Page 52 of Tough Guy and the Show Off

“You going to jerk off to it later?” he teases.

“Maybe.” I grin even though he can’t see me, and the happy flutters war with the heavy feeling still in my gut. This is supposed to be the good part where everything is all flirting and fucking, but instead he’s a thousand miles away and I don’t know when I’ll get to see him again. I guess when we have our away game against the Huskies next month?

“Are you going to watch the game tonight?” he asks.

“Of course. Klaus invited me out. I guess everyone’s planning to watch it at Replay. I’m not sure I feel like it though.”

“Don’t do that, Trav. Don’t mope around your apartment all alone. Go out and buy the whole bar a round of drinks, sign some autographs… be you.”

I smile again, pausing outside my apartment door and looking at the one across the hall, pointlessly willing it to swing open and for Beau to step out.

“Alright, yeah, maybe I will.”

“Good. Okay, shit, I’ve gotta get going. I’m supposed to meet the team and get a quick practice in before the game tonight.”

“Okay,” I say weakly. “I’ll talk to you later.”

There’s a slight pause before Beau echoes, “Later.” And we both end the call.

Inside my apartment, I sag against the door with a sigh. A month until our game in Chicago seriously sounds like a fucking eternity.

TWENTY-FIVE

BEAU

Walking into the Huskies’ practice arena is surreal. Navigating my way to the locker room, I glance at the trophies and accolades lining the halls, then pause outside the doors. On the other side is my new life. I can only hope it works out.

I push through the doors and find myself standing in the middle of twenty hockey players. It takes them a few seconds to recognize the stranger in their midst. Well, not a stranger. Just new to this room.

Thomas Mercier, the team captain, stands up, putting a welcoming smile on his face. “Beau Bozeman. Welcome to the Huskies locker room.”

“Thank you.” I shake his offered hand, glancing around at the other players.

Diego Ferguson, the team’s best defenseman currently, stands and walks over to me. With a clap on my shoulder, he says, “I’m excited to play with you.”

“Thanks, man.”

Everyone introduces themselves to me, and I’m honestly surprised at how smoothly it’s going. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about how trade transitions can go, but so far, the Huskies seem happy that I’m here.

The locker room doors open and Coach Gregors steps in along with one of the defense coaches, Pete Westoff. Westoff is well known around the league for pushing his players to their absolute best. I’m kind of excited to work with him.

Coach Gregors comes over and shakes my hand, explaining to me that I have a practice jersey in the stall next to Diego’s and we’re gonna run some drills and do some stick-handling. He wants me paired with Diego, and I quickly realize what’s expected of me. I’m being paid a lot of money to be here and that comes with some pressure.

I get my stuff situated in my stall and then dress out in the practice jersey before trudging onto the ice. In a few hours this will be real. We’ll be over at the official arena a few miles from here, the fans will fill the seats, and my name will be announced as an official Husky.

I have to work hard tonight. Not just to make the team happy with the trade, but for Trav. He’d want that for me.

Out on the ice, I move through my stretches, then I’m up and practicing drills with our goalie, Gagnon, who joined this team last season after their star goalie was surprisingly traded. From what I’ve seen, he’s pretty solid, but I’ve gotten a few goals past him. I’m guessing it had something to do with the rumors about him fucking more than one of his teammates’ girls.

“What’s up, Bozy?” Gagnon calls out. “Welcome to Chicago.”

“Thanks, Gagnon.”

Practice goes well but Coach Westoff rides me hard, putting me through my paces, already aware of my strengths and weaknesses.

“Let’s focus on your backward mobility,” he says, nodding at me. “Cooper, try passing to Bozeman.”

“Yes, Coach,” Cooper says.