Page 36

AXEL

APRIL

Everyone in the city of Sutton was here tonight at the Hot Shots fire hall fundraiser, including all the Cougars, and we had a lot to celebrate.

There was a roster of students from Sutton’s other sports programs too, including the football team and the rowing crew. The mayor was front and center, along with Nora Renner, Sutton University’s President, and Coach Banning, who made the rounds of the room, and of course, local business owners, and state media. But it was the appearance of Chicago’s star defenseman Selwin Kirkland that had the room buzzing with excitement. He was accompanied by his assistant and his agent, and he couldn’t move without someone wanting an autograph or a selfie.

The Cougars had three tables, room enough for all the players and their dates—those who chose to bring one—everyone dressed up in their best outfits. And every teammate wore a forest green beaded bracelet—made with love by Kayden—with their nickname and number on it. I agreed to wear it on one condition; Jace wore mine and I wore his. It wasn’t the same as him wearing my jersey, but it would do.

Jace and I put in a lot of work these past two months to help the organizers of this event. It was stressful between school and hockey finals, but somehow, we managed. And it was a huge success, thanks mostly to Jace’s charisma; he convinced more teammates to volunteer and had people opening their wallets to donate to the cause. And me? I kept it all in motion, so to speak. Kind of like how it was when we were playing hockey.

And my game? That had taken off along with our relationship, and my confidence. I wasn’t just talking about playing the best hockey of my life, I was doing it. No, I didn’t match Jace’s scoring stats, but I was close. He teased me about catching up to him, but the truth was, I didn’t need to.

I was exactly where I was meant to be; by Jace’s side, both on and off the ice.

Not that this semester was without its struggles. It was still a long road for me to open up to my teammates, and to forge new friendships. But every day, I worked a little harder, and I was getting there. Jace and I often hung out with Dane and Jackson in particular, both of whom became two of my closest friends.

And after coming out to the team, I’d texted my parents one last time and told them the news. I didn’t get a response, and I was okay with that. The only one in my family who reached out to me was Jonas. A month after that game in Albany, Jonas texted me to tell me that our parents were filing for bankruptcy and he needed a loan. I told Jonas that like me, he’d have to wait for his trust fund. Patience, however, wasn’t my brother’s strong suit. He sent me a long, vicious text, so I blocked him and got on with my life.

And my former BFF? Neither Jace or I ever heard from Preston again. I found out from Jonas (before I blocked him) that Preston was back in LA, acting, but not in college, because he got kicked out after the assault incident. No surprise there.

Not having any contact with my family or Preston meant I was finally finding peace. I’d be turning twenty-one in the fall and with that, I’d be financially independent. Even without my trust fund, I’d manage. Jace had shown me that with hard work and the right mindset, I could achieve anything I wanted.

I was still a Lund in name, but I was starting a new legacy. Instead of playing my family’s game, I’d stick to hockey…

Halfway through the evening, with the speeches over and the dancing underway, the real party began. Some of Jackson’s team joined our table, including Archie, and his crewmates, Jett and Hudson. They were cool guys who were all different in looks and personality, friendly but competitive to an extreme. Even more than our team, and that was saying a lot. And, of course, they wanted to know all about the championship game.

We’d clinched it, but that was a story for another day.

“I want to hear about the game-winning goal from the man himself,” Archie insisted as he stared at me. “Come on, Ax, spill.”

Silas shook his head. “Please, not again. Axel’s going to get an ego bigger than his boyfriend’s.”

Jace bundled up his napkin and threw it at Silas, who laughed and threw it back.

Unfortunately, Coach Banning sat down at our table at that exact moment, and it landed on him instead of Jace. The look Coach gave Silas told me there was a lot of extra ice time involved in our defenseman’s future.

“Silas,” Coach bit out.

“Nice fit,” Silas muttered.

Everyone looked surprised at his comment, but Silas was right. Coach looked sharp in a classic black tux and matching shirt and tie.

“But where’s your whistle?” Silas continued, and everyone at the table laughed.

“I don’t think you want me to tell you where you can find it,” Coach retorted, making us laugh harder. “Are you done now?”

Silas raised his tattooed hands in mock surrender.

“Good,” Banning stated and cleared his throat. “I wanted to take a moment to congratulate Axel and Jace and thank them for their hard work on this event. You’ve done the Cougars, and Sutton U, proud.”

There was a round of applause from our teammates, and I squeezed my boyfriend’s hand.

“I also have news to share,” Banning paused and looked around the table. “With the approval of the university board and the dean of athletics, I’m pleased to announce that I’m offering a hockey training camp this summer, three days a week, June and July. I’ve sent you the official email with the details. This is an add-on for players who need dedicated coaching and mentoring. And there will be a professional player, or two, dropping by as well.”

“Kirkland?” Silas asked.

“He’s been asked, yes. Keep in mind, the camp isn’t a right fit for everyone and there will be limited spots.”

“When’s the deadline to apply?” Finn asked.

“May 15 th .”

Silas leaned forward. “And the fee?”

“It’s in the email.” Banning stood up again. “Six spots are available, first come, first served. Any follow-up questions, drop by my office or email me.”

“Thanks, Coach,” Dane replied.

“Enjoy the rest of your night.”

Coach nodded at us, then walked off into the crowd.

“Any takers?” Ethan asked the table.

“I’m interested,” Finn announced. “I don’t have a job lined up at home yet, so I think I’ll stay on here. It sounds cool.”

“What the fuck, Finn? Summer’s about having fun,” Ethan teased.

“Training camp’s not fun?”

Ethan groaned at Finn’s statement, and I knew the razzing was just getting started.

And summer for me and Jace? It was going to be as busy as our school year, with both of us staying on in Sutton. Jace had a part-time gig waiting tables at Boots, then he’d travel to Burlington three days a week for his kinesiology internship with a farm team. I’d managed to snag an internship too, fifteen hours a week, remote, for a sports agent based in NYC. Between that and working full time at Boots, my weeks would be packed. The money I’d earn might not be enough, and I’d probably have to take out a loan until my trust fund kicked in, but I’d be okay.

Jace’s aunt Josie was coming for a weekend in July, and we’d already started planning out activities, including a hiking trip. I’d met her virtually and to say that my nerves were tested was an understatement. Jace had told her the whole story—edited of course—about me and him, but I worried that she wouldn’t be supportive. She was protective of him, which I understood all too well. Once I made it clear that I was the same, that Jace was my everything, she gave her blessing.

“Hey, Axel, you never answered my question,” Archie called out. “Tell us about the goal. Come on, spill.”

“I don’t know?—”

“Come on, baby, tell them,” Jace urged. “Shout it loud and proud.”

Number eight was my number one fan and I laughed at Jace’s comment. I was doing that all the time now. I saved my resting asshole face for hockey opponents. And for times when Jace and I got into heated arguments. Hey, we’d always fight passionately, it was just us. And he more than liked my grumpy face. The hot-as-hell make-up sex proved it.

“Not much to tell,” I insisted as I glanced at Archie. “It was all teamwork. Jace made one of his lightning quick moves, a beauty of a pass, and I slid it home.”

“That’s it?” Jace exclaimed. “That’s all you have to say? Where’s the cocky dude from last semester?”

“I’m still here,” I replied as I turned to him and put an arm around his shoulders. “I’m just cocky in other ways.”

“Yeah, the dirty ones,” Ethan chuckled.

Everyone threw their napkins at Ethan.

“Come on, Ax,” Jace encouraged. “Tell them.”

I shrugged and leaned forward.

“It all started on a frozen pond when I was six years old,” I started.

This time, it was my turn to get a napkin in the face.

I chuckled and glanced at Archie. “Third period, less than two minutes remaining. I nearly get a stick in the face, but no penalty’s called. The clock’s running down. Jace gets the puck but then he gets boxed in, and since I’m on his ass?—”

“Stick to the game!” Jett shouted and everyone laughed.

“Jace saw an opportunity,” I continued. “Before I knew it, the puck was on my stick, and I was slamming it harder than any slapshot in my life.”

“And that’s how it’s done,” Jace added, squeezing my shoulder.

“Eh, just doing my job.”

“You’re way too modest, Axel,” Archie replied. “But speaking of high-stakes games, when are we going to have that competition? Crew vs. Cougars. Let’s see how fast and strong you guys are off the ice.”

“It’s on,” Dane leaned in. “But it has to be a sport that offers a level playing field.”

“Volleyball?” Jett suggested.

“Soccer,” Ethan countered.

Dane considered and offered his hand to Jett.

“Soccer. Done.”

“Losers have to shave their heads,” Jett added. “And beards.”

Silas looked horrified. I placed a protective hand over my head and glanced at Jace, but he just shrugged.

“We can do that,” Jace replied. “It’s offseason so no worries.”

Ethan pointed at Jett. “What does the winner get?”

“Bragging rights.” Jett offered a smirk. “What else do you need?”

“More than that,” Ethan replied and rolled his eyes.

“You think of something,” Jett countered.

“You’re on.”

This was going to be very interesting. I wasn’t sure how quick any of us on the hockey team would be able to move on grass. But hey, both sports involved footwork, so that had to be to our advantage. Then again, the rowing crew was known for their stamina and soccer fields were a lot bigger than a rink.

“I can’t wait to see you in a pair of tight shorts and nothing else,” Jace whispered in my ear.

“Oh, Honey, same.”

All night long, I stayed by Jace’s side. Everyone knew that he was mine. And the way he held on to me? There was no mistaking that I was his too.

“I love you,” I whispered in his ear.

“I love you, too.”

“Even when I go caveman?” I quipped.

“Especially then.”

I paused and drew back, looking into his eyes.

“You know something,” I started, grinning at him. “It’s not that goal that I’m most proud of.”

“No?”

I shook my head.

“It’s us.”

The smile Jace gave me lit up the entire room.

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

Thank you for reading Play Maker ! Defenseman Silas Moss and Coach Damien Banning have something to prove and everything to lose in Heart Taker , Bar Down Book 3.