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“You know what I’ve never done in all my time in New York?” Scott asked as he and Kip lounged on the couch.
“What?”
“I’ve never been to Times Square on New Year’s Eve.”
Kip shifted so that he sat up, tucking a foot underneath him. “Believe me, you’re not missing anything. It’s a nightmare to get in, it’s hell to get out, and the chances of getting puked on are astronomical.”
Scott fell silent, considering that. “I think it’d be fun to try once.”
Kip eyed him skeptically and shook his head. “I’m telling you, it’s better to watch the ball drop on TV. Besides, The Kingfisher is having its own New Year’s Eve party if you really want to go out.”
Scott hadn’t been to The Kingfisher since the night he’d been invited to Kip’s birthday celebration. He’d been too damned scared to go inside, too scared of being outed.
He was still nervous about the idea, even though things were different now. “You’re sure I can’t convince you to go to Times Square?”
“Babe, you couldn’t pay me enough,” Kip told him firmly, leaning in for a kiss, “I love you, but not that much.”
Scott let out a sigh. “Fine. We’ll go to The Kingfisher.”
Kip smiled, his eyes lighting up. “We’ll have a great time, trust me. You do trust me, right?”
“Yes, of course I do,” Scott replied, “Can’t wait.”
If only he truly believed it.
The bells on the wreath that hung on the door of The Kingfisher tinkled every time the door opened and closed, and Kip looked up every time he heard the sound. Still no Scott. Kip’s heart sunk a little in disappointment.
Shawn placed a hand on Kip’s shoulder. “Honey, stop worrying. He’ll show.”
“I wish I was as confident as you are,” Kip grumbled before taking a drink of his beer.
“Well, he did say practice ran late, right?”
“Right,” Kip sighed, picking up his phone. That last text had come through almost an hour ago. Still nothing.
Despite his very public coming out months ago, Scott was still a little skittish about being seen in public with Kip. Old habits died hard, Kip supposed. It was a lot to ask of Scott to suddenly be completely comfortable with himself after hiding for so long.
Still, there were times when Kip’s patience ran a little thin.
The bells kept tinkling as more people entered the bar, and the place started to fill up with more revelers, and soon the noise of the crowd blotted out the sound of the bells. Kip had resigned himself to the possibility that Scott might not show after all.
“Is this seat taken?” A deep voice rumbled in Kip’s ear, nearly making him jump out of his skin.
Kip turned on his barstool to see Scott sitting beside him, his arm casually resting on the bar and one foot on the footrest of Kip’s stool. “It is now.”
Scott smiled, the warmth in his expression obvious as he leaned in to kiss Kip lightly on the lips. “Happy New Year.”
Kip couldn’t help laughing at that. “It’s not midnight yet.”
“I’m sure it’s midnight somewhere,” Scott countered, that amused expression never leaving his face, “It doesn’t matter, anyway. It’s not as if I’m not also going to kiss you at midnight…or any other time I have a mind to.”
“Well, I certainly won’t turn you down,” Kip told him, “Do you want a drink?”
Scott raised a hand, and Kyle sauntered down to him. “Hello, Mister MVP. What’ll you have?”
Scott gave Kyle his order, and when Kyle turned around, Scott shook his head. “Is this what it’s going to be like?”
Something clutched in Kip’s chest. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Scott gestured toward Kyle.
“Oh, now come on, he’s just teasing,” Kip replied, “Yes, you’ll get used to it.”
“He’s called me worse things,” Shawn piped up, “Anyway, it’s about damn time you made it. Kip here was losing his mind.”
Scott’s brow crinkled in concern. “I told you I’d be here.”
“I know, I know,” Kip told him, “It’s just, well, old habits die hard and all that.”
Scott reached out and stroked the back of Kip’s hand. “You have a point. But who else would I celebrate New Year’s Eve with?”
“Your teammates,” Kip pointed out.
“Believe me, I would much rather be here with you,” Scott leaned out a little, “And your…our friends.”
Shawn raised his glass in acknowledgement, and Kip had to admit he was pleased that Scott had chosen to be here. It was no easy thing for Scott, Kip knew that. These old habits would break one at a time. There was no hurry. They had the rest of their lives.
“Five…four…three…two…one…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!” Kip and Scott joined the rest of the crowd in the countdown, the streamers and confetti falling all around them as horns blew and champagne was passed around.
They each took a glass and took a drink before setting them on a nearby table. “Awful stuff,” Scott commented.
“Oh, right, I’m sure you’re used to Cristal or something,” Kip teased him.
“Actually, I don’t care for champagne,” Scott replied as he drew Kip in close, “Good for spraying around the locker room and that’s it.”
“So wasteful,” Kip gently scolded him as he slid his hands to Scott’s waist.
Scott looked down into Kip’s eyes. He could hardly believe he was here, now, with this man that had changed his life. Would he have been brave enough to come out if it weren’t for Kip? Scott wasn’t sure.
All he knew was that he was feeling braver every day, and Kip had an awful lot to do with that. He’d broken Scott’s heart when he walked away, even though Scott knew damn well he had his reasons, very good reasons. The fact that he was here now was nothing short of a miracle, and Scott had no intention of doing anything to make Kip walk away again.
“Happy New Year,” Scott murmured as he pulled Kip in close.
“Happy New Year to you, too,” Kip replied softly.
As they kissed in the middle of the crowded bar, Scott hoped there would be many more of these to come.