Page 158 of Wild Blades

“Commitment,” they all say together.

“Did you guys rehearse this?” Laughter makes my chest shake and I feel better than I have since the news broke.

“Yes. We’re teamcheer up Wade.”

“You achieved what you came here to do,” I confirm.Seven other teams wanted me.That’s information I had forgotten and it’s a big deal.I was good enough.

“Good. Now do you have beer? Because we’ll need some in an hours’ time when that press release hits the news. To celebrate, not to fucking wallow in, though,” Buster says. “You hit the fucking big time, baby. Bagged yourself a hockey team. Can you imagine?”

Everyone goes silent around the table. These guys live and breathe hockey.

If I tell them I don’t care much for the business side of things, I will never hear the end of it. I don’t want the team. I want to play.

“I don’t drink,” I answer Buster’s previous question, looking around the table and winning a nod of approval from Thomas.

“Does Kali know how boring you are? You must have a big dick.” Buster grins through a mouthful of food.

“I’ve seen it in the showers. He’s fucking hung.” Ash throws his head back, laughing.

“I fucking knew it.” Leon sits back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest and licking his lips as if savoring the taste of the food he’s just finished. I still haven’t touched mine. “That’s the only reasonable explanation she turned me down.”

“It’s not.” I shake my head, grinning. “She doesn’t like old men.”

“Well, there’s that, but you’re really fucking annoying sometimes, Leon.” Brayden ducks down when Leon makes a swipe to the back of his head. “She’s a sensible woman.”

“Legs for days.” Leon looks starry eyed.

“Don’t go there.” I smile, but he knows I’m being serious. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Yes. Stanley Cup. Who are we placing a bet on this year?” Brayden proudly looks around the table, knowing the Eagles will.

“Are you kidding me?” I throw my hands in the air.

Brayden scrunches his napkin into a ball onto his empty plate. “What chance do we have? You’re missing in action, as is your brother.”

“Half-brother,” I state, finally picking up my grilled cheese to take a bite.

“Now that’s progress,” Thomas adds his thoughts. “One step at a time, Wade.”

I still have a long way to go.

“I see dollar signs now. Highly fucking marketable.” Leon rubs his hands together, then draws an invisible curve in the air. “The Edwards Brothers. You two are handsome motherfuckers.”

I groan.

“Too soon?” Leon winks and I know he’s kidding, but also know he has a plan.

“Far too soon.”

Joe rakes his fingers through his hair. “When the goofballs leave, Thomas and I are staying on to talk some things through with you, okay?”

“Yeah.” It’s exactly what I need.

“Thomas and I drove here separately.” He looks around the table at the men who made the Eagles great. But two hours in the car with all of them together would drive me to drink again.

Thomas, Joe, and I watch Buster pull Leon into a headlock.

“That was a fully justified decision.” I laugh, then take a bite of my grilled cheese.

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