Page 60 of Slew Foot (Scoring Chances #3)

Three days later, as guys crowded into O’Neill’s Pub for one last get-together before they all went their separate ways for the summer, Rafe felt lighter than he’d expected.

The season hadn’t ended the way he’d wanted. It hadn’t ended the way any of them had wanted. But Gavin and Connor’s speeches had done their jobs.

They’d gone through their exit interviews and locker cleanout. They’d talked to the media.

The loss still stung but, as Mickey had said, there was a thread of hope running through every single one of them now.

A plan.

Gavin probably still had a few tricks up his sleeve for the off-season.

There would be a few tweaks to the roster and at training camp in the fall, guys would be competing for spots.

Rafe had been assured the Harriers had no plans for him to be anywhere but by Mickey’s side, but he was determined to train harder than ever this summer to prove he deserved it.

He’d liked the way he’d played at the end there. Felt like he’d finally unlocked something within himself he’d been looking for since he played his first NHL game.

He was good with Mickey—better than good—but he’d proven he could play without him too. He wasn’t just playing well when Mickey was telling him where to go and what to do. He could do it without him too.

And, with any luck, he and Mickey wouldn’t have to do that again.

But he was glad to know he could .

Rafe hummed along to the music as he filled a plate with food and got a beer from the white-haired bartender. Liam gave him a wink and a little salute as he passed and Rafe smiled back, thinking about the first evening he’d spent in the pub.

He thought about how exhausted he’d been on New Year’s Eve, how overwhelmed by the trade he’d felt.

He thought of Mickey by his side, looking out for him from the very beginning.

As he took a seat across from Mickey at a small table tucked out of the way, he thought how glad he was he’d said yes to the trade.

How glad he was he’d gotten a fresh start here with the Harriers.

“Hey, Turtle!” Tanner called out. “You wanna play some pool?”

Rafe glanced at Mickey who smiled at him. “You mind?”

“Go for it. We’ve got the whole summer together.”

So Rafe crammed a slider in his mouth and jogged over to the pool table, smiling around his food as he listened to Tanner and Crawford bicker about who was going to break and who’d won the last game … and it was so good.

This pub, this team, this city … it was where he belonged.

Rafe finished chewing and swallowed the last bite. “I’m gonna mop the floor with you all,” he said.

Ben Estrada scoffed. “Yeah, okay, dude.”

And they were off, laughing and joshing around, the mood high, hope fizzling through the air even though it would be months before they could put what they learned into action.

This wasn’t their year. But next year? Oh, it definitely would be.

After a couple of rounds of pool, Rafe went in search of more food, handing the stick over to Kady, who took it, then proceeded to wield it like a sword as he jousted with Tanner.

Rafe winced. Maybe he shouldn’t get so cocky about their season next year. If someone didn’t poke an eye out, it would be a miracle.

On the way to the bar, Rafe had to dodge Jesse and Connor who were awkwardly slow dancing to a song on the jukebox, Connor’s arm still in a sling and pinned between their bodies.

Thankfully, it was a relatively minor shoulder sprain and should heal in about a month, leaving him with plenty of time to train.

When Rafe returned to the table, he found Mickey talking to Gavin and Dakota, who had pulled up chairs.

“Perfect timing!” Gavin said. “I was about to ask Mickey something.”

Rafe glanced between them. “What’s that?”

Gavin smiled. “Mickey, how would you feel about wearing the A next season?”

Mickey blinked. “You … you want me to be an assistant captain?”

“Yes. You’ve showed a lot of initiative this season. I know the ear infection took its toll, but I was incredibly impressed by how you fought to get back and the way you stepped up during our last game.”

Mickey’s stunned expression almost made Rafe laugh. But mostly, he was proud of Mickey. He reached out and squeezed his thigh to let him know.

“Do Connor and Graham know?”

“Yes. And Coach Rasmussen was the one who suggested it. Hoyt is also very on board.”

“I … I don’t know what to say,” Mickey said.

“That’s okay.” Gavin patted his shoulder. “If you need more time to think about it or?—”

“No,” Mickey blurted out. “I want it. I … I never expected it but I do want it.”

Gavin held out a hand. “Then congratulations. Would you like to make an announcement, or should I?”

Mickey shrugged, like it still hadn’t really sunk in yet.

“I’ll do it,” Rafe said, and Gavin nodded.

Rafe rose to his feet, put two fingers between his lips, and whistled.

The pub abruptly went still and quiet except for the sound of the jukebox playing.

“Hey, guys,” he called out. “Guess who your new assistant captain is?” He gestured to Mickey who looked a little flustered but pleased too when a big cheer rose up.

“Next round’s on me!” Rafe called. “Let’s celebrate!”

Another cheer went up and then guys swarmed over to congratulate Mickey. Still looking stunned but pleased, he disappeared into the happy, celebrating crowd for a while.

After their teammates were done and everyone went in search of new drinks, the music switched to something upbeat and fun. Across the room, Jesse grabbed Kady, dragging him over so they could do some sort of silly dance routine together.

Rafe laughed.

He laughed because he was so fucking happy and he loved this team and this city and … his gaze landed on Mickey.

And that man.

He dragged Mickey over and planted a kiss on his lips.

A few wolf whistles rang out and Rafe laughed against Mickey’s mouth. But Mickey put a hand around the back of his neck, dragging him down for another, more heated kiss. Rafe went hot all over as he thought about what it would be like to go home with Mickey tonight.

Unlike on New Year’s Eve, Rafe wouldn’t be going to sleep alone in a hotel bed.

He’d be going home to sleep in the bed he shared with Mickey.

Who would probably bend him over the bed or cuff him to it. Mickey who would probably tease Rafe until he was out of his mind and begging for it. He might make Rafe cry or scream or …

This time, Mickey was the one to laugh, breaking the kiss. “Not here,” he said.

And Rafe realized he was getting hard, grinding a little against Mickey’s thigh.

Rafe pulled back and glanced around. Thankfully, everyone else had wandered off and they were tucked in a shadowy little corner. Not private, but maybe private enough no one had noticed anything but them kissing. Hopefully, anyway.

Mickey tugged him in, his breath warm on Rafe’s ear as he whispered, “ Later .”

With that thought in his head, Rafe stumbled over to the bar, dragging Mickey with him as he grabbed drinks for them both. There were a few toasts to Mickey and some more drinks and more food and at some point, head whirling, Rafe realized he was definitely buzzed and he desperately needed to pee.

“I’ll come with you,” Tanner said as Rafe pushed back from the bar.

“I don’t think I need your company,” Rafe said with a laugh, winding through the crowd toward the back hallway, Tanner on his heels.

“I know. But if I let you out of my sight, you’ll probably disappear somewhere with Mickey,” Tanner said, his tone disgusted.

“I will not!” Rafe protested but what was he going to do? He couldn’t exactly stop Tanner.

Thankfully, Tanner waited in the hallway while Rafe disappeared into the bathroom.

After he was done, he came out to find Tanner trying to look tough or something as he leaned against the wall. Rafe snorted and wiped his damp hands on his jeans. With his curly hair and endless playful energy, Tanner was about as scary as a miniature poodle puppy.

Rafe opened his mouth to say as much when Tanner held a finger up to his lips then jerked his head toward the door at the end of the hallway. It was stuck open a little bit and Tanner eased it apart a few more inches.

The scent of fresh rain flooded in, along with the sound of a man talking.

Rafe stepped closer, peering over Tanner’s shoulder. From here, he could see a slice of the back patio and Graham scowling at Thad.

“Just be careful not to kiss any of your other buddies this summer,” Thad said mockingly. “They might not be as understanding about it as I was.”

Graham made a sputtering sound. “It was one kiss !”

“And you broke up with your girlfriend immediately after,” Thad said, his tone cocky.

Tanner turned, his mouth open in a wide-eyed, exaggerated look of shock. Rafe bumped his arm against Tanner’s back but privately, he kind of agreed.

“I felt guilty for kissing someone else! It was the right thing to do,” Graham snapped.

“Or I’m that good.” Thad smirked. “I mean, you claimed to be straight and yet …”

“I am straight,” Graham protested.

“Good for you,” Thad said with a snort. “I’m not. And, hey, you know what? I think I’ll get out of here. Go hook up with that guy who’s been sending me filthy pics all night.”

“Go for it,” Graham said, jutting out his jaw. “It’s not like I care.”

“No?” Thad grabbed Graham’s shoulder and hip, spinning him and pressing him against the rough brick wall of the pub. He rested his forearm against the wall and leaned in.

Tanner’s elbow connected with Rafe’s ribs in a clear, “holy shit!”

Tanner wasn’t wrong about it that time either.

Guiltily fascinated, Rafe watched as Thad dragged his nose up the side of Graham’s throat, then kissed Graham’s jaw. “You really don’t want me?”

Graham reached for Thad’s shoulder and Rafe wondered if they were about to kiss again until Graham pushed him away and began to pace.

Thad stumbled, turning to face Graham, who looked … kinda confused and very unhappy. “I don’t fucking know what I want,” Graham rasped.

Rafe winced, feeling like he shouldn’t be watching this, so he tugged at Tanner’s shoulder. Tanner let out a quiet little grumble then backed away, carefully closing the door behind them as quietly as he could.

Rafe dragged him down the hall a little bit before he hissed, “Shit, what was that about?”

“I dunno,” Tanner said, wide-eyed. “But it sounds to me like Thad and Graham made out and now Graham isn’t sure how he feels about it.”

“No shit. But I mean … what do we do ?”

“Dude, I dunno.”

They looked at each other. “Talk to Mickey,” they said in unison.

They made a beeline for the table where Mickey sat. He was having a conversation with Anker and Ben and Kady and by the time Rafe finally pulled him away, he looked a little annoyed.

“No, listen,” Tanner said urgently. “We saw a thing .”

Mickey raised a skeptical eyebrow. “What kind of thing?”

Rafe told him all about what he’d seen, while Tanner chimed in occasionally.

“And we don’t know what to do,” Tanner finished.

Mickey looked back and forth between them. “Guys, we don’t do anything .”

“But …” Tanner sputtered.

“Look, it’s between them. They need to figure their relationship or friendship or whatever it is out for themselves. They don’t need us to interfere. Besides, we’re all heading out for the summer anyway,” Mickey pointed out.

“Yeah, what are you two doing?” Tanner asked with a frown, clearly easily distracted.

“Going to Ontario to visit Rafe’s family,” Mickey said with a shrug. “Then spending a few weeks in Germany so he can meet mine. After that, training. And his friend Zach’s wedding.”

Tanner’s face lit up. “Ooh, are you guys doing the training camp in Evanston?”

“The one Anders Lindholm runs?” Rafe asked.

Tanner nodded.

“No, one here in Boston. Why?”

Tanner’s face fell. “I’m doing the one in Evanston. It would be cool if you were there.”

“Oh. No, it was already full by the time we applied.”

Mickey hadn’t been surprised when they found out. He’d said it was very well regarded. Oh well, maybe next year.

“Bummer. I guess we won’t see each other much then,” Tanner said with a frown.

“It’s okay,” Mickey said. “We’ll see each other in September.”

“Yeah, are you guys planning to still live with me next year?” Tanner asked. He looked hopeful. “The lease will be up in August.”

Mickey crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t know. Are you going to cool it with hooking up with random people next season?”

Tanner shrugged. “I mean, I’m not gonna be a monk , but I could chill out a little. Wouldn’t want to get anyone sick.”

“Good.”

“Are you two going to keep the sex stuff in your room?” Tanner asked.

“Maybe,” Mickey said. “If you promise to be a little bit quieter when you have people over.”

Tanner seemed to think that through for a minute before he held out a hand. “You have yourself a deal.”

Mickey shook.

Rafe did too. “Deal,” he said with a big smile, looking forward to it. He was already counting the minutes until next season started.