“Don’t try to deny it,” Kai said, examining the apple core like he might eat it.
I blinked. “Why would you even think that?”
Jace snorted. “Hello? Have you been on Instagram in the last few weeks?”
“Or TikTok?” Noah added.
“ESPN? Sportsnet? The Hockey-fucking-Gazette?” Kai asked the questions through a mouthful of apple core.
Noah leaned forward. “We saw the pic where you had a handful of his ass, so make this simple and confess. We’ve talked about this kind of shit for years.”
Jace grinned. “I think you wanted to lick his chest in that locker room interview. I did too.”
They cracked up, and I laughed despite myself. Jace had been treating his rookie year like a citywide dating app.
When the noise died down, I shook my head. “I have nothing to say.”
“That’s not a denial.” Theo rubbed his chin like a professor deep in thought.
“It’s not a confirmation, either,” I said. How could I tell them what was going on with Pack and me when I didn’t know?
Theo’s smug grin told me I’d confessed without meaning to. “Fine,” he said. “We’ll try again on the plane tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait,” I deadpanned.
They exchanged a look, and Kai tried to sound serious. “So, are we allowed to beat them tomorrow, or am I supposed to let half the Wimpy Warriors’ shots through?”
Everyone howled. Kai was being a smartass because he was one of the most competitive players in the league. It would be a cold day in hell when he purposely let a shot through.
“You do that,” I said, “and I’ll make sure you walk from Buffalo to Detroit.”
“You gonna beat Paquette too?” Noah asked. “Wouldn’t be a game without a Rosco and Packy fight.”
“Oh, he’ll beat Paquette.” Jace elbowed Theo for effect. “He’ll beat him off in the bathroom between periods.”
“He’ll do more than that after the game,” Kai said, using his dude-bro voice. “Good thing we’re staying in Buffalo, right, Nico?”
“We’re taking bets on who kisses who at center ice,” Noah said.
Theo smirked. “Fuck that. I’m taking bets on who pitches and who catches.”
I wanted to scream, but somehow held it to a groan. “That’s enough. You’ve crossed into asshole territory.”
“Come on, Rosco,” Kai said. “You love us.”
I rolled my eyes. “Deeply. In controlled doses.”
Jace stretched his arms over his head. “You’re wound tight. Maybe Paquette’llloosen you uptomorrow.”
Theo sighed. “Christ, Jace. Enough.”
“Just saying.” Jace pointed at me. “We expect fireworks.”
“Go home.” I tried to sound grouchy, but I smiled despite myself.
Noah stood. “Let’s go, boys. I still need to pack for the roadie.”
After Kai asked if I had an extra phone charger and Noah took a water from my fridge “for the road,” they shuffled out.
