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I’d been thinking about the plan for weeks, which was wild because we had only been together for weeks . I just wanted to experience everything I hadn’t been able to, but had seen the world promote to me ever since I was young. Going on dates, vacations, exchanging gifts, and time with each other. I’d missed out on so much, and I hadn’t even noticed. I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything, not until I fell for Wren, that’s when I knew I was so behind on life.

Our bond continued to grow as we played together. Saturday nights were nights we spent together and discovered each other on an intimate level. I was becoming more confident in myself sexually. I had so much stamina on the ice, but in the bedroom, I wasn’t so lucky. I’d been cumming quite quickly, although Wren didn’t consider it a problem at all. Sundays were for playing, where I would attempt to implement something I’d read about. Picnics in his bedroom, drawing murals on my back, and card games with cartoons representing the suits, he enjoyed that a lot, with the winner always being him, even if it would’ve been me.

The Orcas had been on a winning streak except for the two games we drew. We weren’t at the top of the tournament, two other teams were playing better in terms of goal scored, and that made a world of difference. There was one final event before winter break and it was a non-conference tournament taking place in Boston, a round-robin event.

The event was done for mostly teams in the North East, mainly New England, but occasionally there were teams from across the entirety of the US that were wild card entries, like the Brynn Ice Dragons from California, or the Bellport Bobcats in Louisiana. I liked going up against those teams because I was always so sure they were the worst. I mean, they rarely ever got snow and their lakes never iced over where they were at.

“I’m all packed,” Wren announced to me over the phone. His nose was pink and his cheeks flushed from the cold. “I’m so excited to visit Boston and maybe take a little trip around some of the famous places.”

“Oh, well, as long as the team keeps winning, like we have been, I doubt we’re gonna have time,” I told him as I stuffed another thick pullover into my duffle bag.

The tournament was set to take place over the weekend, which gave us some time to explore, but coach was going to have us in game mode as much as possible. The game didn’t count for points, but there was a trophy for winners, and there was the bragging rights and media coverage. My entire life was about getting media coverage to get scouted, it was all our goals.

* * *

We lasted a single game. That’s all it took. One of fucking Ivy’s absolutely mashed our team. This wasn’t a play three teams, win two out of three and keep going forward in the competition type of game. We were eliminated. Done.

It was the first loss we’d experienced this season as a team. Everyone patted me on the back, calling me Lucky, like they always did when I got those tricky shots in the goal. And I felt lucky for not having this loss on the record, but we’d traveled all the way to Boston, we’d been so vocal about coming back with the trophy.

Laid on the hotel bed, watching the rotating fan above me on a slow twirl. I was absolutely pissed. This entire event had been for nothing.

Wren cuddled up to me. “It’s ok, baby,” he said. “It should be illegal for ivy league schools to take part in these events.”

I wrapped my arm around him, pulling his head up to my chest. “You’re right. It should be. I just—I’m sorry I’m being an absolute kill joy right now.”

He lifted his head and forced eye contact with me. “Listen here,” he said, forcing his brows into a cute little scowl. “You’re allowed to feel things. You should feel them. It’s what makes you know you’re not a monster. So, wallow, feel sad, but I know you’re gonna be able to pull yourself back from it. It’s just who you are. You’re sweet, kind, so full of love and light that this is just a little bit of darkness that will vanish when you stop holding onto it.”

Tilting my head to look at him. I couldn’t believe he’d said something quite so—profound? I didn’t know what, but it influenced me. Like a knock to the head, or the first spike of icy cold water from the showerhead. “Just let it go,” I whispered.

“Well, don’t start, I only just got those lyrics out of my head.”

I leaned in to kiss him. “You are the most perfect guy. You know what to say, you know how to say it, and best of all, you let me exist with my feelings, all of them. I don’t feel like I must hide them away from you.”

“You’ve never had to hide them from me.”

“I know, I’m just now appreciating it.”

It was a surprise that I was so guarded considering I wasn’t playing on the defense. I closed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. This was one of the lowest points so far, after having a high hitting season, to fail at a conference that didn’t even matter. It was almost hilarious the stock I’d put into it.

“Thankfully winter break is almost here, so we can go rest, relax, and something else beginning with an R. I don’t know what, but yeah,” he said.

“That’s true. Two weeks of bliss together. It’ll be the first time we’ll be spending the night for fourteen nights all in a row.”

Wren was giddy, trying his best to tickle me. “Ok, now, I know what will make you feel better, how about we go to the museums and get coffee, and cakes, apparently there’s a really good bakery nearby.”

“Yeah, let me go check with coach to see if he’s got any plans beforehand,” I said, shuffling out from under him. “But I think cake is a good call right now.” I headed to the hotel door, stretching out my limbs. I should’ve been on the ice, getting a workout in against the other teams.

As I opened the door, I heard whispering voices. And down the hall, Liam stood with Dom pressed against the wall. I nearly called out to them, trying to diffuse the situation before I saw them kissing, and then slide into an open hotel room.

“Wren,” I whispered, stepping back into the room. “You are not—well, you are gonna believe what I just saw. I—I don’t know how I never saw it.”

“What? What? Is everything ok?”

I kept my voice low. “I just Liam and Dominic kissing out in the hallway. How did you even know that?”

Wren’s slack jawed expression stared up at me. “Oh. I didn’t know they were, but I—I mean, I see things. You know, people act normal around me because nobody usually notices me when I’m there, so they don’t stop what they’re doing.”

“You saw them kiss before?”

“Not exactly, but I saw them touching each other. Like their bums, I just thought it was one of those greetings people did. And my mind was already going wild thinking they were a couple, so I—”

I could only laugh at the situation. Wren had written thousands of words all about Liam and Dom, and here they were acting it out for him, although he wasn’t the one who’d seen, and I doubt they’d seen me sneak back into my room.

“I think they make a cute couple,” Wren said. “Does that mean there’s no training then?”

“I guess so.”

He hooked his arm around mine, squeezing it tight. “Perfect! Since we have all day, I’m going to add more things to the list.”

Before he could get too carried away, I copied his squeeze, pulling him in close. “You’re adorable. But we don’t have to do too much, I’d still like to mope a little, if I can.”

“Mhm, ok,” he said. “How about I let you hold Bloo today?” He tried his best to pull me over to his bag, but I was planted. “He always helps me when I’m sad. You’ve just got to—uh—move.” He heaved with all his strength.

* * *

Everything seemed to slide into perspective once we were back in Maplehaven and everyone was headed home for their winter break vacations. The town was an otherwise ghost town, and once I left with Wren, I don’t think anyone was going to be here. Fresh snow dusted everything, from the tops of houses, to the sidewalks where nobody had walked. Seeing it got me giddy because I knew the lake in Pineberry Falls was going to be frozen, and I’d packed two sets of skates.

In large hire car with snow terrain ready tires fitted, I parked outside his house and beeped the horn twice. The front door swung open. Wren stood there with a large coat on and the furry trimmed hood up. He waved at me and pointed to the small suitcase behind him. I knew it was going to be heavy with the way he tugged out of the house and locked the door behind himself.

“How much have you packed?” I asked as I went to fetch it for him. I gave him a kiss, his face already cold from the first contact with the cool air. “The car’s warm, go get in it.”

“We’re gonna be away for two weeks,” he said. “And I need clothes, yarn, my stuffies, and onesies. So, they don’t fall under actual clothes, because I’m not wearing them outside.”

“You know we can clean the clothes, right,” I called after him as he raced his cold body to car. There were seat warmers, which was necessary for the weather, and tires perfect for the snow. I attempted to pick the suitcase up but he really had packed it with almost every item of clothing he had.

Wren slowly undressed out of his coat in the passenger seat while I loaded his suitcase into the trunk. We had two weeks of bliss ahead of us, together, without assignments due, or the pressure to attend practice. We could sleep in and decompress, I knew that meant Wren’s little side was going to be very happy.

“I made a playlist,” he announced as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Perfect,” I said, giving him a kiss. “You know, your only other job was to look cute, and you’ve succeeded.”

“Your other job was to buy snacks,” he said.

From the footwell of the back seats, I pulled out a large paper sack. “You think I’d forget? Of course, I bought so many snacks, I think they thought I was preparing for the end times in the store.”

“Oh, wow.” He looked into the bag, nearly diving full head first. “Fruit laces, chocolate, oh, hot chocolate powder, marshmallows, oh my god, this is so much stuff. So much candy too.” He pulled out a candy bracelet, slipping it over his wrist. “I love these.”

“I thought you might.” I gave his cold face a little rub. “There’s some soda and water on the seats in the back as well. But don’t drink too much, it’s only a forty-minute drive, and I don’t think it’s gonna be safe to stop on these roads.”

He nodded. “You already texted to tell me to pee beforehand, so I made sure to pee. And it’s a good job you did as well because I would’ve forgot.”

“I should be up for Daddy of the year award,” I joked. I’d only really known about this lifestyle for a couple of months, and I wasn’t nearly as prepared for it as I wanted to be. I had a lot to learn, and a lot more that I wanted to do with him before I won any such award.

“You’d have my vote, so that’s as good as winning.”

I took his hand and gave the back of it a kiss before placing my mouth at the candy bracelet and biting off one of the candies. “Mhm, these are good.”

“They do other ones too, like, for the downstairs parts,” he giggled.

“They might be in there as well.” They weren’t, but I’d add it to the list of things Wren might want to do and play with. “Is your seat warm enough? You’re still cold.”

He wiggled his bum on the seat. “It could be warmer.”

“Say less, baby, I’ve got you sorted. And tell me if it’s too warm.”

“Ooo.”

“I’m just warming my snack up.” I winked at him. My snack.