Page 49 of On Thin Ice

But it was more than that, Finn realized.

He needed not to push, but toprove.

“Really,” Coach B said as he meandered over to where Finn was stripping his equipment off, one piece at a time, “it was a great game, Reynolds.”

Coach patted him on the shoulder, all warm reassurance, but Finn was stuck on how different it had felt when Jacob had touched him. It hadn’t been warm; it had beenhot.

That was going to become a problem. He could see it coming, and honestly, part of him didn’t even care anymore that it would be messy. That it would make everything infinitely more difficult, because it wasn’t like resisting was all that easy, either.

“Thanks, Coach,” Finn said, grateful at the acknowledgment of a job well done.

“You seemed . . .calmer out there. Different, in some way.” Coach paused. “Zach mentioned you saw Jacob between the first and second period. Is he . . .that’s working?”

Finn wanted to know what he’d held himself back from saying but knowing Coach he wouldn’t divulge it. But Finn could guess.

“It’s going pretty good,” Finn said.I hope it’ll be going even better soon.But just like how Coach didn’t want Mal and Elliott’s relationship invading the locker room, he wasn’t going to want to hear about how Finn had a major hard-on for the ex-NHL star giving him private coaching. In fact, he’d probably warn Finn off, then overload him with good-intentioned and likely logically sound advice that he’d have to blow off, and that would add an extra layer of guilt that Finn didn’t need.

So he didn’t say anything.

“Good, good. I’m glad. I wasn’t sure . . .you didn’t need more pressure, but a pressurevalveand I hoped he might be the right tool.”

He’s got the right tool alright.

Finn snapped his mind back from the danger zone. “So far it’s working out.”

“If he wanted to be on the bench, in the locker room, how would you feel about that?” Coach’s question was casual, like it didn’t mean anything, but Finn caught the sharpness in his gaze. It was a big deal to invite a new entity permanently into these sacred spaces. Could change the chemistry for the better—or for the worse.

Coach would be cautious.

“What he said was helpful, between the periods,” Finn answered honestly. “I wouldn’t be against it but . . .” He hesitated, because Jacob hadn’t really talked a lot about his feelings surrounding retirement, but he’d said enough that Finnknew a part of him was struggling with it. And part ofhimdidn’t want to be the one to divulge Jacob’s secrets to Coach. “But I don’t know how he’d feel about that.”

“Right.” Comprehension dawned across Coach’s face. “Understood. I’ll talk to him.”

Finn nodded.

“Alright, get dressed,” Coach said, patting him again.

Coach B had turned to walk away before Finn found himself saying, “Would it be okay if I didn’t take the bus back?”

Coach looked back, over his shoulder, his gaze narrowing. “You want to drive back with Jacob? Go over the game?”

“Something like that.”

Finn could feel the heat building between him and Jacob, as surely as the pressure inside him had built. Maybe they could be each other’s release valves.

God knew Jacob probably needed it, andFinncould even use it at this point, though he could probably find a lot of guys casually willing to do it. But he didn’t want that. Not now. Not anymore.

“Alright,” Coach said. “If Jacob’s fine with it.”

Jacob probably wouldn’t be. He’d probably freak out and panic a little and claim it was a bad idea. But Finn already knew he had the power to convince him to change his mind. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—abuse it, but it was there, all the same, just waiting to be used.

And Finn intended to use it tonight.

He showered and changed, sure that when he exited the visiting rink, Jacob would be waiting outside.

Sure enough, there he was, lounging against one of the decorative trees lining the walkway to the front door. There was another guy with him, and for a second, Finn internally panicked. Had Jacob brought adateto his game tonight?

But after the sudden, painful wave of jealousy ebbed, Finn looked closer and realized they were both a similar height and had that same familiar dark brown hair on their heads. The other guy’s was neater, and had a few speckles of gray on the temples, but it was still the same. And then the other guy swung his head around, probably reacting to Jacob seeing him approach, and their faces were so alike Finn knew this had to be a brother.

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