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“The pleasure is mine.” Dad eyed Zoma. “I hear you’ve started quite a coaching program for kids who want to get into figure skating.”

“Yes, it’s coming along. It helps when you’ve got the backing of a hockey team and some players.” Clasping his hands over his heart, Zoma beamed at Dad.

I stared at them. How the hell much had Cooper told Dad? He wouldn’t have known about Zoma through the league, right?

“Anyway, Zoma, you should leave to make the game. Is Leo meeting you there?” Cooper walked to the coffee table, picked up the television remote and powered it on.

“Oh, yes. I’m going to change into Ace’s jersey and head out.” With a giggle, he sauntered into the hallway.

“Son, you’ve got some good friends here.” Dad threw me a warm smile. “And I’m happy you found Cooper, eh.” He patted Cooper’s forearm.

“Thanks, Dad.” Warmth floated from my chest to my cheeks. Cooper had won Dad over.

Later that evening, the three of us sat on the couches and watched the game, with Cooper again at my feet and Dad on Cooper’s sofa. Thai takeout containers littered the coffee table. We’d tidy up after the game. The Coyotes were ahead by one and Hopkins grabbed the puck from Mackenzie.

Hodge darted toward him, smashing Hopkins into the boards and knocking him on his ass .

“Fuckin’ A, serves you right, Hopkins. Nobody gets through Mackenzie and Hodge.” I laughed and sipped a beer. This was just like old times, when I’d watched them play from the bench.

“Who do you want to win?” Cooper adjusted my ice pack. The guy couldn’t leave it alone.

“I don’t know. I’m a Blackhawks fan, but three of my old buddies play for the Coyotes.

” And the game was turning into a contest between the best offense in Hopkins, Jarvis and Volkov versus the best defense with Hodge and Mackenzie.

Realistically, it would come down to the better goalie, and I knew Ace was it.

Dad threw me a stiff glare. “Blackhawks, Myles. Don’t be a traitor.” He drank some beer.

“Fine, Blackhawks. Don’t want to start a family fight.” I chuckled. When was the last time I’d sat and watched a game with Dad? I turned my gaze on Cooper. Or my boyfriend. Usually, one of us was playing.

The Blackhawks center ran the puck down the ice toward Ace, passing the puck on either side of his stick.

Dashing from a corner, Carlson appeared at his side and swiped at the puck.

The center faked a pass and shot toward the net.

Falling to the ice, Carlson splayed out in front of Ace.

“Right on, Carlson. That’s it!” I shifted and my knee twinged. Damnit, I had to sit still.

Ace picked the puck out of the air and shook his head.

Pointing at the television, I said, “Ace is chirping at the center.” I freed a soft laugh. “He’s probably telling him he’s seen better shots in Mini Mites or some shit.” I drank more beer.

“What’s that?” With a grin, Cooper turned to me.

“It’s the youngest level of the youth hockey league.” With a shake of his head, Dad chuckled. “Too bad I have to go home tonight. I’d love to meet these guys.”

“Someday, Dad, you will.” I gave him my best smile. I’d never brought my friends around my family much. Now it was like a new world unfolded. I was seeing a different side of my dad. He was sort of fun to watch hockey with. “Love you, Dad.” I popped my eyes open. Holy shit, I said that out loud?

With his eyes twinkling, Dad said, “Love you too, son.”

The Coyotes won the game, three to two, a few hours later, and Dad said his goodbyes to Cooper and me. Now we waited for the guys to get here. The game had been an earlier one, so it wasn’t too late yet and hell, it wasn’t like I had a morning skate to be at.

A few car lights flashed through the front window. “Shit, they’re here.” Were they all coming at once?

Cooper jumped from the couch and jogged to the door. “There’s like four cars out there.” He threw the front door open. “They’re here babe.”

One by one, each of my friends entered, greeting Cooper with fist bumps and slaps on the back.

No way I was sitting on this damn couch any longer. I swung my legs over the edge and balanced on one leg to stand.

Tyler came at me, his dirty brown hair framing his familiar brown eyes. He held a bottle of champagne in his hand. “Dude, what the hell are you doing?” He grabbed my crutches from the end of the sectional and handed them to me. “Are you sure you’re supposed to be standing?”

“I’ve been sitting on my ass for hours.” I eyed the bottle. “Are we celebrating?” I chortled. “Because the Blackhawks lost, eh.” As I tucked the crutches into my armpits, I stepped toward him.

“Yeah, we’re celebrating. The party was supposed to be for you, but then you went and fucked yourself up.” Tyler side-hugged me. “I missed you, man.”

“Missed you too.” My body buzzed with warmth as my gaze landed on Mason, Ace, and Zoma in the kitchen, setting down vodka and fruit juice bottles. “What are you guys making?”

“Never you mind.” Mason threw me a wicked grin and turned it on Ace. “I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have grapefruit juice in it.”

“The guy said it did. Just a splash.” Ace set a large glass on the kitchen island.

“Fine, I’ll let you handle it. If it’s not right, I’m blaming you.” Mason strode to me, gave me a swift hug, and looked me up and down. “How the hell did you let a fucking scooter get you?” He planted his hands on his hips. “You’re a forward. You should have better reflexes than that.”

With a sharp chuckle, I said, “It’s not like I tried to get hit.” The teasing was only getting started. I was sure of it.

Jett strolled to me with a bubbling, golden drink in his hand. Was he drinking the champagne? I scanned the kitchen.

Pouring champagne into glasses, Tyler laughed and chatted with Zoma and Cooper around the kitchen island.

Would anyone get me a drink? Archer caught my eye, standing with Leo and holding onto another bottle of champagne. “Hey, I’m a little thirsty over here.”

With a wide grin, Archer stepped to me and wound his arms around my shoulders, then released me. “It’s good to see you, Myles. I’m so sorry about what happened. And the scout?” He scoffed. “It’s bad timing.”

“If the guy knows what’s good for him, he’ll meet with Myles when he’s back on the ice.” Mason picked up a juice bottle and attempted to pour it into the glass Ace was working on.

Ace slapped his hand away. “Stop it, Hopkins. You’re going to ruin it.” His gaze found Jett. “Jarvis, get over here and remove your man from my immediate vicinity.”

Mason cackled. “Oh, them’s some big words?—”

“Mason, come over here and sit down.” With a huff, Jett grabbed Mason’s arm and led him to the couch.

Cooper approached my side with a drink in his hand. “Babe, I don’t want you standing up for so long. Have a seat, I’ll bring you a fresh icepack.”

I dropped my jaw open. “All I want is a fucking drink.” How did everyone have one but me? Puffing out a breath, I dropped into the sectional, set my crutches beside me, and spread my bad leg in front of me.

“There, that’s it.” With a satisfied grin, Ace sipped from the glass and twisted to grab shot glasses from a cupboard. As he poured the mixture into the shot glasses, Leo, Archer and Rowan grabbed them and handed them out.

Archer held a glass to me. “Here you go, Myles. We made you a Fuck U of A shot. We believe doing this shot together tonight, like old times, will give you the luck you need to get back on the ice and be scouted by the Kraken.” His lips curled into a broad smile. “It’s magic.”

“It’s our new superstition.” Mason stood behind me and held his shot glass up.

My eyes pricked. These guys… “Yeah?” I held up my shot. “Fuck U of A.”

We all tapped our glasses together, and I downed my drink, the sweet liquid tickling my insides. It tasted exactly the same as in the gay bar. “How the hell did you do this?” I swung my gaze to Ace and Zoma, sitting on an end of the sectional.

With a mischievous grin, Zoma said, “We had the idea at the game, and Leo and I stopped in at the bar before we came home. We begged the bartender for the recipe.” His eyes twinkled. “We told him he’d be helping ASU go back to the Frozen Four this year if he gave it to us.”

“The guy was a hockey fan.” Shaking his head, Leo chuckled. “I guess the guy noticed you and wanted to hook up with you, but he never got the chance because he was always working.”

“Really?” I stared at them. Shit, I wanted another shot, be we only had one during a celly. I didn’t want to undo what they’d just done for me.

Cooper peered at me and sat beside me. “You are never going to that bar without me.” His brow arched.

My gaze cut to his. “Why?”

With a scoff, Cooper said, “I don’t want the bartender looking at you. You’re mine.” With a soft grin, he pressed a long kiss on my lips. “And don’t you forget it.”

“Who’s playing goalie tonight?” Ace brought the opened bottles of champagne and more glasses to the table.

“Not me.” Mason wrapped an arm around Jett’s shoulders.

“I will. I’m pretty good at it.” Cooper blew on his fingernails and drank some champagne, wagging his brows at me.

Archer patted my shoulder from behind and leaned down. “Hey, I’m going to get you some state-of-the-art knee therapies that will get you back on the ice in four weeks, tops. Maybe even three.”

“Are you serious?” Archer studied exercise science, and his father was an NHL coach. He knew things.

“Hell yeah.” He flashed me a warm smile.

“Don’t worry, Myles, you’re going to get the best treatment plans from the Blackhawks too.” Tyler dropped beside me on the other side of Cooper. “I love you, man.” He rested his head on mine.

“Love you, too.” I sighed. I sure hoped they were right. But tonight, I wouldn’t worry about it.