“No, probably not.All those Black Friday ads are really awful—”
“Ben, why the fuck are you not coaching this team?”
Ben turned away and started wiping down the counters.
“Ben—”
The words crowded up the back of Ben’s throat, begging to be released.I’m not a hockey coach, all right?
Phil was a good person who cared deeply about the success of the team.He had a notebook full of coaching tips to help Ben out for no other reason than an honest desire to help.Maybe he would understand.Maybe he wouldn’t hate Ben.But if Ben had uncovered Trout’s plot earlier, Phil’s knee might never have been injured.And admitting that Ben had failed to protect Phil by doing the one thing he’d been hired for was impossible.
Instead, Ben did the only thing more self-destructive than telling the truth.
He stepped right up into Phil’s personal space, grabbed hold of his shirt collar, and kissed him.
Chapter Five
[…] Q: What do you see as your role in the Sea Lions organization?
Pulvermacher: The Sea Lions are a young team, new to the NHL and new to the industry.In relative terms, of course, ten years isn’t nothing.But some of these teams have been there for decades.As GM, my role is to help the team grow, both in terms of players and staff, as well as in the market here in San Francisco.
Q: What are your plans to reach the San Francisco audience?So far, your predecessors haven’t had much luck.
Pulvermacher: We’re launching a new streaming service for fans with exclusive content featuring the players and some really cool behind-the-scenes footage.We’re hoping to reach hockey fans all over the state.[…]
Top comments:
seelionssaylions: Oh, great.ANOTHER paid streaming platform to shill out cash for if you want to watch hockey.Just what I needed.
sealionsfan82: Looking forward to seeing behind the curtain on the new streaming service.Kinda wish the team would start engaging with local communities though.If you want local fans, that’s how you do it.
(From “The New Sheriff in Town: Martin Pulvermacher takes over as GM of the struggling San Francisco Sea Lions,” interview published inThe San Francisco Heraldon 07/10/2020)
The last time Phil kissed another man was such a long time ago he thought of it as kissing a boy.He’d left same-sex kissing and furtive, desperate hand jobs behind when he graduated high school and signed his first NHL contract.As such, he’d never felt someone else’s stubble scrape against his cheek; no boy he’d kissed during Juniors could grow any.The firm, confident press of Ben’s hands, anchoring Phil against the counter when his knee wouldn’t hold him, was also a new sensation.
Phil had no idea how long the kiss went on.It must have been a while, long enough for his hand to slip under the hem of Ben’s T-shirt.The fabric felt thin under his fingers, soft and worn from frequent washing.Ben’s skin was hot.He had love handles.
When Ben tried to pull away, Phil grabbed hold of them and pulled him in tighter.
It had been so long since he’d been kissed.
Ten minutes ago, Phil would have said he hadn’t been kissed since Camille signed the divorce papers in July, patted his cheek, and pecked him chastely on the lips before leaving with her designer suitcases and immaculate hair.Now, Phil knew it had been much longer.With Camille, he was the one who kissed, and she was the one who was kissed.She’d never crowded him up against the counters and taken what she wanted as if she’d die if she didn’t taste him.She’d never wrenched herself away, wide-eyed and panting, with her lips bruised red and puffy from the force of her desire.
Ben stared at him for a brutally long span of time in which Phil could do nothing but pant for breath and cling to Ben’s back until he regained balance on his good leg.
“I’m sorry,” Ben said, his voice rough.“I shouldn’t have done that.”
He absolutely should have.
“I’m still your coach even if you’re on IR.I promise I won’t let this affect any decisions related to your contract.”
Oh.Right.That was a good reason Ben shouldn’t be kissing him, along with how it woke up nerve endings and desires Phil didn’t think he had anymore.
Phil cleared his throat and let go of Ben’s waist, slipping his hands out from under Ben’s T-shirt.“Right.Um.Yeah.Thanks.”
Ben stepped away, and the cold air he left in his wake sent goosebumps across Phil’s skin.“Look, I just got news on short notice that my niece is coming to stay with me for a while.I’ve trespassed on your hospitality long enough.I’ll find us a place to stay—”
“Don’t be ridiculous.I have plenty of room, and you stay in enough shitty hotel rooms as it is.”
