Page 154 of Goaltender Interference

“You can always put the cross back on,” Jesse suggested.

“Nah. I’ll get used to it.”

Jesse took a deep breath because he suddenly had a weird little ache in the pit of his stomach.

“I’m glad you found … whatever answer you needed today. But I don’t love feeling like I was the cause of so many questions for you.” He looked down, staring at the white sheets. “I don’t love feeling like my chaos caused all of this drama in your life.”

“Hey. This wasn’t your fault.” Connor slid closer, tangling their legs together and taking Jesse’s hand.

Jesse stared down at their clasped hands, studying the sprinkle of auburn hair on the back of Connor’s knuckles. “Wasn’t it?”

“No.” Connor’s tone was firm.

“Because I can’t help but think if I hadn’t been such a fuckboy last summer, none of this would have happened. I wouldn’t have brought all this chaos into your life and Viv never would have questioned stuff and you wouldn’t have questioned stuff …”

“Well, it turns out Ilikeyou and your chaos,” Connor said, his voice and his expression teasing. “And if you hadn’t been such a fuckboy, we never would have ended uphere.”

Jesse swallowed. “True.”

Connor cupped his cheek. “I love you, Jesse. And if I’ve learned anything in relationships, it’s that it means taking the bad with the good. Neither of us are perfect. Did today go how we would’ve planned? Of course not. Butfuck, life never does. What’s that old phrase, ‘the devil smiles when we make plans,’ or something?”

Jesse managed a half-hearted smile. “I guess.”

“I didn’t plan for you,” Connor said huskily. “But I am glad for you.”

“You are?” Jesse asked thickly.

“Look, I’m not much of one for flowery words and all that, so if you’re expecting some grand speech about my feelings, I’ll probably let you down.”

Jesse tightened his grip on Connor’s hand because flowery words or not, Connor wouldn’t let him down. Not intentionally, anyway.

“But Imeanit,” Connor said. “So what if what we have didn’t start out as love? I’m glad we hooked up at the wedding. I’m glad you got traded here and that Gavin ordered me to keep an eye on you. I’m glad we ended uphere. Together.”

“I’m glad too,” Jesse whispered.

“Good. Because I wouldn’t want it any other way. You’re good for me,” Connor said and there was a sudden fierceness in his voice that made Jesse smile. “You’re good for me, for the kids, for the team.”

“Even though we haven’t been winning lately?”

“Even then. We’ll keep trying. And you’re not the problem. Our defense is. The roster is. Something’s gotta change but that’s not on you or me. That’s up to Gavin.”

“Speaking of the team,” Jesse said. “And Gavin. Are we going to tell people?”

“About us?”

Jesse nodded.

Connor was quiet for a moment before he nodded. “I think we probably should. Maybe not a big announcement, or anything though. If you’re okay with that.”

“Sure.” Jesse shrugged. “I don’t want us to do a presser or anything.”

Connor laughed because fuck no. That sounded horrible. “But maybe I’ll meet with Gavin, tell him. After, Hoyt should know. And maybe … maybe we’ll start acting like ourselves around the team and let them figure it out, if that works for you?”

“Yeah, sounds perfect. Do you think Crawford or Tucker will be a problem?”

“Nah,” Connor said. “Not in my locker room. And if they are, I’ll deal with it.”

“You sure you’rereadyfor all that?” Jesse asked.

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