Page 24

“Good talk, O’Shea,” Gavin said, giving him a friendly slap on the back. “I know we dropped a few points in the last couple of games, but I feel like we’re onto something this season.”

“I do too,” Connor said.

“Sorry if this ran a little long.” Gavin reached for the handle of the door on his office. “I know you need to get home to the kids and I can be a little long-winded.”

Connor shrugged. They were with the grandparents. They’d be fine. “Call it thorough, and it’s a positive,” he said aloud.

Gavin laughed. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”

He stepped into the hall and Connor followed. But, to his surprise, Gavin stopped in his tracks. If Connor hadn’t been standing so close, he might not have noticed the sudden tightening of his shoulders and the short, sharp indrawn breath.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” Gavin said hoarsely.

Connor followed his gaze to the man leaning against the desk of Gavin’s executive assistant, Amelia Nicholson. He was clearly flirting with her, based off the way he leaned one hip against the desk, leaning in and laughing at something she said.

Connor studied the stranger as he slowly straightened, turning to face Gavin.

“Is that any way to greet your long-lost twin brother?” he drawled.

“I asked what you’re doing here, Thad,” Gavin said tightly. “I expect an answer.”

“And you never answered my question either,” Thad said, his dark eyes dancing with amusement.

Connor glanced between them. Twins, huh? Clearly not identical, because although they both had dark eyes and dark hair, they didn’t look exactly alike.

Gavin’s beard and hair were flecked with silver but Thad’s weren’t. Gavin was an inch or so shorter and broader through the shoulders than his brother. Their faces were different too, similar enough to warrant a double take, but on closer inspection, Thad had a longer face and more angular features.

Wild . Connor had no idea Gavin had a brother, much less a twin.

“I asked what you want, Thad,” Gavin said in an icy tone. “Please answer me.”

Thad rolled his eyes, strolling over and holding out a hand to Connor. “Thad Racine.”

“Uh, nice to meet you,” Connor managed. “Connor O’Shea.”

“Great goal in the game against Seattle.” His gaze lingered on Connor, sweeping over his body with a heated, appreciative look.

“Thanks.”

Gavin looked more and more agitated by the minute. “Will you please get to the point, Thad. What in the hell are you doing here?”

“Uhh.” Connor cleared his throat because he really felt like he was in the middle of something he did not wanna be a part of. “I’m gonna head home. See you tomorrow, Gavin.”

Gavin nodded, finally looking away from his brother. “Have a good one.”

Connor beat a hasty retreat and heard Amelia say, “You know, I think I’m going to run to the restroom. I’ll be back shortly if you need me, Gavin.”

“Thanks,” he said tightly. “Appreciate it.”

She hurried down the hall after Connor and they exchanged identical looks of “oh shit, what was that about?” before she ducked into the restroom.

Just as Connor reached the end of the hall and turned toward the stairs, he heard Thad say, “Fine. If you won’t say it’s nice to see me, I’ll say it’s nice to see you. And I’m here because I finally got cleaned up and I’m looking for a job.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Gavin asked.

“I was hoping you could find me a position with the Harriers.”

Connor rounded the corner and their voices grew too muffled to hear.

Holy shit , Connor mouthed to himself. He had no idea what was going on with the Racine family but clearly, the brothers had some shit to work out.

He couldn’t wait to get home to tell Jesse about it.

When Connor let himself into the house, he was greeted by the scent of beef stew and the sight of Jesse playing a card game on the floor with the girls while Nolan read on the couch. For a brief second, before they registered his presence, Connor stared at them, watching Jesse smile at something Evie said, Maura perched on his lap, slapping at the cards with a gleeful look.

“I won!” she said, holding her arms up in triumph.

“No fair,” Evie pouted. “You have Jesse !”

“But I’m little and I’m just learning.”

Nolan was the first to glance up. “Dad!” he said. “You’re home.”

“Yeah.” Connor shut the door behind him. “Sorry, I know I’m running late.”

“It’s okay,” Nolan said. “We’ve got things under control here.”

“I see that,” Connor said, kicking off his shoes.

“Daddy!” Evie leaped up, running over to him.

He hauled her up into a hug and squeezed her tightly. “Missed you, Peanut,” he whispered.

“Missed you too.” She settled her head on his shoulder and he carried her over to where Jesse and Maura were still sitting on the floor.

He set Evie down and Maura scrambled out of Jesse’s lap so Connor could pull her in for a hug too.

“What’s all this?” he said, gesturing to the game. He peeled off his coat, then tossed it on a nearby chair.

“Well,” Jesse said, tilting his head back to look up at Connor with a smile. His eyes were bright, his face happy. “We finished prepping dinner so we figured we’d play Moose Match Mayhem.”

Connor had a sudden urge to lean down and press his lips to Jesse’s then smooth a hand through his hair. He settled for giving Jesse a friendly tap on the shoulder. Not the same, but it would have to do.

“Wow, sounds like a busy afternoon and evening,” Connor said.

Jesse gave him another smile. “You’re telling me. But dinner should be ready in about twenty minutes.”

“Well, sounds like I should have time to play a round or two with you then. You wanna be my partner, Evie?” he asked, taking a seat on the floor next to her.

“Sure!”

The game was supposed to be for kids who were seven years old and up and after watching her cousins play, Evie had begged for it. She was clever and had mastered it quickly. Maura was also obsessed with it, loving the animals, so as long as she had a partner to remind her of the rules and help out, she did well too.

Maura settled on Jesse’s lap again and he pressed an absentminded kiss to the top of her head. She tilted her chin up, smiling at him.

Connor’s heart suddenly ached because fuck, he wanted this. He wanted Jesse and the girls and Nolan in his life as much as possible and he didn’t want Jesse to ever leave. He wanted a future with him.

And Connor didn’t have a hope or a prayer of making that happen.

Somehow, Connor made it through the evening. He played a couple of rounds of Moose Match Mayhem. Nolan had joined them after he’d finished his reading.

Now, Connor sat at the table, laughing when the girls excitedly described how they’d helped Jesse make the stew. “It’s delicious,” he’d assured them, and it really was. It was the same old recipe he always used, the one from his mother, but it did something to him when he thought about Jesse cooking with the girls.

“Good call on sharing the recipe app,” Jesse said while they cleared the table. “It makes it easy on the days I get home before you.”

Connor nodded, deciding not to mention to Jesse that it had been Viv’s suggestion when they were still married, because she was annoyed that even when he was home, he rarely cooked because he had no idea what she’d planned or what was on the menu for the night. “That reminds me,” he said instead. “I’ve got a thing in a couple of days actually. A signing.”

“Ooh,” Jesse said. “Fancy.”

“I guess. Mostly just sitting at a conference table and scribbling on about a thousand fucking pucks until my hand cramps.”

“Yeah, you should’ve seen me after the Cup win,” Jesse said with a wink. “You won’t believe the things I’ve signed.”

Connor smirked, but Evie looked up from the ice cream she was eating. “Like what? I wanna know.”

Jesse got a panicked look on his face—probably because it was a lot of tits, pecs, and asses—then blurted out, “A goldfish bowl.”

“Really?” Evie laughed. “That’s silly.”

“So silly. But that’s what happens when you run into someone on their way out of the pet store.”

“Did you know goldfish get sick in bowls? They’re much happier in tanks.”

“I did not know that,” Jesse said. “But I’ll remember if I ever get a fish.”

“Can we get a fish, Daddy?” Evie asked.

Connor groaned because he could have seen this coming. Though it was still better than explaining Jesse’s autograph was probably tattooed on half a dozen people’s bodies. “Uhh, not right now, Peanut. And remember, you already have a pony .”

“I know, but Biscuit’s not here. He lives at the boarding stable.”

Jesse glanced around, nodding. “Yeah, there’s not much space for a horse here, huh? Do you think we could sneak him in the basement? Set up a stall there?”

Evie giggled and Maura joined in and then they were all laughing and Connor had to stop himself from reaching out to grab Jesse and kiss him senseless.

Why did he have to be so damn great with the kids? It would be so much easier if he wasn’t.

Those thoughts played like a refrain through Connor’s head as he got the girls settled in bed. They demanded Jesse be there for bedtime stories and Connor sternly tried to tell his heart to behave when Jesse kissed Maura’s forehead and tucked her in.

But the damn thing didn’t want to listen.

After, Jesse, Connor, and Nolan went down to the basement and watched a bit of a hockey game between St. Louis and Chicago. As soon as it was over, Connor reminded his son it was time for bed.

He went, but before he did, he stopped in front of Jesse, who’d been stretching on the floor. “Um, thanks for everything earlier.”

“Yeah, any time.” Jesse rose to his feet and hugged Nolan. “You’ve got this. And keep me updated.”

“Thanks. I will.” Nolan shot him a fleeting smile, then disappeared upstairs.

Connor stared, open-mouthed. “What the hell was that?” he asked after they could no longer hear Nolan moving around.

Jesse shrugged. “Guy stuff.”

“Guy stuff?” Connor sputtered. “I’m a guy! What did you talk about? Why didn’t he come to me?”

“Connor,” Jesse said, walking over and taking a seat beside his legs, which were stretched out on the ottoman. “Nolan came to me in confidence about something.”

Connor opened his mouth to protest but Jesse held up a hand.

“No. Hear me out. It’s nothing dangerous. He’s not in trouble. He’s just dealing with some normal teenage stuff and wanted my advice. I told him I don’t like keeping secrets from you but that I would respect his privacy. I swear, if it was something I thought would get him hurt or in trouble, I’d break that confidence but it’s not . Let him come to you if and when he’s ready.”

Connor snapped his mouth shut and stared at Jesse because … holy fuck. He wasn’t just surprised Nolan had come to Jesse first, though that was a shock. But the way Jesse talked, how mature and responsible he seemed, how careful he was, how good he was with his son … he hadn’t expected any of that.

But maybe he should have. There was a lot more to Jesse than Connor had realized at first.

“I …” Connor said, then sighed, deflating. “Okay. I trust you.”

Jesse smiled, settling a hand on his thigh. “Do you?”

“Yeah,” Connor said honestly. “I really do. And thank you for being there for Nolan when he needed someone.”

It stung, knowing his son didn’t wanna talk to him about whatever this was. They’d always talked about everything. Connor didn’t have a clue what it could be but if this was what Nolan wanted—what he needed —Connor would have to let Nolan come to him in his own time.

And really, there were far, far worse people Nolan could turn to. Although … “It wasn’t sex advice, right?”

“What happened to trusting me?”

“I do, I just wanna be sure my son isn’t looking for tips on how to have a threesome or something.”

Jesse made a face. “I wouldn’t give him advice on that. Not until he’s a bit older anyway.”

Connor snorted. “Well, that’s something.”

“He’s a good kid, Connor. You should be proud of him.”

“I am.”

“Well, make sure he knows.”

“I—”

“He needs to hear it right now, okay?” Jesse’s expression was unusually serious. “Make sure he knows you’ll love him no matter what. That you’ll be proud of him.”

Connor frowned. “Jesse …”

“Just listen, please. Nolan’s feeling a bit … vulnerable right now. You don’t have to know why. Just give him some extra support.”

Connor bit his tongue because this was his kid Jesse was talking about. Who was he to lecture Connor about how to raise his children? But … but there had to be a reason Nolan had gone to Jesse in the first place. Why he hadn’t come to Connor.

This was hard, but he’d have to do it. He’d have to let this unfold in its own time. “Okay,” Connor said, letting out a breath. “Okay. I’ll do that.”

“Now,” Jesse said, sidling a little closer. “What do you say we make out for a bit?”

Connor laughed. “I thought we’d agreed no sex in the house when the kids are home.”

“Making out isn’t sex. We’ll stay fully dressed.”

Connor shot him a skeptical look because he trusted Jesse about as far as he could throw him when it came to this . But … damn, his mouth was tempting. “Come here,” Connor said with a sigh.

“Hey! Don’t sound so annoyed by the idea of kissing me,” Jesse teased.

Connor grinned and tugged him forward until he was half draped over Connor’s chest. “Always trying to lead me into temptation, you little demon …” he whispered before he cupped Jesse’s cheek and leaned in for a kiss.

They made out until Connor’s lips tingled and he couldn’t resist sliding a hand down to cup Jesse’s cock. But Jesse settled a hand on his chest, licking his lips. “We shouldn’t. The kids …”

And Connor had to concede he was right.

It was late, and they needed to get ready for bed soon, so he turned off the TV—the postgame commentary had ended a while ago—and tidied a few things around the house. But when he turned to go up the stairs, he suddenly hated the thought that Jesse wouldn’t be right beside him while he slept.

“Come up to my room once you’re ready for bed,” he said, feeling impulsive.

Was it stupid? Yes. Was it risky? Also yes. Did he care? Not particularly.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Jesse asked, his expression skeptical.

“No,” Connor admitted. “But I want it anyway.”

Jesse’s face lit up and he pressed a hand to Connor’s chest, leaning in to kiss him thoroughly. “I’m such a bad influence on you.”

“Yeah, you are,” Connor agreed when he drew back. “C’mon.”

Fifteen minutes later, as Connor slid into bed and waited for Jesse to appear, he admitted he was behaving recklessly. The girls were in the room beside his and there was a very real chance Maura could have a nightmare and come knocking on his door.

But he’d grown accustomed to Jesse’s soft breathing beside him while he slept. He liked the heat of his body and the cute little noises he made as he settled into sleep.

Connor was falling in love with Jesse.

And while he knew, he knew , he should put an end to this instead of letting it grow even deeper, he wanted it anyway.

For once in his fucking life, he wanted something just for himself. He’d been a good son, a good brother, a good teammate. He’d been a good father and a good—well, maybe mediocre—husband. But he’d always thought about the people in his life first. Every decision he made had been weighed against how it would impact the team, how it would impact their Cup potential.

Now, selfishly, with no thought to everyone else it could impact, he wanted this stolen time with Jesse.

He wasn’t delusional enough to think Jesse was in love with him too. But maybe that was okay. Maybe not everything had to be wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end. Maybe this didn’t have to lead to marriage and a family.

He had his kids and he loved them and maybe it was okay if he had this thing with Jesse until whenever it ended. Maybe it was okay if he enjoyed something that made him feel good.

The door opened quietly and Jesse crept in, dressed in soft-looking pajamas and a T-shirt. He shut the door behind him, then hesitated like he thought Connor might have changed his mind.

“Hey,” Connor said thickly, then peeled back the covers in silent invitation.

Jesse locked the door, then climbed into bed, immediately sliding close and slinging his leg over Connor’s thigh. “Hey,” he whispered against Connor’s mouth.

And then they were kissing again, like they were picking up where they’d left off earlier. Only now, Jesse’s mouth tasted of mint and Connor let his hands roam up under Jesse’s shirt. Jesse made a quiet sound of protest when Connor gently cupped his dick.

“Do you want this?” Connor asked softly, kissing his neck and letting his teeth graze a sensitive spot before he drew back.

Jesse nodded, his eyes wide and surprised. “Do you? You were the one who put the ‘no sex while the kids are in the house’ rule in place.”

“I changed my mind,” Connor admitted.

Jesse gave him a long, searching look, then nodded, pulling him closer.

Connor thought about licking his palm and stroking Jesse’s cock, then thought better of it, rolling Jesse onto his back and tugging down his pajamas and underwear. Jesse wasn’t fully hard yet, but Connor took him in his mouth and swallowed him down, a little clumsy but eager to taste him again.

He felt a little drunk on the scent of Jesse’s skin as he bobbed over him, loving the way he grew harder with every flick of Connor’s tongue.

Jesse let out a muffled gasp and Connor glanced up the length of his body to see him biting his own arm. He knocked Jesse’s arm aside, pushing his fingers into Jesse’s mouth and letting him suck.

Jesse let out a pleased noise, swirling his tongue around Connor’s fingers in a way that reminded Connor of when Jesse sucked his cock.

Ooh, he had an even better idea.

He slid away from Jesse, who made a wounded little noise, but Connor shushed him, shucking off his own clothing as quickly as possible before he settled on his side on the bed, head by Jesse’s feet. Jesse’s smile brightened and he immediately reached for Connor, pulling him close.

It took Connor a moment to get all of their limbs positioned right until they ended up half on their sides. Connor pushed Jesse’s leg up and out of the way so he could reach his cock better and he had a moment of gratitude for Jesse’s flexibility before Jesse took his cock in his mouth and he couldn’t think at all.

It should have been awkward, trying to focus on giving Jesse pleasure while Jesse did his damndest to get Connor off in record time, all while trying to remain quiet. But it felt natural. There was this perfect feedback loop of his pleasure and Jesse’s blending together, egging the other on and when Connor finally came, thighs shaking and abs drawn tight, he greedily drank Jesse’s release, then pulled off, gasping and pressing his cheek to Jesse’s muscular thigh.

With Jesse’s help, he got turned around the right way and lay back, chest still heaving when Jesse cuddled close.

Lightheaded from the orgasm and dizzy with his feelings, Connor pressed their foreheads together, breathing Jesse in, hating the way his eyes felt damp at the thought of ever losing this.

But Jesse kissed him softly, gently, and all Connor could do was be grateful he had him for a little while.