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Eli smirks. “And sleep where? Your closet?”

She rolls her eyes. “You can sneak in and sleep in my bed.”

I lean over, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “Can’t. I’ll want that ass again.”

She turns red.

Eli kisses her lips. “Get inside before you pass out on the porch.”

She sighs. “I’ll see you at the game?”

I nod. “Wouldn’t want you missing all my best plays.”

Eli scoffs. “Bold of you to say when we’re the fucking mascots.”

“I’ll talk to my dad about that.”

“That… that would be fucking lovely, bunny.”

She gives Eli another kiss before slipping out of the car. We watch as she heads inside, waiting for the porch light to flicker off before I finally pull away from the curb.

Eli stretches out in the passenger seat, exhaling loudly. “You good?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the road.

He shrugs. “Been worse.”

“That’s not a real answer.”

“Then quit asking real questions.”

I glance over. “You look like shit.”

He lets out a laugh, running a hand down his face. “Thanks, Dad.”

I roll my eyes. “You need sleep.”

“I need a fucking time machine. Think we could get one of those instead?”

“Nope.”

“Shit.”

“That’s too bad.”

We don’t say much after that. He tilts his head back against the seat, and I keep my focus on the road. We get to the rink right as Coach is walking in, already mid-rant about strategy against the Wolverines.

“—gotta stay aggressive. They play rough, and we know how they set up their power plays. Keep your heads on straight, and don’t let them bait you into stupid penalties.”

A few of the guys murmur agreements. I nod along like I’m actually paying attention, but I know damn well I’m just trying not to yawn.

Coach looks between Eli and me, narrowing his eyes. “You two. Locker room. Now.”

Eli groans under his breath. “Swear to God, if this is a speech about discipline—”

Coach keeps talking like he doesn’t hear him. “Since you two decided to skip out on practice yesterday, you’re both getting a little…extra conditioning.”

I exhale through my nose. “Coach—”

“Not a word.” He folds his arms. “Locker room. Now.”