Page 125 of Play Maker

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 15th.”

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 fightpassionately, it was just us. And he more than liked my grumpy face. The hot-as-hell make-up sex proved it.

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