He’d sworn to Gavin he’d keep away from anyone who worked for the Harriers.
Sure, things were better between him and Gavin now.
But he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that if he found out about Thad and Graham, the progress would quickly get wiped away.
And he might be out on his ass again.
Graham tried not to stare openly at Thad as he sat at the bar with Gavin, but he couldn’t stop darting glances their way every so often.
He hadn’t really thought much about them hanging out at first, just thought they were shooting the shit about the game or something. Thad had looked loose and relaxed but then he’d suddenly gotten awkward and tense and …
Graham was starting to feel a little worried Gavin had found out about them or something.
He forced his gaze away from Thad and turned back to the guys at the table with him.
Jesse was studying his face intently and Graham flinched and had the urge to wipe at his face in case he’d gotten something on it.
He drained his drink and stood instead. “I’m gonna, uh, use the restroom,” he said. “Be right back.”
“Sure,” Connor said absently, his gaze trained on a couple of the rookies who had overindulged when they were in New York. Only Erik had gotten sick enough to warrant calling Dr. Pope in, but they wereallin deep shit.
Graham thought about their stupidity as he pushed through the crowd of people to reach the bathroom.
Most of the rookies who’d gotten in trouble were of legal drinking age, all of them twenty-one or twenty-two, but Erik was only eighteen.
The older guys were the ones who’d been passing him drinks all night and no one in the organization was happy with them at the moment. They weren’t happy with Erik, either, but were cutting him a little bit of slack because of his age and inexperience.
The team culture Declan O’Shea had established so many years ago had been for guys to enjoy a few drinks out with the boys if they wanted, but to always be in control. No drunk driving, no hangovers at practices and games, anddefinitelyno drinking to the point of needing medical intervention.
Honestly, Graham was a little surprised any of these guys had even indulged that much. Most players knew by now the league was far too fast-paced to allow for that type of behavior and there were plenty of other young, hungry guys looking for a spot on the roster.
If they fuck up again, there are plenty of others eager to take their places, Graham thought as he slipped into the bathroom.
In this case, the guys had been given a stern warning. Gavin, the coaching staff, Connor, Graham, and Mickey had all agreed that while mistakes had clearly been made, they were the kind the rookies could learn and grow from.
So far, they’d been nursing a single drink all night. But Graham, Connor, and Mickey had all agreed to keep an eye on them tonight.
But Jesse had been watchingGraham, which made him a little nervous. Why? Had he picked up on something different about him?
Jesse was typically cheerful off the ice, his blue eyes warm and full of laughter.
On the ice, there was an intensity to his stare as he tracked the puck, the same with most goalies he knew. That same stare could be a little unnerving off the ice though.
Graham would swear it was like goalies could see right through you. Deep down to yoursoul.
Or maybe that was Graham’s slightly guilty conscience talking.
Would Connor notice Graham and Thad were dating? Probably not, because he wouldn’t be looking for it. Would Jesse? Well, he probably wouldn’t be looking for it either but Graham certainly wouldn’t put it past him tonotice.
“You okay?” Anker Henriksen asked.
Graham glanced over at his teammate who stood a couple of urinals over from him. “Yeah,” he said automatically. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you’ve been standing there fully dressed staring at the flier for the South End Oktoberfest event for like … five minutes, dude.”
“Oh, right.” Graham let out an awkward laugh and unzipped. “Lost in thought, I guess.”
“Sure.” Anker laughed too and zipped up, walking away to wash his hands still shaking his head like he thought Graham had lost his marbles.
