Summary:

An alternate take on Hayden discovering the identity of Boston Lily and meeting Ilya as Shane's boyfriend for the first time. It takes a week from the moment Shane comes out to the Montreal Metros – with quiet determination and his jaw tense – for Hayden to put two and two together. At least, he thinks he’s got the correct answer. And the correct equation to solve. “So… Lily,” he says and Shane flinches like at a jumpscare. Which isn’t great given he’s currently cradling Amber in his arms like the good uncle he is. They’ve had dinner at Hayden’s, one that Jackie insisten on to show Shane nothing has changed. Hayden has assumed that much was obvious, but given the wary glances Shane has been giving him all evening, maybe Hayden’s wife has been onto something. She’s always been the brains of the relationship. “Is that why I’ve never seen a picture?” Over the years, Hayden has developed theories about Boston Lily. He dismissed most of them. Of course she wasn’t married, Shane would never go there, he just wasn’t the type. And his relationship with Rose Landry suggested he didn’t have a problem with public spotlight on his relationship, so she probably wasn’t a celebrity either. In the end, Hayden has secretly settled on the idea that Boston Lily was a high class dominatrix who helped Shane handle the pressure of being Shane Hollander, the captain of Montreal Metros, the NHL superstar, the involuntary inspiration to many. And Hayden decided not to ask. Now, however, the answer was obvious. “Lily’s a man.” Shane is staring at him with the doe-eyed gaze of a hunted animal. The baby stirs in his arms when his grip on her tightens just a little. “Hey, man, we won’t be doing that,” Hayden says, reaching for Amber to gently pry her out of his best friend’s grip. “You don’t need to use my baby as a shield. I’m not going to be an ass about this. There’s no need to take hostages.” “Sorry.” “No worries,” Hayden bounces the baby, hoping she won’t wake up just yet. They’re both keeping their voices low. “She is, though, right? Your Lily. A guy.” Shane’s ears are burning when he nods shortly. “Are you still seeing her? Him,” Hayden corrects himself quickly. Shane seems to have lost the ability to talk, but a brief hint of a smile flashes across his features. Under his freckles, his cheeks darken with a blush. “Man, it’s been ages. Years, right?” Hayden can’t remember when he’s first noticed Shane glued to his phone and sneaking out of his hotel room, but it has been a long time ago. Now that he thinks about it, Shane’s secret rendezvous in Boston have always been a part of Shane Hollander lore. “Is it serious?” Impossibly, Shane’s cheeks turn darker still. He gives a sharp little nod. “We’ll be playing Boston in what, two weeks? You must be looking forward to it.” Shane opens his mouth, but then he closes it again. His face does something indecipherable. He shrugs. “I think you should introduce us,” Hayden barrels through. “I’m your best friend. I should make sure this guy is worthy of you.” Shane actually laughs at that. “I don’t think— Actually, I think he won’t be in Boston.” “Liar. He’s always in Boston.” Hayden gives Shane a suspicious look. “Are you worried I won’t approve, is that it? Is he old?” He loves seeing Shane genuinely amused. “He’s definitely not old. Same age.” “He’s not out, then,” Hayden guesses. “I can be discreet!” It’s true. He’s never told anyone about his suspicion that Shane’s seeing a dominatrix. “I’d have to ask him. I’m not sure he’d be—“ Shane shakes his head. “But he really doesn’t live in Boston anymore.” “Oh.” Hayden feels his heart break a little. When he considers it now, Shane never got to see his Boston Lily all that often. It seemed much more frequent the way he’s been glued to his phone all these years, but in reality it was only a few times a year. To think the man has moved somewhere further away? Ah, Hayden ached for his friend. “Does he live in any of the cities we’ll be playing? Long distance is harsh, man.” Shane takes a breath. “He— He lives a bit closer now. I get to— It’s not that bad anymore,” he smiles a little. “Maybe we could— If he’d want to, which I’m really not sure— Maybe we could have a dinner. Sometime. If schedules allow. His isn’t much better than ours.” Hayden’s curious about this man now. “What does he do?” Shane only shakes his head. “I’ll have to talk to him first. No promises.” *** Two weeks later, Hayden and Jackie received an invitation to have dinner at— Shane’s cottage near Ottawa. “It’s more convenient for everyone, trust me,” Shane assured him. “And it’d be easier for you to leave than if we visited you. If you don’t like him.”