Page 26 of Code Violation

He pulls off his helmet and runs a glove through his dirty-blond hair. When it’s sweat-soaked like this, it almost looks brown.

“God, jeez …” he quietly says. “Please tell me that Smith is going on the trade list or at least finding a new home on the farm team. My blood pressure can’t handle it every time someone takes a shot.”

I should remain professional and keep my thoughts to myself.

“Yeah, I know,” I say just as quietly, lips barely moving as I speak.

The media is really fucking good at lip-reading these days—as Will found out a few weeks back, when he went viral for calling Tristan a jackass.

Again.

“Do you know what Denver’s fate is, Cap?” Mason asks, hope blooming in his voice.

I shake my head and check on Coach’s proximity to this conversation. “No. Although I’m pretty sure the GM feels similar to us. He was pictured at a recent Toronto game, checking out their goalie.”

Mason’s brows rise into his hairline. “Rhys Sharpe?!” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Damn. I mean, yes, absolutely Rhys Sharpe, but also, damn. I can’t see him pulling on a Rogues jersey. He’s in his prime, and we’re … well, we’re one rung from the bottom of the shit ladder.”

I bark out a laugh, incapable of not finding this guy amusing. His personality alone should’ve been enough to save his marriage, which still hasn’t recovered since it broke down for the final time last season.

“Are you headed out tonight?” Mason asks, hope evident in his voice.

He’s always been the guy you could count on for a wild night out, reminding me of myself when I was younger. However, since Eloise left him, my defenseman has been hitting the bars and booze way more than normal.

“We can stop by Riley’s …” His voice takes on a teasing edge as he side-eyes me.

I choose to ignore what he’s insinuating.

“It’s Vesper’s night to work, no?” he presses, either not taking my silence as a hint to drop it or not caring, period.

“I have no idea what shifts she works,” I lie.

Again.

Unlike Coach, Mason doesn’t fall for the ruse.

“Come on now. Don’t kid a kidder. We both know you’re hot on the petite bartender.” He coughs out his next words. “Your brother’s ex.”

This time, I don’t ignore him. Shocked that he’s picked up that I’m into her. I thought I’d hidden my feelings well.

“Why don’t you head up to the media box and ask if you can announce that shit on the jumbotron?”

He playfully elbows me in the ribs. “Shall I take that response as your confirmation?”

I blow out an exasperated breath. “Take it however you want. Nothing is happening between us and likely never will.”

Mason’s eyes flare wide, and, dammit, that’s all the confirmation he needed.

“Bro …” He places a gloved hand on my right shoulder. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re down for a bit of code violation?”

“I don’t want to know what you’re insinuating by that.”

He clicks his tongue as the game enters the final minute. We’re sixty seconds away from a historic win, and I’m fully ready to shit myself from nerves.

“Listen, I’m not saying that bro code isn’t steeped in bullshit patriarchy, but if you went there with Vesper, you’d for sure be crossing some kind of line. It would be the same if you and Vesper had been dating and then you went there with her sister.”

I look at him, totally gobsmacked. “Are you for real?”

He just grins and continues watching the game. Tristan collects the puck and refuses to pass it to Will, like a true fucking professional.