Page 107 of On Thin Ice

Morgan didn’t look convinced. “I could still kick your ass.”

“Yeah, but you won’t,” Jacob said with an eye roll. “You don’t evensoundlike you mean it, anymore.”

Morgan frowned.

“Though maybe you never really did.”

That frown deepened, and Morgan opened his mouth, no doubt to dare Jacob to meet him after the game outside the rink and they’d settle this like men, not like ex-hockey players, but Jacob interrupted him before he could. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go find our seats.”

“You’re not sitting on the bench?”

“What am I gonna do for Finn on the bench?” Jacob questioned. “Besides, he’s got this. He doesn’t need me—and he definitely doesn’t need you.”

Morgan looked like he really fucking hated that, but it was just the God’s honest truth, and maybe he knew it too, because instead of arguing, Morgan actually followed him.

Now that Finn—and Gavin—knew he was coming to games, they’d gotten him special access tickets, right down by the ice, within easy reach if Finndidneed to talk to him, during a timeout or at either intermission.

There’d been a pair waiting at the box office for Jacob, but Bryan had the kids tonight and couldn’t get away, so he’d intended to sit alone.

But Morgan was right there, following him like an unexpectedly lost duckling.

Jacob sighed and turned to him. “You wanna sit with me?”

Morgan bristled.

“It sucks to watch, tojustwatch, I know. Might be better if we’ve got—”

“Don’t you dare fucking say it won’t be so bad if we’ve got each other,” Morgan interrupted.

“Or you could go sit wherever the fuck you want, instead,” Jacob said.

For a second, Jacob thought Morganmightdo that, probably using his very famous face to get whatever the fuck he wanted, but to Jacob’s surprise, he made a painful, aggrieved sigh and actually followed Jacob to their seats.

Jacob decided he wasn’t going to press his luck and didn’t say anything as they sat down. They could sit here in silence, and at least that would mean they wouldn’t get kicked out for fighting.

Theoretically.

But to his surprise, again, Morgan turned to him as the anthem finished and said, “It’s so fucking annoying how right you are. It’s absolute shit to just sit here and watch.”

Jacob knew he should be trying to get on his boyfriend’s father’s good side, even if it was basically totally fucking impossible, but despite that reminder, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Funny how that’s not how it seems whenever I turn on ESPN and you’re right there, offering all these fucking opinions.”

Morgan ground his teeth together. “At least I’m doing something with my life.”

“Yeah, I guess anyone cantalkabout hockey.”What are you doing?the voice inside Jacob screamed.

He could feel Morgan’s anger taking form and shape next to him. If he chanced a glance over at him, he’d probably get punched. And this time, he might actually deserve it.

“Funny how this whole time, everyone insisted you were innocent and the nicest fucking guy and our rivalry wasmy fault, like you weren’t always right there, baiting me. Just like that.” But Morgan didn’t sound all that pissed. More amused anything else.

Like he was more than ready to have been proven right.

Jacob winced. “I didn’t mean to. Then, anyway.”

“And now?”

“Uh . . .well, that was more of accidental word vomit than anything else. And, the truth, actually.”

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