Page 146 of Goaltender Interference

“But what do Ido?”

“Well, you need to talk to him about it.”

“I’m not the problem here when it comes to talking,” Jesse pointed out.

She chuckled. “I see that. But tell him howimportantit is to you. If he really cares about you, if he’s the kind of guy who deserves you, he’ll try. Even if he’s not great at it, he’ll make the effort.”

“True.” Jesse sighed and let his leg drift down to meet the other. “Ugh. Hookups are so much easier, dude.”

“Well,dude,” she said. “Are they as satisfying? Emotionally, I mean.”

“No,” he grumbled. “It’s better with—withhim.”

“Then you have to be a little patient until he comes home.”

“Ugghh,” Jesse said. “You know I’m no good at that!”

“I do. But I also know you are very good at working hard. And if you want something bad enough, nothing will stop you. Do you want him bad enough to do that?”

Jesse thought of Connor’s smile and his laugh and the way his arms felt around Jesse when they slept. He thought of Evie talking nonstop through the whole ride today, eyes sparkling as she told him every last thing that crossed her mind. He thoughtof Maura’s little smile when he tucked her in bed after reading her a story, and Nolan’s trust when he’d come to Jesse with his problems.

“Yeah. I do. And I don’t want to lose any of them,” he whispered.

“Then be there for them while they navigate this. Give your—yourguysome time to figure out what he wants. Not everyone is as rash as you are, sweetheart. You throw yourself headlong into life and we love that about you but sometimes other people need time to catch up, okay? Give him that. And love those kids and be there for them and—tough though it may be—accept it may take time for his ex to come around.”

“I’ll do my best,” Jesse said thickly.

“I believe in you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” he whispered.

“Of course. Any time.”

“Tell Dad I love him?”

“Of course. He loves you back. And we’ll see you in a few weeks when the team’s in California, yeah?”

“Yeah, definitely,” he agreed. He couldn’twait.

After they said their goodbyes, he hung up and tossed his phone aside, slipping into a light doze. It wasn’t until he heard the door open upstairs that he sat up, throwing aside the blanket he’d wrapped himself in.

Jesse jogged up the stairs, skidding through the kitchen and living room in his socks to come face-to-face with a startled-looking Connor.

“Hey,” Jesse said weakly, stuffing his hands into his hoodie pockets.

“Hey,” Connor replied. His voice seemed especially deep right now and there was something different about his expression. The pain and confusion in his eyes earlier was gone now.

Jesse didn’t know whether he should be hopeful or not.

Connor didn’t stop to take off his shoes or remove his coat, just stepped forward and cupped Jesse’s cheeks in his calloused hands.

“I love you,” Connor whispered.

Jesse blinked, whispering, “What?” because he was sure he couldn’t possibly have heard him right.

Connor smiled. “I love you, Jesse Webber. I love everything about you. And I don’t know if you love me or if this is the life you want. I don’t know anything right now. But I know I love you. And I wanted you to know that too.”

“Connor,” Jesse whispered because his head was whirling and he’d never seen this coming. He’d thought Connor might end things, might tell him he had to go. But a love confession? No, he’d never expected that. “I …”

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