Chapter Text
“What the fuck?” Hayden blurted out, still trying to get his thoughts in order. It wasn’t as if he had never considered the idea that Shane might be gay, in fact that was a theory he felt was quite probable. But Rozanov? Hayden had not seen that one coming.
“Pike.” Rozanov said, his eyes glaring at Hayden. “You know nothing. Whatever it is you think, you are wrong.”
Hayden stared, his eyes wide. “Uh, yeah dude, that’s not going to cut it. What the fuck?” He whispered.
“You will not tell this to anyone Pike,” he growled. “I am Russian. I have many connections. Easy for me to hurt you.”
“What the fuck man?” Hayden spluttered. “I would never do anything to hurt Shane! I can’t believe you’re Boston Lily. What does Shane even see in you?” Whatever, now that Hayden knew Shane was gay, he could set him up with someone better. Anyone other than Ilya Rozanov.
Rozanov opened his mouth and when nothing came out, shut it again and focused his eyes just past Hayden’s shoulder, his whole body tensed.
Hayden jumped slightly at the sound of the elevator door sliding shut behind him, and turned around in time to see Rozanov try and discreetly wipe at his eyes. Hayden felt a small stirring of sympathy swell up inside him and he groaned, reaching up with his free hand to cover his eyes.
Why did he have to feel bad for Rozanov? Ugh, did Shane seriously have to date this asshole?
“When did this even start?” he said. “Shane’s been texting Lily for-” he trailed off, brows furrowing slightly. “For a really long time.”
“You should ask Shane this.” Rozanov said. “He would want to tell you himself, I think.”
“Yeah.” Hayden sighed. Fuck. He hated agreeing with Rozanov.
“Listen, Pike. Hate me, is fine. I do not like you, Montreal has many better players.” He said. “But do not think I will not hurt you if you hurt Shane.” This he said more firmly.
“Oh fuck off Rozanov” Hayden growled. “Shane is my brother, I’d never hurt him.”
“Things might be different now you know he likes to suck my cock.” He shrugged, a glint in his eye.
“Gross dude, I did not need to know that.” Hayden said, his face twisting up in horror at the mental image.
“I don’t care that Shane is gay.” Hayden said firmly, cutting off whatever Rozanov was going to say.
They stood there, silently appraising each other. Slowly Rozanov relaxed his shoulders and sighed.
“I must go to the airport now. Flight leaves soon.” His face twisted slightly, as if whatever he was about to say cost him. “Thank you Pike. You are good friend.”
Hayden was so shocked by Rozanov thanking him that he almost didn’t react as he walked past him to get to the elevator.
“Wait -” He said, quickly turning around “Whatever you two have, or whatever it is you’re doing means something to him okay? So you need to treat him well. He’s my best friend, and if you do anything to hurt him it doesn't matter that I don’t have connections to the mafia, no one will find your body.”
Hayden leaned against the wall outside Shane’s room for a second in shock. He couldn’t believe it. Shane had such terrible taste in men, but as much as Hayden wanted to believe that Rozanov was a dick, he couldn’t shake the image of his glossy eyes, or the way he had tried to protect Shane.
Ugh. He was going to have to learn how to be civil with Il-. No. Too much. With Rozanov.
He sighed and shook his head. Pushing open the door he was greeted by the sight of Shane with a loopy, affectionate look on his face.
“Hey bud, how are you feeling?” He asked.
“Haaaaayden!” Shane exclaimed. “Ilya came to see me! Isn’t that nice of him?” He grinned doppily.
“Yeah, that’s… yeah buddy. That’s nice.” He responded slightly unsure. He didn’t know what to do. Should he admit to Shane that he knew?
Shane frowned. “I know you don’t like him, but he’s really nice, I swear! I want you to like him, Hayden, it’s part of my plan.”
“What plan, Shane?” He asked cautiously.
“I can’t tell you, Hayden. Issa secret! Shhhhhh!” He nodded, looking pleased with himself. “Is’so you don’t hate me.”
Hayden felt his stomach drop. Fuck. “Shane, I could never hate you. You are my brother, okay?
Shane’s eyes welled up with tears. “I’ve been lying to you though.”
Hayden sat down in the chair next to his bed and grabbed his hand. “You’re my best friend Shane. I love you. Nothing you could ever do will change that.” He felt awful. How could Shane doubt him? He resolved to do better. “Speaking of loving you, I let Lily know you were okay.”
Shane avoided his eyes. “Lily? I don’t know any Lilys.” He said, his voice suspiciously high.
Hayden wanted to laugh at how bad Shane was at lying. He was so lucky no one had ever asked if he was gay to his face because he was sure that the way he lied would give him away immediately.
“She texted me that she came to visit.” He said.
“Whaaaat, that’s crazy. No one’s come to visit me.” He laughed nervously avoiding eye contact.
“It’s okay, Shane. I know” he said softly, squeezing his hand.
“There’s nothing to know!” he insisted in a tight voice.
“Shane, it's okay. I don’t care if you’re gay.” When Shane didn’t respond he carried on carefully. “To be honest, I maybe thought you might be? It’s not anything obvious, don’t worry.” He rushed to add when he saw the panic on Shane's face. “It’s just because I know you so well. I’ve always had my theories about Boston Lily. I have to say, Boston Lily being a man is definitely better than being a married woman.”
A tear trickled down Shane’s cheek and Hayden reached up to brush it away. “Hey man, you know this doesn’t change anything between us?”
“I tried Hayden, I really did,” Shane sniffed.” “But I can’t help it.”
Hayden felt like his heart was breaking. How could he not have seen how much pain Shane had been feeling?
“Shane, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s not something to fix, it’s just a part of you. And I love you bro.” he soothed. “And If Ilya Rozanov is your boyfriend, then I can learn to like that too”
Shane had stopped crying, but this brought tears back into his eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
Hayden wanted to feel relieved that his best friend wasn’t dating the biggest asshole in the league, but instead he felt sad, because of the despondent look in Shane’s eyes.
“Buddy, I hate to say it, and trust me, I wish it was anyone but him, but you’ve been texting for years. What do you mean you aren’t dating?” Hayden questioned.
Shane blushed and looked away. “Uh, it’s just um. Just casual.” he said.
Hayden pursed his lips. “Shane, after you went down, he played like shit. He blew up your phone with texts because he was worried about you, man.” Hayden hesitated, “And when I saw him just now it looked like he was crying. He clearly cares about you, a lot. That doesn’t seem very casual to me.”
“You think so?” Shane asked, doubtfully.
“I mean, I don’t know the dude personally, but yeah. And if he doesn’t then he doesn’t know what he's missing.” Hayden said, squeezing Shane’s hand.
“Do you think he’ll come then?” Shane asked.
“Er, come where?” Hayden said, furrowing his brow.
Shane looked longingly toward the door. “To my cottage. He said maybe.” He smiled slightly, “I want him too. I-” He was cut off by a yawn and blinked slowly.
“Get some rest okay Shane?” Hayden said. “Your parents will be here soon.”
“Alright.” Shane said. “But will you stay with me? Wake me up if Ilya texts again.” He said, but he was already nodding off.
Hayden grimaced slightly at the mention of Rozanov, but he dutifully stayed seated and held Shane's hand until he was sure he was asleep.
He pulled open his phone and opened his camera app and took a photo of the way Shane's face was tilted in a small patch of sunlight and hesitated over his chat with Rozanov before biting the bullet and hitting send. Seconds later the image was hearted. Ugh. Rozanov. He changed the contact name to Asshole.
Asshole: Thank you pike.
Hayden: Treat him well Rozanov.
He clicked back out of his chat with Rozanov and into his one with Jackie.
Hayden: You are never going to believe who Boston Lily is.