It had taken a little effort, but Seg had Roan's address. He knew where the man lived, but he hadn't had the guts to go see him yet. He considered waiting until tomorrow, going to the marina instead. But that was Roan's place of business, and Seg had no intention of causing the guy any problems. He merely wanted a chance to say how he felt.
"See you at practice tomorrow, Seg," Kaufman called out as he headed down the hall.
"Yeah."
He should probably go home and get some sleep so he wasn't dead on his feet tomorrow, but he'd had enough. No more running from what he wanted. If the world found out about him, so be it.
His phone rang as soon as he got in the Range Rover. He hit the Bluetooth button to engage the call.
"Hey, Ma," he greeted, trying to be cheerful but failing.
"You okay, Seggy? How's your hand?"
He sometimes wondered how his mother noticed everything.
"It's good," he assured her. Yeah, his middle finger on his right hand was broken, but the trainer had wrapped it, which was the best he could do. Being that he was left-handed, it wouldn't be nearly as difficult to deal with as it could've been.
"Is it broken?"
"Yeah, but it's good, Ma. Promise."
"I was thinking I'd come down and stay for a couple of weeks at the end of January. I didn't get to see you enough at Christmas."
"I'd like that," he told her, and it was true. Although he'd managed to get home for two days at Christmas, he hadn't seen her since late October when they'd had games in Ontario and Calgary. Seg always made a point to visit her when they were in Canada, and he always looked forward to the times she came to visit him.
"Good. Okay, then. If you need to talk, you know my phone number."
Seg didn't say anything for a minute. He wanted to talk to her now, but he wasn't sure what he could say.
"Seggy? Are you really okay?"
"No, Ma. I'm not," he admitted, still sitting in his SUV in the arena parking lot.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not really." It was the truth. He'd rather talk about anything else.
"Does it have to do with that woman you were seeing?"
Seg sighed. "No, Ma. I told you, the women I've dated … they're only friends."
"I get the feeling that's true," she said, her voice soft, understanding.
He wondered if she knew.
"But there is someone?" she probed.
"There is," he admitted.
More silence followed, and Seg desperately wanted to get the courage to tell his mother, but he couldn't seem to find the words.
"Seggy, do me a favor."
"Sure."
"Breathe." Her voice was soft, soothing, the same way it'd been his entire life. "Stop for a moment and simply breathe. The choices that you need to make aren't as difficult as you think. I've never been prouder of you in my life. You deserve happiness in every aspect of your life. And if your next decision is what makes you happy, honey, then I say go for it. Do what's right for you, because you're the only person who can make that choice. I'm here if you want to talk."
Seg felt his chest constrict. His mother had always been his rock. Her support was steadfast, unwavering, and that was something that had never changed throughout his life. "Thanks, Ma."
"I love you, Seggy."
"Love you, too."
When his mother disconnected, Seg sat in the parking lot and considered her words. He could do this. He would do this. Nothing was going to change until he decided to make that change.
And he was ready.
More than ready.
AFTER PICKING UP LIAM FROM Cam's, Roan went straight home. He took the time to bathe his son, watching the little boy grin and coo in the warm water. Liam was picky when it came to baths. Sometimes he loved them, others not so much. Tonight was a good night, though, and now his son was clean, fed, and sleeping soundly in his bed.
Roan knew he should probably get some sleep, too, but he was too keyed up to close his eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about Seg's threat to come by. No way could the man just show up. Seg had no idea where Roan lived, but he still worried.
Not because he didn't want Seg to show up on his doorstep and insist that Roan stop hiding either. It would probably be the best thing that ever happened to him. Sure, Seg would probably turn right back around and run out the door when he saw the baby swing in the living room or the package of diapers sitting on the kitchen table. Roan knew Seg didn't have a clue what he was getting himself into, but in the same regard, Roan was tired of hiding.
He'd spent a year and a half hiding from everyone. It started when he'd mistakenly informed his best friend he was in love with him. Then he spent months trying to protect Cassie from herself, and during all that time, he'd alienated himself. For his entire life, he'd thrived on his friendships. He wasn't a loner, didn't do well being alone. And though he had Liam, the loneliness was still there, still gnawing at him.