Chapter 98 98: A Free Man
They couldn't hide forever. Five minutes later, Baby stepped onto the ice. The cold air hit his face, a brutal reminder of the world he still had to conquer.
Practice was a nightmare of "Perfect Synergy".
Saint wouldn't meet Baby's eyes, yet he moved with him in perfect, haunting synchronisation.
During a high-speed passing drill, Saint's hand brushed Baby's glove. It was a sterile, professional contact, but Baby felt the rejection in the way Saint pulled away instantly.
Mike Thorne stood at the boards, his eyes narrowed as he watched the two Captains. He didn't see the heartbreak; he saw two machines functioning with terrifying, cold efficiency.
"Good," Thorne shouted, his voice echoing in the rafters. "That's the 'Unified' front the THC wants. No emotion. Just results. Keep it up, and you'll be untouchable."
Baby felt a sick twist in his stomach. He was getting exactly what he asked for—safety and success—and it felt like a slow-acting poison.
On the other side of the boards, Nickel stood with his baseball hat, watching with narrowed eyes as the two captains played too perfectly.
He knew his boys better than that THC replacement, and he could tell that something was wrong. Something that, if not tackled now, might implode on them later.
But, for now, he would stay on the sideline watch carefully until he needed to step in.
After the practice, Cam hurried over and left with Baby.
They ate out and returned to Cam's apartment where Baby took a little nap due to his sleepless night.
When he woke up, he found Cam staring at him from the foot of the bed.
"I hate to see you hurting," Cam murmured.
"I hate to see him hurting," Baby sighed, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.
Cam slowly approached sensing that Baby was in a better mood to talk.
"Then stop hurting him. Stop hurting yourself," Cam said, sitting on the bed.
Baby shook his head, "He hates me now –"
Can scoffed, "Who? Saint?" He chuckled.
"I hate to say this, you know how much I don't like the guy. But, that dude? He's whipped for you. I bet if you asked him to drop his career and choose you, he'd do it in a heartbeat," Cam groaned, "I kinda envy what you found, Baby... don't let that idiot slip away from you because of some fucking Sloane and your parents."
Cam smiled, placing his hand on Baby's knee, "You're not going to be the first to live in secret, Baby. It might surprise you just how many couple are secretly living their lives together and still making memories. A relationship is about two people, well, three in some cases. But, my point is that when the time has passed and you look back at your life, you smile because in every meaningful memory, you have your special person in it." He explained.
Baby was quiet, staring at the wall blankly.
"Don't let me be the only constant in your memories, Baby. A time will come when I won't be as available as I am now. I, too, long to find my special person. I want you to be happy, Danvers. Go to Saint, talk with him. I kinda miss seeing you guys secretly flirt with each other," he sighed, raking his red hair.
"I can'l never ask him to drop his career for me," Baby whispered, still staring at the wall.
"Uhm, that was just an example, Baby. You don't have to do that. In fact, none of you should have to lose anything to be with each other. You can be yourselves and still be together," he hurried to elaborate, hoping he hadn't caused more damage where he intended damage control.
"I don't want to stay on shadows all my life, Cam. All my life, I might seem to be seen, but, in reality, I've been living in the shadows. People don't know the real me, my parents don't, friends don't –"
Cam cleared his throat and raised a disagreeing brow.
"Excoet you, Cameron. My point is... I've already lived almost all the parts of life in the shadows and if I'm ever adding another part to my life, I want it to be known. I want to love freely, Cam. I want the world to know that Baby Danvers, the famous playboy actually settled for love. I want to be seen." He murmured.
Can sighed, slowly nodding his head, "And, I'll say again, talk with Kross. You'll find a way... a balance. I'm sure." He smiled encouragingly.
Baby sighed and fell back onto the bed, "Not yet, Cam... he's mad at the moment. Not now."
____
Back at the apartment that evening, the "Three-Foot Rule" was back in full force. Saint was in the kitchen, methodically prepping a protein shake, his movements robotic.
He heard Baby come in but didn't move.
He didn't even acknowledge Baby's presence until Baby went to reach for a glass.
Saint stepped back immediately, giving him a wide, respectful, and utterly devastating amount of space.
"I have the 'Legacy' interview notes," Saint said, his voice flat and professional. "We're expected to talk about our 'mutual respect' and how we've 'grown as a unit.' I've already highlighted the parts where you need to sound convincing. Try to keep the 'I hate him' energy for the locker room. It doesn't sell jerseys."
He set the papers on the counter and walked away, his shoulders squared, his heart locked behind a cage Baby had built for him.
Baby stared at the papers and gulped down the pain building in his chest.
This was what they had turned into, business partners. It wasn't even like this when they were pretending to 'hate' each other.
He wished they hadn't crossed that line, but again, he was glad they did. He got to feel loved for the first time in his life, and he got to feel how good it was to love someone back.
He stood on his decision, he wasn't making up with Saint. He yearned and craved it, but he never gave in to that impulse.
Saint might hate him now, but in the future, he believed that Saint would come to realise that he had done them both a favour by never having to live in the shadows for the rest of their lives.
He picked up the papers and left the kitchen.
However, before he reached his door, a knock sounded on his door.
He paused, frowning as he was expecting no one at that hour.
Slowly, he walked toward the door, hoping it wasn't his lovely mother or father.
The moment he opened the door, his brows creased as he stared at the person standing in front of it.
"Hi... I know it's unannounced, but... my roommate has someone over and I have nowhere else to go," Candy spoke softly, tucking her hair behind her ear.
Baby stared at Candy for a while, his face unreadable.
After a few seconds, he stepped away from the door and nodded, "I have enough room for two." He smirked, his eyes beaming with mischief.
After all, he was a free man.