Chapter 25: The Second Interview

The chairs were in the same position as the last time, and the lights were set in the same way as well.

Dex was behind the camera as usual, face hidden behind the lens and Sloane sat across from us with that tight smile that never reached her eyes.

I’d agreed to a second closed interview and I had no idea why. Maybe I agreed because running had gotten me nowhere so far, maybe because I was tired of giving Sloane nothing and watching her make that nothing into something, maybe because Cassian had told me this morning to “just be honest this one time.”

So here I was, sitting really close to Cassian again with our knees slightly brushing each other and the heat of him seeping through my jeans.

“I’m so glad to be here with The Ice Breakers once more.” Sloane said, sounding warm and professional, it was the tone she used when she wanted information. “The chemistry between you too is still strong and your fans love it.”

Cassian smiled charmingly. “I’m glad they love it, I’m always happy to entertain.”

I kept silent.

Sloane’s eyes fixed on me. “Captain Vance, any opinion on that?”

I kept my face as neutral as possible. “We’re hockey players.” I said, intentionally drifting away from the question.

“Yes, you are.” She said, leaning forward, the light catching the edge of her glasses. “I want to ask you both personal questions. You don’t have to answer but I’m curious; what do you both see when you look at each other.”

The question hung in the air.

Cassian’s smile wavered and I saw his charming mask slip for a second before it went back up. He hid his trembling hands under the table, clenching and unclenching them.

My jaw tightened and I could see Dex holding up the shot, the cameras eating up the silence.

I should deflect and say something safe, like ‘he’s my teammate and I trust him on the ice’. They were words I’d told myself a hundred times.

I looked at Cassian again, but his eyes weren’t on Sloane or the camera, they were on me; bright and nervous.

I opened my mouth to speak.

“When I look at Cassian, I see someone who pushes himself to be the best, he works harder than anyone else.” The words came tumbling out. “He’s going to be a great hockey player. He’s someone who—”

I paused to look at him again, but his eyes were still on me, he hadn’t looked away.

“He’s someone who makes me want to do better and be a better person.”

His eyes widened. “Torin.”

Sloane didn't move, neither did Dex; the camera just kept rolling.

I held Cassian’s gaze, I didn’t try to look away or hide.

“What about you, Cassian; what do you see?” Sloane’s voice was soft and careful.

He swallowed, but he still didn’t take his eyes off me.

“I see home; Torin understands me better than anyone else.”

The words hung in the air before pressing down on my chest.

His lips curved into a soft smile.

Sloane looked stunned for a moment before quickly catching herself. “Thank you both for your time and patience.”

She stood, and Dex lowered the camera; the lights went off.

————

Neither of us moved.

The crew packed up around us, Sloane made some notes and then stepped aside to make a call, Dex checked his equipment.

Cassian’s knee pressed against mine and the noise of the room faded into nothing.

“Tor?” He said quietly.

“Yeah?”

“You just said that.”

“I did.”

“In front of the camera.”

I turned to look at him, taking in his flushed face and bright eyes.

“I did.”

He exhaled shakily as his shoulders relaxed.

“You didn't run this time.”

“I didn’t.” I said with a slight smile.

He reached under the table to grab my hand and then he squeezed gently.

“That was the most honest thing you’ve ever said.”

“I know.”

He chuckled. “What happens now?”

I looked around the room, Sloane and her crew were gone; I hadn’t even noticed, all my attention had been on this bright haired boy.

“Now we wait, and see what she does.” I said.

His hand tightened.

“Are you scared?” He asked.

I thought about his face when I said those words, the way his eyes widened and how he said I was his home.

“I’m scared, but not about this interview.”

“What are you scared of then?”

I looked at him, drinking in the sight of him.

“Now that I have this with you, I’m scared of losing it.”

He pulled my hand from under the table and placed it on his lap, where anyone could see.

“You’re not going to lose this, and you’re not going to lose me.” He said with a steady voice. “I already told you I’m not going anywhere as long as this is real.”

I stared at our interlaced fingers, watching his thumb trace soothing patterns on my skin.

“What if she uses it?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Then we’ll deal with it, together; like you said.”

He smiled as he stared at me.

He leaned forward; he was close enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek.

“Tor?”

“Yes, Cassian?”

“When I said you’re my home, I meant it in every sense.”

My chest tightened. I lifted our hands to press several kisses to his knuckles.

“You’re my home too.”

He let out a breath then moved closer to rest his head on my shoulder.

We sat like that for a long moment, enjoying the silence and each other’s company.

Footsteps approached outside the door.

We didn’t move; I didn’t know who it was, and at this point, I didn’t really care.

Cassian eventually pulled back.

“I’m coming over to your apartment tonight.” He said.

“Okay.” I nodded my head. “Same time?”

“Yeah.”

He stood and pulled me up with him, not letting go of my hand.

“The next time Sloane asks.” Cassian said, “I’m not stopping at ‘home’.”

“I don’t understand.” I said, confusion coloring my tone.

He smiled seductively as he moved up to whisper into my ear.

“Next time she asks, I’ll tell her how I really feel about you.” He said, his lips brushing my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

‘Next time she asks, I’ll tell her I’m in love with you.’ That’s what my brain translated.

‘I’m in love with you.’

He hadn’t said it yet, not like that anyway.

But, he would soon.

And when he did, I’d be ready.