“You will not post the sacred ritual,” Erik said sternly. “Valhalla will not wait for you if you share our ways.”
“Your ancestors from Minnesota?” Tyler smirked.
“Vikings traveled far,” Erik said with the patience of someone explaining basic geography to a child. “They were mobile with boats and shit.”
“Boats and shit?” Tyler was wheezing now.
“Boats and falcons?” Benji asked innocently.
I lost my balance and dropped hard, laughing the whole way.
Thankfully, the door opened, and Kevin poked his head in, looking like he might have a stress-induced breakdown. “Cap, the press is getting restless. They’re starting to ask questions about where you are, and Coach is looking for you. I think one of the reporters is having some kind of deadline-related panic attack.”
“Right.” I picked myself up and glanced aroundthe room. Tyler was grinning like he’d witnessed the best comedy show of his life. Erik was maintaining his ridiculous straight face. Jacks’s friends looked like they’d been through a very benevolent hurricane.
And Jacks.
Jacks looked like he was still processing his induction into Erik’s imaginary Viking clan and whatever might come with it.
“I have to go,” I said. “Press conference. Captain duties.”
“Go,” Jacks said, his voice warm and understanding. “We’ll find our way out.”
I started toward the door, then stopped.
The whole room was watching me.
Tyler with his knowing grin.
Erik with his solemn satisfaction.
Finn with his finally-relaxed approval.
Mia and Benji with expressions of pure romantic investment.
And Kevin looking like he was about to drag me to the media room.
Jacks in the middle of it all, still wearing my jersey, still looking at me like I was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
I closed the few steps between us and cupped his face in both hands.
And in front of Tyler and Erik and Finn and Mia and BenjiandKevin, I kissed him.
It wasn’t a peck.
Not a casual goodbye.
It was a real kiss.
The kind of kiss that made statements and answered questions and left no room for interpretation.
When I pulled back, his eyes were wide and his lips were parted and the room was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.
“Meet me at my place?” I whispered, quiet enough that only he could hear. “Bring an overnight bag. Please?”
He nodded, still looking stunned.
“Good.” I kissed him once more, quick and soft, then stepped back. “Kevin? Let’s go before they send a search party. And not a word about any of this until I talk to the boss, okay?”
