Thad was looking forward to the party, and he couldn’t wait to see what Graham had picked out for a costume. He just hoped he could get a few moments alone with him too.
Because after that performance on the ice, Thad desperately wanted to stride over, cup Graham’s cheek in his hand, and lean in to give him a deep, lingering kiss.
For astart.
But that would have to wait.
After the reporters filed out, the door was shut firmly behind them, and the volume of the music rose again.
Technically, Thad didn’t need to be in here anymore—he wasn’t recording at the moment, and he’d gotten everything he needed for social media—but he was enjoying the mood of the room, and no one had asked him to leave.
Instead, guys smacked his arm as they walked past, on their way to and from the showers, tossing out easy banter he responded to in kind.
Thad watched Crawford strut back into the dressing room naked and dripping wet, thwacking guys with a towel and making them yelp and shove him away, laughing.
Chirps flew thick and fast and Thad soaked in the energy and good humor, feeling a mingled twist of regret he’d never been able to experience this as a player and gratitude that at least he was able to join in this way.
A few minutes later, once he’d gotten his fill, Thad ducked out of the room, still smiling as he strode toward the offices where he’d pull the footage from his camera and upload it to his laptop, lightly edit a few bits, then get it all to the social media people who’d post it online tonight.
More footage would be posted tomorrow but Thad’s workload was pretty light tonight, thankfully. He worked quickly, finished up, and said goodnight and ‘Happy Halloween’ to everyone still there working.
They gave him distracted waves and he made a beeline for where he’d stashed his Roman gladiator costume. He changed into some of it and carried the rest. It would be too awkward to drive wearing a sword and shield.
As he walked out to his car, then drove to O’Neill’s Pub, he thought about previous Halloweens.
He remembered one from a couple of years ago, where he’d sat on the couch watching a horror movie and, guiltily ignoring the knocks of kids trick-or-treating in his apartment building because he hadn’t been able to afford to buy any Halloween candy.
This year, he’d bought a few bags of the good stuff, mixed it together in his popcorn bowl, then set that in the hallway outsideof his door with a note taped to the wall telling kids to help themselves.
It would have been more fun if he’d been able to hand it out, but it didn’t bother him that he couldn’t. He was working, and he had the party tonight.
He was no different from anyone else in the Harriers with a schedule dictated by hockey.
Even if he wasn’t the guy with the multi-million-dollar contract like he could have been, he was doing well.
The future was bright, and he felt full of hope.
It was the happiest Halloween he’d had since he was eighteen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
After Thad parked on the street near O’Neill’s, he strapped the fake weapons on and strolled into the pub, ignoring theClosed: Private Eventsign on the front door.
He grinned the moment he stepped inside.
This was a team-only party tonight and although guys occasionally took pics and posted them on social media, it wasn’t considered an official Harriers event.
Thad had been confused when he’d been told to take some photos of the Halloween party.
Thad’s direct boss, Tyson, had shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought it was weird too, but Connor said he wanted some professional photos of this one, if we’re willing. Decor and guys’ costumes. After those are done, you’re off the clock.”
Thad could see why Connor had suggested it.
The normal warm white lights of the pub had been switched out for eerie green and purple bulbs. There were fake cobwebshanging thickly from the ceiling and jack o’ lanterns with faux candles flickering inside lined the bar. Mixed in with the standard bottles of liquor along the far wall were ones that glowed odd colors—blue, pink, and green.
A skeleton—presumably also not real—was perched on a stool at one end. Every table glowed with more candles, skulls, and pumpkins.
Thad laughed with delight and sidled up to the bar where Catherine O’Shea was talking to the pub’s owner.
