Page 115 of No Pucks

“Gladly, if the board would like to know about his character—or lack thereof, actually.” The smirk comes through Logan’s voice.

“I don’t think that will be necessary…” Gary says.

“I hate to cut this meeting short, but we have a game to get to. Maybe you could talk amongst yourselves and figure out what rule I’m in violation of that justifies keep me away from winning the Frozen Four for the Gods.”

“We’re sorry to have called you away from a game, Mr. Hawke,” a board member takes over. “We’ll be sure to substantiate any accusation in the future before wasting your time. You can all go. Good luck tomorrow.”

“One last thing.” Wolfe steps forward. “I would like each and every one of you to know that if you fire Coach Hawke, or harass him any further with baseless allegations, we will all quit. I know I speak for the entire team when I say we will not play for any other coach.”

Archangel steps up beside Wolfe. “You better believe you will lose the entire hockey team if you keep fucking around. I’ll make sure you find out. This man right here.” He points at me. “Is untouchable. We don’t care what anyone has to say about him.”

“My mother would also like you to know the Cadieux Foundation is considering withdrawing all pledged and future funding to the school and team over the continued harassment of Coach Hawke.”

“Logan, hold up for a minute.”

He stops, turning back around. “What’s up?”

Wolfe stops with him.

“I’m not breaking up with him. Jesus. Go out there. He’ll just be a minute.”

Wolfe narrows his eyes and leaves.

Logan walks back the few steps to put his hand around the back of my head, brushing our mouths together. “If you wanted a kiss, you could have asked in front of them.”

I don’t fight the kiss. “That’s not what I wanted, but I’ll take it.”

“Then what is it?” he says against my lips.

I force myself to step away. “I ordered you a new jersey.”

His brows lift. “What for? Mine’s fine.”

I hold it up so it unfolds, showing him the name on the back. “I thought you might want to go into the postseason with a different name.” I put his mother’s maiden name on the back.

He doesn’t say anything. He just stares at it.

“If it was overstepping, I’m sorry, but I wanted to give you the option.”

“No.” He shakes his head, finally lifting his gaze to meet mine. “I love it.” He springs at me, bumping our chests, knocking me back a few paces.

I stumble, but his grip on me keeps me upright. “Fuck, you can’t do that to me. I already have a bad leg. I don’t need another injury.” I’m laughing, so he knows I’m joking.

He buries his face in my neck, and I can feel him shaking.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“You are so fucking thoughtful. I’ve never had anyone who thinks of me as much as you do.”

“Of course I do. I love you.”

“No, lots of people love me. You actually take care of me.”

I smile and kiss his temple. “I will always take care of you.”

He takes a few minutes to get himself together before he changes his jersey and turns to look in the mirror. “I’m only disappointed I won’t see my father’s face when he sees it.”

“No shit. Now, get out there. We need to win so we can beat the Monsters again—I mean, win the Frozen Four.”

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