Page 221 of Pucking Around

“Not that it’s any of your goddamn business, but yes,” I reply. “Ilmari and I are together. So, you can take whatever shitty ideas you have about holding it over on us and forget it.”

He huffs a laugh. “Oh, this is rich. I was coming to find you, Doc. Coach is looking for you. Apparently, yourotherboyfriend finally got himself caught with his pants down tonight.”

I go very still, trying to school my features.

Avery smirks. “Judging by your expression right now, he wasn’t caught with you. Good to know. That just won me a bet.” He turns to Ilmari. “Oh wait—did you not know, Mars? About the other guy? Or maybeyou’rethe other guy.”

“Don’t,” I murmur, holding tighter to his arm. “He’s not worth it.”

Avery just huffs again. “Just one guy’s opinion, but I’d hold off on knocking her up, Kinnunen. Sounds like she may already be pregnant…with another dude’s baby.” With that, he drops my backpack to the floor at my feet and saunters off back down the hall.

“I hate that man,” Ilmari growls.

“Forget him,” I say.

“He won’t stay quiet. He’ll tell everyone.”

“Sounds like it may already be too late.” Dropping my hand to my side, I take his, weaving our fingers together. With my free hand, I duck down and grab the strap of my backpack. “Come on. We need to find the guys.”

“Doctor Price!”

Ilmari and I both spin around, hands held fast.

Coach Johnson is standing at the opposite end of the hall. He waves us down. “We’ve been looking for you! Come on. You too, Kinnunen.”

“Oh shit,” I murmur. “Off the ice, and into the fire we go, huh?”

Ilmari gives my hand a squeeze. “Lead the way, Rakas.”

Taking a deep breath, I hold Ilmari’s hand and walk us down the hall towards our fate.

97

“Is someone gonna tell me what the hell is going on here?”

Coach Johnson stands in the middle of the locker room, hands on his hips. He’s a big man, with broad shoulders and a barrel chest. Next to him stands Assistant Coach Andrews. Near the door, Vicki and Poppy huddle together, looking extremely confused.

The only other two people in the room are Jake and Caleb…and they’re holding hands. My eyes go wide, shocked by their brazen public display of affection. Caleb doesn’t even like holding my hand in the privacy of the living room. What the hell did I miss tonight?

Ilmari and I join Jake and Caleb in the middle of the room.

“Did you get it?” Jake says, a wide smile on his face.

Ilmari nods.

“Oh, fuck yes!” He drops Caleb’s hand and holds his up, waiting for Ilmari to give him a high-five.

With a sigh, Ilmari does.

“Congrats, man,” Caleb adds.

“We are so fucking celebrating tonight. Cedar plank salmon fillets and steamed broccoli for everyone,” Jake teases. “We’ll pop the cork on some aged cucumber water.”

I try to hide my smile.

“What the hell is he talking about?” Coach Johnson says at Ilmari, while behind him, Andrews says, “Oh shit,” eyes wide.

“I’m going to the Olympics,” Ilmari announces to the room. “Starting goalie for the Finnish National Team.”