“Oh my God,” she whispered.
“He came out of the closet for love,” Benji added with a sigh. “Literally and figuratively. I’m never getting over this.”
I glanced over at Finn, expecting to see his usual protective skepticism or perpetual amusement at Benji’s antics; but instead, his arms hung loose at his sides and he was smiling—actually smiling—as he watched Jacks and me.
“That’s . . .” Finn shook his head, his voice warm. “That’s something, Skyler.”
“Is that Finn approval?” I asked.
“That’s Finn admitting that maybe you know what you’re doing after all.” His smile widened. “And that our boy here picked someone worth keeping.”
Mia sobbed. Right there in the office, she fell into a chair and began bawling. For once, Benji had no more jokes. He dabbed his own watery eyes before dropping beside Mia and pulling her into an embrace.
I turned from them back to Jacks, but before anyone could speak, the door burst open with enough force to rattle the frame.
“WHERE IS HE?” a deep voice boomed.
Tyler exploded into the room like a hurricane in hockey gear. He still wore his base layers. His hair was damp with sweat, and his eyes were bright with post-game energy.
“Tyler—” I started.
“No! No more waiting! This is happening right fucking now!” He pointed at Jacks with the intensity of a man who’d been denied this introduction for far too long. “You! You’re the guy who’s been making our captain float around like a lovesick Disney princess!”
“I donotfloat,” I protested.
“You fucking float if I say you float. Yesterday you hummed while taping your stick. You hummed, Skyler. You don’t even like music. You’re like a two-by-four with a penchant for hockey.” Tylerstuck out his hand toward Jacks. “Tyler Kowalski. We met at the bar, but it’s time we had a proper introduction. I’ve heard so much about you by now it’s borderline obsessive.”
“Jackson Armstrong,” Jacks said, reaching out to grip the big man’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”
“Good things, I hope?”
“Mostly.” Jacks glanced at me with mischief in his eyes. “Something about you and Erik and a Swedish royalty prank?”
Tyler’s grin turned wicked. “Oh, we’re definitely sharing that story later.” He turned to the others. “I know Finn, the protective one, but I don’t know the lady. Who are you and why did they make you cry? Who should I beat up?”
Mia looked up, tears streaking her face, and blubbered, “I’m really happy.”
Tyler looked like he’d been struck with a stupid stick. His head lolled as he glanced from Mia to me, then back. I’m not sure if he accepted her explanation or gave up trying to understand it, but his focus shifted to a new direction.
“And, you.” He paused at Benji, who was still giggling about the closet situation. “You’re the magical bartender. I remember your hair.”
“Benji,” Benji managed through his laughter. “The one who just witnessed the greatest metaphor in romantic history.”
“Excellent. I like you already.” Tyler shook hands with all of them, his energy somehow managing to fill the small office without making it feel crowded. “Welcome to the Lightning family. Any friends of Sky’s are friends of ours.”
“Speaking of which,” I said, glancing at my phone, “I really should get to the press conference before they send security.”
“Right, yeah, go be Captain Professional,” Tyler said. “But first—” He grabbed Jacks’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Thank you for making him happy and being here. Thank you for wearing our jersey, for all of it. He’s been an impossible prick to live with because he’s so fucking cheerful, and it’s all your fault.”
Jacks gulped hard. “Thanks, I think.”
The door burst open again with even more force than Tyler’s entrance, slamming into the wall with enough force to poke a hole in the back of the wooden panel. One of Coach’s favorite motivational posters fell off the wall.
Erik filled the doorway like a Norse god having a very bad day. His expression was the particular brand of serious that meant he’d made a decision and nothing in heaven or earth was going to stop himfrom executing it.
His gaze swept the room and landed on Jacks like a missile finding its target.
“You,” he said, pointing at Jacks.
