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“He will.” I tightened the hold of my fingers. “Wherever we go, we’ll work things out.” I probably shouldn’t tell them about his father putting in a word for him with the Seahawks. “If things work out and you sign me, Mr. Lockwood, it won’t be a problem. ”

“Good, because you’re a great fit for next year’s offensive line and I’m not worried about the knee.” Mr. Lockwood set his elbow on the table and rested his cheek in his hand. “I’m thinking about inviting you and Neuman to our development camp.”

“Really?” I tipped forward, my heart soaring. All I needed was a chance.

With a light chuckle, he said, “Yes, really. I have some specific skills I want to see out of you two in tonight’s game. Play with the skill you’ve shown this year and I’ll be in touch.”

Through the speaker, Dean said, “Thank you, Brad. Cummings has a lot of heart and I’m sure you’ll see it out there tonight. He’s more than just a highly skilled winger.”

I stared at the speaker. He felt that way about me? Holy hell. Maybe I should have believed what the guys told me all these years. Though if I had, would I have worked as hard to get where I was? “Thank you, Dean, and thank you, Mr. Lockwood.”

After discussing logistics and going through some questions I’d had, I headed to the locker room for our pregame warmups.

Late in the game, we were up by a goal and feeling pretty good about getting our W against Providence.

I sat on the bench next to Neuman, waiting for another turn on the ice.

Bouncing my leg, I chewed on my mouthpiece.

The players on the ice ran the puck back and forth and weren’t getting anywhere.

There was plenty of time for Providence to score and tie this game.

Neuman leaned in. “I’d be happy as shit to play with you in Seattle, man.”

“Yeah?” I glanced at him. I’d never thought about his feelings. “Me too.” He’d come a long way this year as well. “We’d make a great team, eh? ”

“Hell yes. But don’t get any ideas about me turning gay. I won’t pull a Rowan Mackenzie on you.” He sniggered.

“Right on. I have a boyfriend anyway.” Nodding, heat rushed my cheeks. I’d never let my teammates know about us.

“You do?” He lifted his brows.

“Yeah, Cooper Hayes from the football team.” I nodded slowly, stuffing my hands into my gloves. We’d be going out any second.

“Damn, dude. You scored.” He held his gloved fist to mine, and I bumped it.

“I did.” I caught our line moving toward the boards and Coach tapped my shoulder. “Let’s put the last nail in this coffin, boys.”

“Hell yeah.” I hopped the boards and skated onto the ice, focused on the puck. As I rounded a corner, I smashed their D-man into the glass and grabbed the puck from him.

“Cummings, here. Let’s try the one-two.” Neuman was on my left.

We’d only practiced that shot, but it got the puck past Sutton every time. I skated toward him, shuffling the puck with the blade of my stick. “Go, I’ll be right behind you.”

He took off toward the Providence goal, their goalie crouching and readying for us.

As we reached the blue D-line, I blasted the puck at Neuman.

With a quick flick of his stick, he tossed it back at me.

Glancing at the goal, I angled my stick just so and the puck crawled through the goalie’s five-hole. The red lamps and horns went off.

I pumped my arms in the air. “Fuck yeah! Take that Mr. Fucking Lockwood.” He’d be stupid not to sign us both after seeing that move.

Neuman and Pieterick piled on me with slaps on my back and side-hugs. “No way they’ll win now,” Pieterick said.

After all the post-game rituals, I drove home. We’d won, but I was exhausted and only wanted to talk to Cooper. Plus, Ace and Zoma were home, and I knew they’d have my celly shot waiting for me.

I burst through the door and threw my duffel on the kitchen floor. “Fuck U of A.”

“Damn right, Cummings. You were perfection out there tonight.” Ace stood at the kitchen island with three shots poured on the counter. He handed me one. “You and Neuman are giving me Hopkins, Boehm vibes.” He grabbed another shot and handed it to Zoma, who was smiling and standing next to him.

“That’s quite a compliment, Ace.” Holy fuck, I think I finally believed what they’d been telling me. I held up my shot and my phone buzzed in the breast pocket of my jacket. “Hold on.” I answered a FaceTime call from Cooper.

“Babe, I heard you were en fuego tonight.” His bright smile lit my screen.

“I did pretty well.” I showed him the shot glass. “Ace made Fuck U of A shots.”

Ace leaned his face into my phone. “We gotta keep the tradition alive.”

“That we do.” Cooper snickered. “While you guys drink your shots, let’s hear what Myles has to say about the scout.”

“Sure.” Ace and Zoma held up their shots. We tapped them together and in unison, said, “Fuck U of A.”

After downing the shots, we plunked the empty glasses on the counter.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand as the tangy but sweet liquor lingered in my mouth. “So, about the scout.” I threw each of them a smile, holding the phone’s camera on my face. “Turns out they’re evaluating if they want to bring me to Seattle with Neuman. They like us as a team.”

“I knew it.” Ace pumped his fist and stepped to the refrigerator. “Beers?”

“I’ll take a wine, please.” Zoma’s gaze chased his boyfriend .

“That’s great, babe. So, it means we’ll have a friend to move with us to the great Pacific Northwest?” He grinned into the phone and behind him, the waiting area of the airport came into view.

“It does. Neuman’s a good guy. He’s not queer, but I won’t hold that against him.” I grabbed an opened beer can from Ace.

“So, what’s next? I don’t know much about how hockey contracts work,” Cooper asked.

“What’s next is the scout will talk to the Seattle coaches and my agent and hopefully I’ll get an invitation to development camp.” I tensed my lips. “It’s not a done deal, even if I get invited. I’ll still have to prove myself. But if I don’t?—”

“Stop it, Myles.” Ace clomped his big hand on my shoulder. “There is no but . Don’t even consider it. Be positive. You’ll succeed, and we’ll all be behind you to make sure of it.”

I stared at Ace. He never doubted himself. He even turned down the Redwings for a spot with the Coyotes that hadn’t been guaranteed. He just knew he could get to where he wanted to be. “Okay, Ace. I’ll make it. Whatever it takes, I’ll be a Kraken next year.”

“Damn right, babe. And you know I’ll be right there with you. We’re going to up our game in the gym this summer. The Kraken won’t know what hit ‘em when they see a player with not only great hockey moves, but great football moves.” Cooper’s eyes twinkled through the phone.

I chuckled. “Will you show me how to hit a guy and throw them over my back?” I noticed he did a lot of that in games.

“Hell yes. I’m going to teach you everything I know,” Cooper said.

“He’s got a point there. In figure skating, we use ballet as a backup to help with our sport. And did you see the football player who also plays rugby?” Zoma sipped his white wine.

“Nate Ebner. The guy is a tank.” With a smirk, Ace drank some beer .

“He’s built like you.” Zoma brushed his hand down Ace’s back.

Ace’s mouth went slack as he eyed Zoma. “Wait a minute, you think he’s hot?”

“Well…” Zoma’s cheeks grew pink. “Not as hot as you.”

“Okay. The whole point here is combining the best of two sports can make a person a better player in both, eh.” Shaking my head, I peered into my screen. “Show me how to hit like a footballer, babe. I’m on board.”

“Hell yes. And you can show me how to hit like a hockey player. We’ll be unstoppable.” He gave me a warm grin. “Anyway, I’ve gotta get on the plane now. Love you and I’ll see you soon.” He turned away for a beat. “Yeah, I’m coming, Eli.”

“Love you too. Bye now.” I hung up the call and drew a deep inhale.

He’d be home late, after I was in bed. But I’d be waking up with his hand wrapped around my dick.

It was completely natural to me now. I chuckled to myself and drank more of my beer.

“I’m going to change into my sweats. Can we play NHL when I come back out? ”

“Of course.” Ace gave a knowing look to Zoma. “Babe, can you be the goalie tonight?”

With a huff, Zoma said, “Sure.”

A few weeks later, I sat at the kitchen table with Cooper, studying for our spring midterms. We’d both gone home to Chicago for the holidays to see Tyler and Rowan and spend time with our families.

I’d also spent a weekend in Seattle meeting with the Kraken organization.

It had all seemed like a dream. Cooper’s regular season was over, and he was preparing for the NFL scouting combine, which was next week in Indianapolis.

ASU fell short in this year’s Frozen Four championship, but I was satisfied with our season. And then Cooper was kicking my ass in the gym. No surprise there, but I was excited to see what his training would do for my game.

“Babe, on this lead generation thing. What sort of white paper would you use?” Cooper tapped a mechanical pencil against the side of his head, his face stuck in his open laptop.

“Uh, I think it depends on the type of company and what you’re selling as your expertise.” This class had turned out harder than I’d thought, but it would prepare me for what I might face on social media once I hit the NHL. I watched him, my heart warming.

My phone buzzed over and over on the table beside my laptop.

I glanced at it. Dean Wilson scrolled across the top. “Shit, it’s my agent.” With my pulse stammering, I nabbed the phone, fumbled it and then answered. “Hello?” I pressed the phone to my ear.

“Myles, good news. We have a deal with the Kraken,” Dean said.

“A-a deal?” As my stomach flounced, I stared at Cooper, who looked at me with a grin spreading over his lips.

“Yes, they want you and Neuman. They’re trading some players and decided to sign you both.”

My jaw dropped. “You mean it’s not just an invitation to development camp? It’s a real contract?” This meant we’d be moving to Seattle after graduation.

“They’re all real, Myles.” Dean chuckled. “You’re getting a two-year entry level contract. They liked what they saw this season and they want a firm deal.”

“Okay.” I swallowed hard, my heart climbing into my throat. All the hard work had finally paid off. “S-so…”

“Pack your bags, Myles. And let your boyfriend know to pack his too.” In a lower voice, Dean said, “You didn’t hear this from me, but I have a friend who’s a scout with the Seahawks and they can’t wait to see what Cooper can do on the field at the combine. ”

“Are you shitting me?” With an open-mouthed smile, I crept my gaze to Cooper, watching me intently.

“I shit you not.” Dean chuckled. “Your father has already seen the contract and thinks it’s solid. I’ll send it to you for eSign. Let me know if you have questions when you get it.”

“I will.” I scraped my teeth over my lower lip. “Thank you so much for taking a chance on me, Dean.” He’d seen something in me I hadn’t, and it had made all the difference.

“You’re welcome, Myles. You’re doing a great job. Keep it up and I’ll stay in touch.”

“I will. Talk to you later. Bye.” I ended the call.

“Well?” Cooper hopped from his chair and strutted to me. “Am I dating an official NHL player now?”

Setting my phone down, I stood. “Guess so, eh.” I threw my arms around his shoulders and squeezed, burying my face in his neck. “I can’t fucking believe it.”

“Believe it, babe.” He kissed the side of my head.

As I freed him, I stepped back, dropping my hands to his hips. “Dean also said his buddy with the Seahawks will watch you at the combine.”

He lifted the edge of his lips. “Of course they are. Dad wouldn’t let us down. You know that.” He pressed a warm kiss on my lips. “I told you I’d follow you anywhere and I will. I keep my promises.”

Could I love this man any more? As my eyes stung, I said, “You’re the best boyfriend a man could ever have.”

“Got that right.” He hugged me to his chest.