“Team unity,” Dog said. “You’re welcome.”
“And you’re all dead.”
Holky was beaming. “You mean beloved. And you’ll be happy to know we made extras for the team’s charity auction.”
Harpy started toward the door. “Soccer time, guys.”
Like most teams, we warmed up before games with a soccer ball kick-around. As the guys filed out, Riley put a hand on my back and pushed me forward. “C’mon, dude. Don’t jinx us by staying in here.”
I followed them out, hoping the chirping was over. Fuck Marissa and fuck the league. I could imagine all the suits rubbing their hands together over the publicity. Meanwhile, Ididn’t know how to feel. I resented the way they were using us, but I sure didn’t want the league to fold. And I couldn’t deny being happy about how this had brought Nix and me back together.
While we kicked the ball around the loading dock, their shirts almost glowed under the harsh lights. Of course, the team’s social media crew was filming. Why should the Warriors miss out on such great publicity? They’d post it, and I didn’t even want to see the comments about Paquette’s teammates giving him shit over Packo.
I kicked the ball much harder than necessary. “Fucking perfect. Now the internet gets a sequel.”
“Relax, man.” Dog bounced the ball off his knee. “We’re giving the fans what they want.”
“What they want is a hockey game.”
Harpy grinned. “Nah. They want drama, romance, and maybe a little tongue.”
The guys hooted, and before I could answer, Holky pointed at something behind me and yelled, “No fucking way. Check them out.” He sounded like he was reading a script.
I turned and gasped. The Condors were jogging toward us, wearing the same shirts the Warriors had on.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Harpy said, bumping Noah Parker’s fist.
“Good to have you, boys,” Logan called out. “I see you got our care package.”
“And Gabe’s phone call,” Mercer, their goalie, said.
While everyone laughed, I couldn’t help looking for Nix. He was in the back, wearing a gray Condors shirt.
Riley cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hey, Rossi! Get your ass over here.”
Fuck me. The Condors’ social media crew had joined ours with their own fucking cameras.
Both teams closed in as Edwards and Mason walked me to the center of the pack. Theo Grant and a young guy I didn’t know were frog-marching Nico toward me.
When we were face-to-face, Harpy said, “Time for the kiss cam, boys. Pucker up.”
As everyone chanted, “Kiss! Kiss!” I wanted to melt into the floor, and Nix looked like he wished he were anywhere else but Buffalo.
Then our eyes met, and he smiled. “Hey, Pack.”
It was very hard to breathe, but I couldn’t help smiling too. “Hey, Nix.”
Everyone went silent. After a few seconds, Dog said, “Nix, huh?”
“AndPack,” the young Condor added.
“We’re using pet names now?” Harpy said.
Theo nudged Nix. “That’s really sweet,Nix. Good for you.”
“Leave him alone,” I snapped, which of course made everyone laugh. All except Nix, who smiled again.
They all started chanting again, clapping their hands to the rhythm this time. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
