“Landon,” he says, then hesitates. “Never mind. Just keep playing like this.”
He walks away before I can ask what he held back.
The third period is intense. The Ridgebacks score twice, cutting our lead to one, and the fans are on the edge of their seats.
When the final siren rings, we hold on to our lead; the final score is Cyclones four, Ridgebacks three.
The celebration on the ice is overwhelming—we worked hard for the win, but I feel for my brothers-in-law. Well, for Riven and Knox. Jagger—the annoying bastard—can eat a dick. I said that to Leila once, and she laughed and told me Jagger does not, in fact, eat dick. It’s Riven and Knox, and that was way too much information for me.
The locker room is in absolute chaos when we file in. Guys are shouting, high-fiving, and throwing their gloves and sticks into their lockers. Thomas, our head coach, stands in the center of the room and launches into his post-game speech, but I’m not really listening.
My eyes find Tate across the locker room, and he’s already looking at me. I wink at him, and his jaw tightens. He glances away, running a hand through his hair as if he’s trying to compose himself.
I can’t help the small smile that crosses my face as I peel off my gear and head toward the showers. I’m still buzzing from the win, and the adrenaline has not quite worn off yet. Levi is beside me in the shower, humming some ridiculous song and looking far too pleased with himself for someone who got punched in the face.
“You’re going to have a hell of a shiner tomorrow,” I tell him.
“Worth it,” he grins, touching his cheekbone. “Did you see Jagger’s face when I landed that first punch? Priceless.”
We get out of the shower and get dressed in comfortable clothes. By the time we’re heading out to meet everyone, the parking lot is bustling with fans, but security clears a path for us toward the family area.
Leila’s the first one I see, with Knox and Riven standing beside her, and Jagger. Fuck, Jagger sees Levi and immediately opens his arms wide, ready to hug him. Levi groans from beside me.
“Levi! My man!” Jagger shouts, closing the distance and wrapping Levi in a hug that lifts him slightly off the ground. “I amsooosorry about punching you in the face.”
Levi groans, squirming in Jagger’s grip. “Get off me, asshole.”
I suck my lips into my mouth, trying not to laugh. Any sudden noise could turn him on me, and while I don’t mind Holt in small doses, I do not want him hugging me in public.
“Why did you marry this guy?” Levi demands, looking at Leila over Jagger’s shoulder. “Seriously. What were you thinking?”
“He’s very charming when he’s not being a complete idiot,” Leila says, smiling at her husband.
Jagger finally releases Levi and turns to me with that cocky grin. “Good game out there, Kane. Respect.”
“Thanks,” I say as my eyes find Abby. She’s standing slightly off to the side, looking amused by the whole scene. “Where are the twins?”
“With Aspen and Arlo,” Leila says. “They wanted to keep them for the night. It gives us a chance to come to the game and celebrate.”
“Are you sure they’re safe?” Abby asks, raising her eyebrow. “I can’t imagine Ridge wanting to be anywhere near Lyra and Lawson. That pompous asshole would probably bore them to tears talking about how to become a self-made millionaire.”
“They’re very safe with Aspen and Arlo,” Leila reassures Abby.
Jagger throws an arm around Leila’s waist. “Come on, let’s go eat—I’m starving. All that punching takes it out of a guy.”
We head to a restaurant that’s used to hosting athletes, where we are shown to a private booth and given our menus.
“So,” Jagger says, looking at the menu, but he is clearly more interested in talking. “Levi, did you know that when you threw that punch, your face got all scrunched up like an angry potato? It was adorable.”
“Shut the fuck up, Jagger,” Levi shoots back.
Abby tries to hide her smile before jumping in. “I agree with Jagger—he really did look like an angry potato.”
“Traitor!” Levi exclaims, pointing at her.
“I’m just telling you how it is,” Abby says, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Your face was all twisted up. It was hilarious.”
Jagger looks absolutely delighted. “See, this is why I love Abby. She gets me.”
