One way or another.
I won’t let anyone stand in my way.
CHAPTER THREE
SAWYER
“Go, go, go!”Hunter springs out of his seat, shouting at the TV, and I can’t help but laugh. I like hockey, I do, just not like... this much. I just like watching it with him. I used to love watching him play. I prefer smaller leagues to the national one.
In college I was an equipment manager to help pay my tuition. It’s how we met.
We instantly became best friends. Hunter’s probably one of the easiest people to talk to. He’s helped me so much this past year. His own mother died when he was a teenager, so he knew exactly what I was going through.
“Fuck yes!” Hunter drops back down into his seat.
I look across the room and watch Mark sitting sideways in his armchair, his head resting on one chair arm, his legs slung over the other. “They get a goal, babe?” he says absently while playing the handheld game system he has.
“Kuli, with Colton’s assist.”
“Who?”
“Oliver Kulivov. He’s their captain. He’s the one who’s married to their goalie.” Hunter grins. “Fucking awesome to say out loud. It’s so cool.”
“And Colton is Brandon’s brother, right?” It seems unreal that people we went to college with are playing pro. I guess it’s not too surprising. Brandon’s family is hockey royalty. Hisfather and grandfather were notable players, and his brother is probably one of the best defensemen in the league right now. Hunter’s hockey coach from college is also an ex-player for this very team.
Hunter’s favorite team is the Oregon Otters. It always has been. He lost it when he found out that ex-defensemen Grey Tremblay would be their coach back in college. Having an openly gay ex-player as a hockey coach was huge for him as well.
I think he’s married now. I’m not sure. Hunter knows, though, he’s still in touch with him. Sometimes he joins him for Hawks games when Oregon plays here. “Yeah, he is,” he says dreamily.
Hunter was injured in college by the guy who set fire to my mother’s restaurant. It was a huge shitstorm. He fractured Hunter’s kneecap and messed him up bad. He was able to play the following year, but things weren’t the same.
I often wonder if he’s upset that he didn’t make it. I look up and notice Mark’s eyes on Hunter while he watches the screen. The Otters are winning by two, and Hunter’s focus has been all on the game. Mark’s eyes meet mine before he smiles softly. “You want another drink, babe?” He swings his legs over the chair.
“No thanks. I have to take Sawyer home after this,” Hunter says.
“Sawyer?”
“I’m good. I have to get up early anyway.”
“So.” Hunter smirks. “Excited for Noah this weekend?”
Mark walks back into the living room with a can of soda. “Terrified is more like it.” I sip the rest of the drink I do have. “I’m not doing naked baking lessons.” I shake my head. “I can’t imagine what insanity he’s going to come up with.”
“Noah’s going to help you.” My head whips around at Mark’s tone. With all the messing around and jokes between them, it’shard to remember that Mark and Noah are best friends. Like the bestest of best friends.“I’ll help you bury a body and ask what this person did to piss you off later”type best of friends. “Noah’s amazing at what he does.”
Hunter snorts, but I watch Mark’s glare deepen.
“I appreciate his help. I do. It’s just... Noah’s brand of whatever the hell isn’t really me.”
Mark sets his drink down. “I’m going to say something, and if it ever leaves this living room, I will deny it and take you all out with me.” Hunter rolls his eyes. “Noah is literally the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”
Hunter’s eyes widen as he peels them away from the TV to look at Mark. “Really? Noah. Like... Noah Gaitlin. Crop top and dildo enthusiast Noah?”
“Yes.”
“The same Noah who treats your past together like he contracted a brain-eating amoeba. That Noah?”
“Stop.” Mark’s serious tone catches my attention. “I get it. He’s a lot. And yeah, okay, he makes us do some crazy shit. I can’t even say he makes us. None of us ever say no.” He glares at Hunter. “And I think you can admit, and maybe even Sawyer, that we all have a great time when he’s around. He’s fun, but more than that, he gives a fuck about his friends.
