His smile returned, subtle but knowing. “Some players bend rules by habit. Some…forget rules when emotional. And some forget entirely when they’re overheated.”
I frowned. “Overheated?”
Doryu didn’t explain. He only watched Cole a little more closely.
Cole, who at that moment refused to end his shift even though Max was tapping his stick sharply against the boards.
“See?” Doryu murmured. “He should come off now.”
“He’s staying out because he wants the puck,” I said.
“Mm,” Doryu hummed. “Or because he’s trying too hard.”
A flicker of worry stirred in my chest. “He does that?” But Doryu didn't answer, just watched Cole intently.
Cole finally came off, looking flushed under the bright rink lights. As he skated toward the bench, his eyes flicked up toward the VIP box. Just for a heartbeat. Just long enough for my breath to catch.
“You’ll learn the rules soon enough,” he said. “What matters isn’t the system. It’s knowing when someone you care about…needs the change before they do.”
I swallowed.“I don’t think he listens to anyone.”
“That’s because,” Doryu said gently, “he hasn’t tried listening to you yet.”
The game roared back to life below us, but all I could hear was my pulse thudding in my throat.
Ignatius finally joined us, eyes cold and sharp, except when they fell on Doryu. It was subtle, but I caught it. The way Ignatius watched him. Not with suspicion or boredom, but like he was listening for every breath Doryu took, like it mattered. It made something twist in my chest, but not in a bad way.
Doryu caught me looking and grinned. “He’s all serious business for everyone else, but he lets me pick the music on the drive home.”
Ignatius raised one eyebrow but didn’t contradict him. I wondered what it would be like to belong to someone that much. To know you could eat all the food in the world and still not get thrown out. To know you could mess up and someone would cover for you, just because.
I watched the game, trying not to stare at Cole, but it was impossible. He was everywhere at once. On the ice, on the bench, jaw clenched and eyes locked on the play even when he was supposed to be catching his breath. He looked at me just once.
Doryu kept up a running commentary. “If you watch 25, that’s Keegan, he’s gonna take a penalty in the second. He always does, gets too eager.” He was right. Five minutes into the period, Steel slammed some guy into the glass and the ref’s arm went up.
I found myself laughing, even though I shouldn’t have cared. At one point, Ignatius poured himself a coffee and handed one to Doryu without asking. Doryu took it and grinned, and Ignatius just watched him drink it, like he was waiting for a verdict. Eventually I plucked up the courage to get one for myself.
The second period was brutal. The Grizzlies played like they wanted to break bones, not just win. I saw Cole take a hit so hard he had to limp to the bench, and my whole body went cold. He was fine. Of course he was fine. But for the rest of the period, I couldn’t stop staring at the spot where he’d gone down. Imagining what it would feel like to run out there, grab him, and just…protect him from the world.
Doryu nudged me. “You okay? You look like you’re gonna be sick.”
I shook my head, tried to laugh it off. “Just don’t like seeing people get hurt.”
“Yeah,” he said, voice quiet. “But you’re watching the wrong game for that.”
I almost laughed, but the ache in my chest made it come out thin. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
But Doryu just shrugged, like getting battered was no big deal. “You get used to it. First couple times I watched, I thought my heart was gonna explode every time Keegan hit the ice. Drake will kill him if he’s got so much as a bruise when he gets home.”
“Drake?”
Doryu nodded. “Keegan’s partner. He’s usually in here with us, but he had a charity event in Jacksonville yesterday, so he’ll be at home.”
I blinked. But this was the NHL. They’d had maybe a couple of gay players, but it wasn’t something really talked about.
Ignatius must have been listening, because he finally turned my way, and his gaze was sharp but not unfriendly. “You’re with Armstrong’s team, yes?” His eyes flicked to my badge, then back to my face. “How long have you worked under his agent?”
I fumbled, but Doryu jumped in before I could mess it up. “Phoenix is new. First week, right?”
