"So, how's Liam? Have you checked on him?"
Roan nodded. He'd already called Cam twice tonight. Once during the first period and again after the game. Based on what Cam told him, Milly had come over to help watch him so there was absolutely nothing for Roan to worry about. Not that Roan was worried. He knew his son was in good hands. Didn't stop him from missing the little boy though.
"Have you taken him to a game yet?" Deb inquired.
"Not yet."
"That's probably for the best. Wait until he's a little older. It's cold in there."
Roan smiled, refusing to check his watch. It wasn't that he minded spending time with Deb, but he was hoping to spend a little time with Seg tonight. He was torn between running home to see Liam or sticking around for a while. The selfish side of him won out. He could easily go home later or even first thing in the morning.
It wasn't lost on him that he'd started doing the exact opposite of what he'd set out to do. Originally, he'd intended to put his love life on the back burner, dedicate every waking moment to raising Liam. Then Seg came along and he'd gotten some of his priorities mixed up.
Well, that wasn't entirely true. Roan knew what his priorities were. Liam, first and foremost. But he was trying to compromise because this thing with him and Seg was going somewhere. He could feel it. And the last thing he wanted to do at this point was miss out on what could possibly be something real and true.
"I thought Seg would be here by now," Deb said. "Do you want something to drink?"
"No, I'm good. Thank you though."
"Suit yourself." Deb yawned again. She'd been doing it for the past half hour.
Roan grinned. "You don't have to stay up for my benefit."
Deb chuckled. "Oh, thank heavens, because I'm pooped. I didn't want to seem rude."
"Not at all." Roan leaned back into the cushion of the couch. "I'll just wait for Seg."
Deb got to her feet. "Okay, then. I'll see you in the morning?"
Roan swallowed as heat engulfed his face. Once again, Debra Seguine had managed to embarrass him.
She clearly knew that she did because she giggled as she passed by. "Tell Seg I thought he was fantastic tonight."
"Will do."
"Good night, Roan. And thank you for taking me to the game and for putting up with me."
"It was my pleasure." And that was the truth. He'd had a good time with Deb tonight. The woman knew her hockey.
When Deb disappeared at the top of the stairs, Roan glanced down at his watch. He'd figured Seg would be home by now, too. A trickle of unease skated down his spine and Roan reached for his phone. He dialed Seg's number, but the call went straight to voice mail. Made sense. Seg probably turned his phone off during a game. Maybe he forgot to turn it back on.
Figuring Seg would be home shortly, Roan turned on the television and got comfortable.
Two hours later, Roan woke up in the same spot he'd been in. He glanced around to see Seg's house looked exactly the same. And no Seg anywhere in sight.
He got to his feet and yawned, stretching his back muscles. Sleeping on the couch sucked ass, especially doing it sitting up.
Roan made a quick trip to the bathroom, then peeked into Seg's room to make sure the man hadn't simply gone right to bed. The bed was still made.
He tried Seg's phone again.
"What?"
Roan's eyebrows shot upward at the rough sound of Seg's voice.
"Hey. You okay?"
"Fine."
Roan glanced around the house, confused. "Are you … uh … coming home?"
"Nope."
Roan frowned. What the fuck? "No?"
"You heard me. I'm not coming home."
"Where are you?"
"Does it fucking matter?"
Roan dropped onto the couch, phone clutched to his ear. "Actually, yeah. It does matter."
"Well, too bad. No, not you, sweetheart. You just keep that sweet little ass right here in my lap."
"What the fuck?" Roan shot to his feet, a furious growl escaping when he did.
"Sorry, man. This is the way shit goes sometimes. I stopped to grab a beer with the guys, and this cute little puck bunny found her way right into my lap. Yep, I'm talking about you, doll."
Roan couldn't help but notice Seg's words were slurring. "Did something happen, Seg?"
"Not yet. But give me another couple of beers and this cutie'll be bouncing up and down on my dick."
Roan felt sick to his stomach. The thought of Seg and someone else …
Nope. He wasn't going there.
Rather than listen to any more, Roan cut the call and raced to the bathroom. His stomach erupted violently, his chest so tight he thought for sure he was having a heart attack. It took a few minutes for his body to settle, and when it did, he washed out his mouth and went in search of his keys. Within minutes he was in his truck on his way home.