Above Par - Olympic Edition

Chapter 28 - The Morning After

Felix:

I lay in the hotel room bed the next morning, replaying the past day's events in my mind. Everything seemed different now, as if meeting Frederic had shifted something deep within me, giving me a renewed sense of purpose.

Beside me, Frederic stirred, his presence a reassuring constant. His eyes opened slowly, meeting mine with a sleepy smile. "Morning," he said, his voice still rough from sleep.

"Morning," I replied, leaning over to kiss him softly. His lips were warm and inviting, a gentle pressure that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. The kiss was unhurried, filled with the promise of new beginnings, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world—a connection I'd never imagined happening just a few days ago.

We lay there cuddling for a while, enjoying the quiet intimacy, before Frederic spoke again. "I'm really glad you came," he said, his hand tracing a gentle pattern on my arm. "I've missed you."

His words echoed the feelings I'd been trying to articulate since our reunion. "I've missed you too," I admitted. "More than you know."

Frederic smiled, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "You've always had a way of surprising me, Felix. I didn't expect to see you again, but I'm really glad you showed up."

I chuckled softly, feeling the weight of the past few months lift. "Honestly, I didn't expect to show up either. But there was something about seeing you on TV that just felt right, like I needed to be here."

"Was it my stellar golf performance?" he teased, grinning.

"Absolutely," I replied, playing along. "I thought you might need a little help with your swing."

Frederic laughed, the sound filling the room with a warmth that made me smile. "You're probably right. Tom is great, but he doesn't have your charm."

I shrugged, pretending to be modest. "I guess I have my uses."

The moment was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Startled, I glanced at Frederic, who seemed as surprised as I was. I slipped out of bed, grabbing a pair of boxers, and made my way to the door, wondering who could be visiting so early.

Opening the door, I found myself face-to-face with Frederic's father.

"Hello," I said, offering a polite smile despite the awkwardness of the situation.

Mr. Maillet's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Dressed in the hotel bath robe and with the room clearly showing signs of two people sharing one bed, it was obvious he put two and two together.

"Is Frederic here?" he asked, his voice cool and assessing.

"Uh, yeah," I replied, stepping aside to let him in.

Frederic appeared beside me, fully awake now and clearly aware of the tension in the air. "Dad," he greeted, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

His father's gaze flicked between us, understanding dawning on his face. There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken words.

"I didn't realize..." his father began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.

Frederic straightened, meeting his father's gaze with quiet determination. "Dad, you remember Felix, right?"

His father's expression tightened, a mixture of surprise and something else—disapproval, perhaps? It was difficult to read, but the tension in the room was palpable. I held my breath, unsure of how this would play out.

"Frederic, we'll talk later," Mr. Maillet said, his voice strained. He nodded curtly in my direction, acknowledging my presence but saying nothing further. With that, he turned and left the room, leaving a charged silence in his wake.

I closed the door slowly, turning to Frederic. "I'm sorry," I said softly, unsure of how to address the situation.

Frederic shook his head, a small, resigned smile on his lips. "It's okay. I knew this would happen eventually. I just didn't expect it to be today."

I reached for his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever happens."

He nodded, his eyes meeting mine with gratitude. "I know. And I'm glad you are. But I think I should go talk to him alone before this becomes a bigger issue."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

He shook his head, rising from the bed and quickly pulling on his clothes. "I think it's something I need to handle on my own, at least for now."

I watched him dress, a mix of admiration and worry swirling within me. "Okay. Just...be careful, all right? You know I'm here if you need me."

Frederic paused, leaning down to press a lingering kiss to my lips, his touch filled with reassurance. "I know. And I'm grateful for it."

With that, he headed for the door, casting one last glance at me before stepping out into the hallway. As the door clicked shut behind him, I was left alone in the quiet room, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.