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Caleb spotted Dimitri on one of the small couches in a back corner that gave him a good view of the entire place. He’d already attracted the attention of a young and very tattooed man. Dimitri at least looked up when Caleb came in. They traded a nod of acknowledgment before Caleb went to the bar to get a beer. Hopefully Dimitri could dispatch with his fan before he came back.

Dimitri stood as Caleb approached and embraced him in a hug. “It’s good to see you. What’s the word?”

Tattoo Guy was still on the couch, looking expectant, and that made Caleb uncomfortable. He kept his focus on Dimitri. “Back at practice tomorrow and in the game Friday.”

“Thank God. I didn’t like the idea of going into the playoffs without you. This is Peter,” Dimitri said, indicating the man on the couch. Caleb gave a nod. “Peter, this is Caleb, the teammate I told you I was meeting. Can we catch up later?”

“I wouldn’t mind catching up with both of you,” he said, cocking his eyebrow in what Caleb assumed was supposed to be a flirtatious expression.

Thankfully Dimitri quickly put an end to that idea. “I’m afraid that’s not going to happen.”

Peter got up. “Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be around.”

Dimitri grabbed his beer bottle off the low table as he watched Peter saunter to the bar. “He might be too much work. Although those tats….” He made growling sort of noise. “I’d love to see the rest.”

“I’ve missed hanging out with you.”

“Here’s to at least eight or nine more weeks of being together.” Dimitri clanked his bottle against Caleb’s, and they both sat down. Caleb sighed. “That’s not exactly the reaction someone trying to win a Stanley Cup is supposed to have.”

“I know.” Caleb pulled on the beer bottle’s label so he wouldn’t have to look at his friend. “My body’s ready to go, but I’ve got to get my head in it. I’m sure getting on the ice tomorrow will do the trick, being back out there with you and the rest of the team.”

“This is about what’s his name, isn’t it?”

“Aaron,” Caleb was quick to add.

“Yeah, Aaron.” Dimitri nodded. “How did he get such a hold on you so fast? You hardly take a sick day. You come in and cough all over the rest of us because you want to play so bad. When you broke your foot, you did everything you could to persuade Doc to wrap it and let you play the next day, even though it was your third break. Suddenly you have to find a way to get your head in the game? Is he some kind of witch who’s put a spell on you?”

“If you met him, you’d understand. Maybe after Friday’s game. I’m hoping he’ll come down.”

“What?” Dimitri’s surprise took Caleb aback. “You’re asking the distraction to come here? You’ve got it bad.”

“I’ve had a thing for him for… forever, it seems like. Now that I know he feels the same I can’t let that go easily. It’s incredible to watch him work with his students. He actually likes hockey. He’s smart. Maybe too smart, really. He can’t see a way for us to work.”

“Or maybe he knows enough to get that you can’t be tied down—at least not right now.”

“I’m not you, D.”

“That’s not what I mean. This isn’t the easiest life to maintain a relationship of any kind. We see that all the time with guys who break up or get divorced. Why do you want to add that stress and distraction, especially during the playoffs?”

Caleb took a long pull on his beer. “Oh, come on. We know plenty of guys who make it work long-term.” Caleb considered, only briefly, mentioning Aaron’s previous heartbreak and abuse but didn’t because it wasn’t his story to tell. “I don’t have any answers for you, just like I don’t for him. All I can say is that I want to give it a go. What would you do if you met someone?”

“I meet someone all the time. Spend a night or two, and then we go back to our lives.”

“But you want more than a hookup someday, right?”

“Like what my mom and dad had where they were screaming at each other for years? No, thanks. Don’t start that ‘not everyone is like that.’ I can’t imagine a guy I’d want to settle with. It’s too much fun seeing what’s out there.”

Caleb couldn’t tell if Dimitri really felt that way or if he was just being difficult. “Well, I’m pretty sure I know who my guy is.”

“I wish I had some advice.” Dimitri reached out and grabbed some peanuts from the bowl on the small table in front of them. “What you’re talking about is way outside my expertise.”

“There’s got to be something I can say to him that will prove that this can all work. Or for him to at least take the leap. He’s too worried about us getting hurt to even give it a try.”

“He’s got every reason to worry about that. What happens when you meet someone on the road? Or a guy piques his interest while you’re gone? Out of sight, out of mind?”

“Hang on. What makes you think I’d leave him for someone on the road?”

“Okay, someone here, in the city where you actually live.”