I shrug. “I guess I understand it a little more than I thought I did. Following the tiny puck is difficult though. Especially in person.”
Alka snorts. “It is. I’m constantly impressed that they know where it is most of the time.”
“What impresses me the most is when they pick up the puck with the end of the stick using gravity,” Declan says, shaking his head. “The first time I saw a goal like that I was off my feet and pointing like a crazy man.Did you see that? Did you see it?!”
I laugh and then quickly cover it up. Both men grin at me.
“You’re not half bad company when you’re not snapping and snarling at us,” Alka says.
“What a wonderful compliment that I almost believe,” I deadpan.
He laughs and gently shoves me. “I mean it. You’re a cool guy.”
I roll my eyes. “We’re not besties now.” The comment probably has more to do with my own insecurities than it is me not liking their company.
“I wouldn’t dream of thinking that,” Declan says.
“So, uh… About earlier. You know, years ago when I was maybe not respecting your boundaries? I’ve realized that perhaps it has taken me some time to learn what no means and well, you were just too hot and I couldn’t help myself. But it wasn’t right and….” I glance out the window to Hansley’s house, feeling my face heat. Fuck this; I’m notthatmature. “Okay, good talk. We’re past that now. What just happened?” I point at the screen so they stop looking at me.
Neither stops looking at me, though I try like hell to ignore the way they’re both grinning. Why did they have to sit on either side of me? What kind of torture is this?
“You’re a cool guy, indeed,” Alka says as he turns back to the television and explains that RDU lost the puck—that’s what happened though he understood why I didn’t know that since the puck is so damn small.
Ugh.
I keep the pleased feeling to myself and hide the smile behind my straw, keeping my eyes trained on the television. Sorelieved that they like me. I need them to like me because they’re Hansley’s friends. While I’m not sure if I feel secure enough to call themmyfriends… I don’t hate their company either.
Not that I offer this information.
The third period is rough. Lots of penalties and lots of rough throws into the boards. Denver gets another goal and I’m practically screaming at the television in frustration. I’m not sure what I’m screaming, but I’m screaming.
RDU manages a goal almost right after, which has the three of us on our feet cheering loudly as if we’re there. The minutes tick down. We keep the puck in their zone, but make hardly any attempts at goal. They’re just always in the way. Always there.
My eyes flicker between the plays on the screen and the timer ticking down. I swear, I can feel each second like a pulse in my blood. Counting down. It feels almost threatening.
When the buzzer sounds, I almost want to cry. They can’t have lost! That’s not fair. Hansley deserves to win a lot more than fucking Denver does!
“Bullshit!” I shout, stomping my foot.
At least Alka and Declan are equally upset about it.
My thoughts go straight to Hansley. He’s going to be so sad. He worked so hard this season. His team did too. They should have won!
CHAPTER 35
HANSLEY
My team is bummed. We go out anyway, and celebrate a fucking amazing season. I’m so damn proud of them. They worked their asses off and we made it all the way to the Frozen Four. I’ve never seen a team deserve that championship more than mine.
Denver just played a better game.
Hakeem demands that we study all of Denver’s games as soon as we get back. The team agrees, but I’m not going to hold them to that. For a quarter of them, this is their last year at RDU. Including Hakeem. I’m touched that they feel so strongly about it that they want to keep pushing to get better this year in preparation for next season when they won’t be here.
The school year is wrapping up, though. It’s time for them to concentrate on their finals next month. For those graduating and not continuing with hockey, I may not see them again once we get back. Like Leo. He’s got the talent, but he doesn’t want to stay in hockey. He wants to work with his family on the farm.
Maybe I should hold a get-together at the end of the school year. My backyard is big enough for my team. That night as I lay in my hotel bed and stare at Lemon’s face on the video call onmy phone, I tell him this and he’s immediately ready to help me make it happen.
I love this man. Every time I look at him I see how far we’ve come; together and separately. My entire life has changed from what it was when we met for the first time seven months ago. But Lemon’s changed the most. He’s more open now. More willing to smile. The kindness he shows his team has begun to extend to staff, as well.
