Page 6

Dakota got out of the shower, towel drying his hair as the baby let out a wail.

That sounded like a hungry cry, and a moment later he heard the soft pad of feet down the hall as they passed by the bathroom door and his sister’s sleepy voice saying, “I’m coming, I’m coming.”

He smiled.

Lily’s demanding cries were a familiar part of Dakota’s morning routine and although he was eager to get a place of his own as soon as possible, fortunately or unfortunately, that would take a while.

Dakota dressed in the clothes he’d laid out earlier, then opened the door to let out the steam while he put product in his hair and tossed the last of his toiletries in his travel kit. He carried the kit into the bedroom, tossing it on his open suitcase as he mentally ran through what he’d need for the team’s road trip.

Reasonably convinced he’d remembered everything, he zipped it shut and set it on the floor, straightened the covers, then took a final look around the room.

It wasn’t home, not exactly, but it was the next best thing. He’d come to Boston in search of a fresh start and a little coddling from his big sister and he’d found so much more. He just hoped he wasn’t overstaying his welcome yet.

He wheeled the luggage into the entryway of the three-bedroom townhouse, then went in search of Violet. He found her standing in the kitchen in her robe, half-asleep and rumpled, her silky blonde hair wadded on her head in a messy bun.

Lily was still finishing her bottle and Dakota reached out and tickled her cheek, smiling at his niece.

“Morning,” he said.

“Morning.” Violet’s voice came out sleep-roughened and low and she cleared her throat before speaking again. “Ready for your trip?”

“Yep. I think I have everything.” Dakota put a slice of sprouted grain bread in the toaster, then pressed it down. “What about you? Are you looking forward to having the place to yourself again for a week or so?”

Violet arched a sculpted eyebrow. “I have a husband and two kids. I’ll hardly be by myself.”

Dakota grinned and pulled a jar of sunflower seed butter out of the cupboard, along with a knife from the drawer. “Fair enough. But surely, you’ll enjoy not having me underfoot.”

“Oh yes,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “You’re such a burden. Cooking meals for us whenever you’re able, cleaning up after yourself, watching the kids so Jeff and I can get an occasional date night … you’re a real nightmare of a houseguest.”

He laughed. “Okay, so it’s not like I’m the worst . I just know you bought this place with the idea of having a quiet, peaceful life and?—”

“And then we were dumb enough to have two children,” she shot back. She grinned down at Lily, her tone turning to playful baby-talk. “Weren’t we? And all that peace and quiet went right out the window, didn’t it?”

Lily gurgled happily around her bottle and Violet glanced up at Dakota with a roll of her eyes. “Stop feeling like a burden, you dummy. We love having you here. You aren’t cramping our style.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jeff said, carrying their toddler in on his hip. “We might get up to all sorts of things in the living room without you here.”

Violet snorted. “Yes, because we did that so often before Dakota and the kids came.”

Jeff grinned at her, pressing a smacking kiss to her temple. “Well, there was one time?—”

“Which we will not be talking about in front of my brother and our children,” she said loudly.

Dakota snickered.

“Seriously, stop stressing,” Jeff said, shifting a sleepy-looking Daisy onto his other hip so he could work the coffee maker. “You’re the only one worried about this.”

“I know.” The toast popped up and Dakota turned away, grabbing a plate to toss it onto. “I don’t want to become a burden though.”

“I’m starting to think we’re cramping your style,” Violet said. “When was the last time you went on a date?”

“Seven years ago,” Dakota said tightly, aggressively slathering his toast with the seed butter. “With Bryce. And look how that turned out.”

“Sorry,” Violet said softly. “I know it’s still a sore spot.”

He tightened his grip on the knife handle and forced himself to take a few deep breaths. “Yeah, but I don’t mean to take it out on you,” he said, when he finally felt under control again.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not, but you’re sweet for saying so. I’m just focused on work right now.” He picked up his plate.

His mind flashed back to the conversations he’d had with Gavin recently. “I might try to get out a little more though. Not looking for romance but …” He gave his sister and brother-in-law a pointed look, then took a big bite of his toast.

Violet nodded. “Some adult time might be good.”

“Daddy,” Daisy said sleepily. “Can we have pan-takes this morning?”

“Sure.” He smiled at her. “I think we can make some pancakes.”

“You want some, Unka Dak-Dak?”

He smiled. Dakota was a mouthful for little ones and he was awfully fond of being called Unka Dak-Dak. “Not today, Daisy. I’m leaving on a road trip with the team.” He crammed another bite of toast in his mouth.

Honestly, he should probably already be on his way out the door. He had a walk to the MBTA station, pick up the train that would take him to the bus station, and then the bus would drop him off at Hanscom Field Airport.

He liked using public transit, but there were always delays and he hated being late.

“Okay.” Daisy sighed and put her head on her father’s shoulder. “I eat the pan-takes for you.”

Dakota laughed, bending down to kiss her cheek. “That’s very nice of you. Love you. I’ll see you when I get back.”

When he straightened, Jeff lifted an eyebrow at him. “Hey, where’s my kiss?”

With a soft laugh, Dakota pressed a kiss to his brother-in-law’s whiskery cheek, then turned to his sister who had a fond look on her face even as she shook her head at their ridiculousness.

God, Dakota loved that she’d found such a great guy. Someone who made her so happy. A guy who looked at her like she was the most beautiful person he’d ever seen, whether she was tired and a little rumpled or her usual polished, elegant self.

Exactly what she deserved.

It was a whirlwind as Dakota finished the final bites of his breakfast, gathered his belongings and opened the door. He grimaced at the sight of the weather, flipped up his hood, then plunged out into it.

It was a miserable day, cold and rainy, with wind that whipped furiously at the hem of his coat as he walked to the train station. He should be used to it after growing up in Seattle, but the weather was so much more extreme in Boston than it was on the west coast.

Thankfully, there was room to huddle under the shelter at the MBTA stop and a few minutes after he arrived, the train pulled up.

On a Sunday morning, it wasn’t terribly crowded, so he dragged his luggage out of the way as best he could, then checked his phone.

Gavin hadn’t responded to the email he sent last night beyond a perfunctory, “Thanks, Dakota. I’ll take a look. -Gavin” and Dakota wondered if he would stick to the plan. He’d certainly seemed sincere yesterday morning, but he was also only one session in.

Once the season got even busier, the flush of newness wore off, and the headaches improved, Gavin might feel less compelled to keep doing it.

Dakota leaned his head against the cool, foggy train window, thoughts drifting to the trip ahead until it was time for him to disembark.

A bus took him to the smaller airstrip on the north side of the city and Gavin was stepping out of his sleek black sports car when Dakota arrived in plenty of time for the charter flight to California.

They boarded the plane on the windy, rainy tarmac, Dakota a few steps behind Gavin.

“Well, can’t say I’ll miss Boston this week,” Gavin admitted as he stepped into the plane, wiping some rain from his face with a grimace.

Dakota grinned, pushing the hood of his raincoat back when he was free of the wind and rain. “Maybe you should dress for the weather.”

Gavin glanced down at his sodden white shirt, which had probably been crisp when he left the house but was now verging on soggy. “I did. But unfortunately it was for California weather.”

Dakota laughed.

A flight attendant greeted them both cheerfully, offering a towel to Gavin and to hang Dakota’s jacket out of the way. They both thanked her, grateful for the assistance.

Dakota followed Gavin as he walked down the aisle to his usual seat.

The table Gavin stopped at seated four and left Gavin facing the back of the plane. He usually worked at his laptop, typing away furiously as he discussed things with the coaches who joined him there.

Dakota kept walking, sliding into the aisle seat in the row he preferred.

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” another flight attendant asked when he was seated. Dakota and Gavin had been some of the first to arrive, so the plane was still mostly empty.

“A green tea, please,” Dakota said gratefully, rubbing his hands together to warm them.

He still wasn’t used to being waited on like this. He was an economy flier, had been his whole life. The charter planes with their cushy comfortable seats, plenty of legroom, and the ability to ask for—and actually receive—anything he wanted, felt decadent.

After stowing his carry-on, Gavin immediately set up his laptop, folding back his damp sleeves into neat cuffs before he tucked earbuds in. His shirt was still slightly translucent from the rain, molding to his body, and Dakota was close enough he could see a few raindrops glistening on his forehead. His hair stuck up every which way from the vigorous towel drying he’d given it, and Dakota hid a smile.

Once again, Dakota wondered what Gavin had thought of the training plan he’d sent last night.

Truthfully, the first session with Gavin had shown him to be both better and worse than expected. Less physically flexible than Dakota had hoped, but more willing to listen to guidance.

It was probably the best-case scenario. Certainly easier to work with than if the reverse had been true.

“Morning. All ready for a week in California?” Leah asked with a bright grin, and Dakota stood to allow her to take the window seat beside him.

“Morning,” he said, tucking his bag under the seat ahead of him and making sure it wasn’t encroaching on her space. “And yeah, it’ll be a nice change of pace.”

They’d become flying buddies pretty early into the season. Once the plane took off, Dakota usually liked to read or nap, and Leah was a hard-core napper so they were well-suited to being seatmates. Before takeoff, they usually caught up and chatted about life.

Danny, the goaltending coach, arrived next, giving them a brief wave before sliding into his seat a few rows ahead of them. He was a talker during flights and sat with Darryl Schultz—the video coach.

The team began filing on soon after. Connor and Jesse arrived together but Connor sat toward the front of the players’ section, while Jesse always headed toward the back to sit with Tanner Clayton.

Today, Connor slid into his seat, tilting his chin up so Jesse could drop a kiss on his lips on the way past.

They’d only come out to the team recently, so Dakota was a little surprised by the easy familiarity of the gesture. Then again, their involvement hadn’t exactly been any great secret from the team, apparently, who’d had a pool on when they’d come out.

Dakota hadn’t known either of them well enough to figure out they were involved, although looking back, it did make sense. Jesse had glowed whenever Connor was around, and Leah had commented a few weeks ago on how much happier Connor seemed this season.

“Hey. Move it, Webby,” Luke Crawford said with a grumble, nudging Jesse forward when he lingered near Connor’s row, smiling at him. “Make out with the captain on your own time. I have a date with a nap.”

Considering the kind of comment Dakota had half-expected from him, that was surprisingly tolerant.

Dakota glanced away to find Gavin looking at him. Their gazes caught and he gave a faint roll of his eyes as he nodded toward Crawford’s retreating back. Dakota smirked, then ducked his head, afraid someone would catch him making fun of a player, no matter how mildly.

A moment later, the attendant arrived with his tea and the plane grew exponentially louder as more guys filed on. Some looked half-asleep, others wide awake as they settled into their seats.

Dakota sipped his green tea and talked to Leah while they went through the pre-flight preparations. She was bemoaning her latest bad date.

“Please tell me it’s easier when you’re a gay man,” she said.

He snorted, lifting his arms so the flight attendant could verify his seat belt was fastened. “Not really. We also have to date men.”

“The hookups have gotta be easier though, right?”

Dakota thought of his conversations with Gavin and grimaced. “Not always.”

“Damn.”

“How would that help you anyway?” he asked, taking a sip of his tea.

“It wouldn’t. But at least I could live vicariously through you.”

“Sorry, I’m no help there either then,” he admitted.

The plane began to taxi on the runway and as he felt the momentary pressure of being forced back into his seat, and the weightless feeling once they finally lifted off the ground, he thought more about what Leah said.

After the way his ex, Bryce, had screwed him over, he had no interest in ever dating again. And well, he wasn’t doing much better than Gavin was for hookups. As far as he knew, he didn’t have a reputation for canceling or anything, but he simply didn’t have the time.

He’d promised his sister he’d try but between the travel and the team, and the side gig he had as a private fitness coach, where would he find the time?

His schedule wasn’t as bad as Gavin’s, but it wasn’t good .

“Wake me up when we’re in California,” Leah muttered, already pulling an eye mask in place and tugging a blanket close around her.

“Nah, leaving you on here.”

She shot him the finger without even lifting her mask and he laughed softly.

Gavin glanced up, quirking an eyebrow at him, and he shrugged. It was impossible to explain from here.

But a moment later, Dakota’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from Gavin. What’s so funny?

Just joking around with Leah.

Isn’t she already asleep? Gavin shot back.

Not quite. She was awake enough to flip me off.

Ahh, friends.

Right? Dakota smiled down at his phone. God, it felt weird to be joking around with Gavin of all people but now that they’d actually lowered their defenses and talked a little, he was starting to realize Gavin had a good sense of humor. He was funny and a little irreverent and it was a nice contrast to his typically stern and intimidating demeanor. Dakota typed out, Hey. Have you had a chance to look at the plan I sent you?

I did, briefly. Planning to study it more on the flight.

Don’t you have Super Important Top Secret GM Stuff? to do?

Ooh, trademarked and everything. Fancy! And yes, I do. But I thought we established me taking care of myself was good for the team?

It is! Dakota fired back. I wasn’t sure if you’d take it to heart.

I’m trying.

Well, that’s the first step.

Pulling your plan up now. Give me a bit.

Take your time.

Don’t tell me that! I work better under pressure.

Dakota smirked. Fine, then I expect your thoughts within the hour.

Done.

Still smiling, Dakota turned off his phone screen and tucked the device away. He pulled out his book but when he sat up, he saw Gavin looking intently at him. Dakota froze, unable to look away until Gavin broke their eye contact and focused on his laptop screen.

Weirdly flustered, Dakota reached for his book.

He put Gavin from his thoughts while he read, and they’d been in the air for about forty-five minutes when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, smiling when he saw it was Gavin.

Task completed.

Impressive. And with time to spare. So, be honest, do you think that’s doable?

I think so, yeah. I’m committed to trying.

Why do I get the feeling there’s little you don’t accomplish once you set your mind to it?

Oh, you might be surprised.

There was nothing more after that, and Dakota wondered if he’d touched a raw nerve.

So he read for a while longer, checked his social media, responded to a few messages, and nibbled on the snack the flight attendant brought, but after, he felt restless. It was roughly a five-hour charter flight from Boston, Massachusetts to San Jose, California and they were barely two hours in.

He walked up and down the aisle a little, guys shooting him vague, distracted smiles when they glanced up from their card games, movies, or books.

Crawford was asleep, snoring quietly and taking up two seats. Behind him, Anker Hendriksen was head-down, rooting around for something under his seat and half-blocking the aisle.

Dakota paused, glancing around. Jesse and Tanner were seated on the other side of that aisle, playing something on their PSPs.

Jesse cackled, triumphantly saying, “Suck it, dude!” to his seatmate.

Tanner scoffed. “Well, I would but you’re apparently all wifed up.”

“Oh, excuse me for falling in love. And, wait, does that make me the wife or Connor the wife?”

Tanner shrugged. “It’s a state of mind, not a specific role. Or should I call you a WAG?”

“I don’t even know what that earlier shit means ,” Jesse said. “And let’s avoid the gendered shit. If there’s one thing I plan to bring with me from Toronto, it’s being a SAP.”

Tanner glanced up. “A what now?”

“Spouse and partner,” Jesse said, still staring at his screen. “That’s what all of the significant others of Fisher Cats players were called, regardless of gender. Charlie made cute little SAP jackets for the playoffs and everything.”

“Nice. Rhinestones?”

“For everyone who wanted them, yeah. Everyone else got like … airbrushed lettering or something. They were totally kitschy but in a classy way. Cause Charlie’s that kinda guy.”

“Fun.”

“Why? You want a bedazzled SAP jacket? You got your eye on a teammate?” Jesse teased.

Anker finally righted himself, muttering an apology to Dakota as he took a seat. Dakota waved it off, still half-listening to the argument as he kept walking.

Tanner sputtered, “Hell no.”

“Sparkles aren’t your style?” Jesse teased.

“It’s less the sparkles than the whole dating-a-teammate shit.”

“Oh God, you sound like Crawford.”

“No! Dude! Fucking take that back!”

Dakota smiled as their voices faded and he stretched his legs.

He generally wasn’t the sort of person who had trouble sitting still, but long flights always made him a little antsy.

Eventually, when Dakota was afraid he was making a nuisance of himself, he sat again and read for a while until they were served lunch. He ate it, grateful no one had batted an eye when he’d requested vegetarian meals at the beginning of the season.

After lunch, he read a little bit more, then stood, stretching.

He caught a glimpse of Gavin looking at him intently before he glanced away. Huh . He seemed to be doing that a lot lately and Dakota wasn’t quite sure what it meant.

After another stroll up and down the aisle of the plane, Dakota used the toilet in the back.

When he came out, he was face-to-face with Gavin.

“Sorry,” Dakota muttered, though he wasn’t sure exactly what he was apologizing for.

The charter flight was roomier than most planes, but Gavin wasn’t a small man and Dakota had to turn sideways to slip by him.

“No, you’re fine. Excuse me .” Gavin pressed a hand briefly to Dakota’s waist as they traded positions, the touch sending an unexpected shiver through him.

Their bodies brushed and Dakota’s skin heated.

He glanced at Gavin, struck once again by the color of his eyes. They were a deep amber with little flecks of mossy green in them.

Dakota froze and Gavin did too, staring right back at him. He licked his lips and Gavin did the same, his gaze trained on Dakota’s mouth.

There was a laugh from the front part of the plane that seemed to shake them both out of their staring contest and Dakota turned away, shakily walking back to his seat.

He couldn’t resist a quick, final glance over his shoulder though and when he did, he found Gavin still looking at him with a thoughtful expression on his face.

As Dakota slipped into his seat, he wondered what the hell that had been about.

In anyone else he would have immediately chalked it up to attraction without questioning it. But even as his brain scrambled for alternate explanations for the way Gavin had been looking at him lately, he couldn’t come up with anything else.

This couldn’t be his imagination. There was something here, right? Some mutual attraction? There had to be.

Dakota didn’t have any intention of doing anything about it but, well, it was flattering to think that he’d managed to catch Gavin’s attention that way.