, his annoyance growing by the second. A moment passed and the front door open and shut again, Raven, Robin, and Wren entering the kitchen a second later.

"What are you guys doing to him?" Robin asked, pointing at the cluster of his parents and brother in the middle of the kitchen. "You're going to hurt his already injured face."

"We're not going to hurt him with our love, Robin," Leo replied with a slightly offended expression.

"What, did he tell you he's dating Elijah so you decided to show your love like this?" Raven guessed, gesturing toward the three of them.

"What the hell?" Fox let out with a groan. "How did you even know that?"

"I'm gonna let you in on a secret, Fox," Fawn started. "The only ones who didn't notice your heart eyes were Mom and Dad."

Robin nodded in agreement. "Wren was the only skeptical one."

I noticed Wren hadn't said anything since entering the room. He stayed in the corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He and Fox shared a look before Wren turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Eventually, Fox's parents let go of him and the two of us went back upstairs. Instead of entering his room, Fox stopped by a different door and opened it.

"Knock much?" I heard Wren's voice ask.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Fox asked him. "You saw how it turned out for me, you'll be fine."

Wren came to stand in the doorway and glanced over at me before looking back at his brother.

"I figured I'd let you have your moment," Wren responded before shutting the door and leaving us out in the hallway.

Fox sighed and the two of us went back into his bedroom.

"He's so weird," Fox groaned, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his forehead down on my shoulder.

I kissed the top of his head, my hands finding their way to his back.

"So you came out to your parents," I said after a few moments of silence.

I didn't want to come out and say it, but there was something I was expecting to happen for the two of us after this. He wanted to come out to his parents before we became anything serious, and he did.

"Yeah, I did," he responded, picking his head up but keeping his arms around my waist. "Are you going to make me ask you the question?"

I chuckled, throwing my head back slightly.

"I guess not," I told him. "I just want to know what this means for us."

"I want it to mean that we can be together," Fox said, his eyes looking deep into mine. "Like in an actual relationship."

I nodded. "I want that too."

"Then I guess that's settled," he said with a shrug.

I couldn't keep myself from leaning in and placing a kiss on his mouth. He smiled into the kiss, cupping my jaw in his hand.

This feeling and this moment made all the emotional pain I went through in the last few months seem worth it. I was safe here in his arms and he was safe with me.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt true happiness.

**