Page 44 of Goaltender Interference

After Connor finally pried his kids—and Jesse—away from his family, he fell into step behind them while they walked the short distance home.

So Jesse and Tanner had fucked.

Connor didn’t have to have confirmation from either of them to know that. From the way they looked at each other to the way they touched, it was obvious as hell. What was worse, it looked like they had every intention of starting up again.

The sounds of Maura and Evie’s chatter about the fun new toys grandma had bought and Jesse and Nolan’s discussion about hockey gear brands—they both favored Prescott—floated past Connor without registering as he stewed over the thought of Jesse and Tanner together.

Like this situation wasn’t gonna be complicated enough. Like there wouldn’t be enough issues with the team this season.

Because other than that, what reason did he have for being upset about any of it?

Connor damn well knew Jesse hooked up a lot and why was it that shocking to think that some of those people had been guys in the league? For all Connor knew, Jesse had a guy in every city from here to Manitoba. And that didn’t even include the women he’d probably hooked up with all over North America.

So why did Connor care? Why did itmatter to him personally?

It only mattered if it impacted the team. Connor was gonna have to lay down the law with Jesse about his behavior, that was all.

But when they reached the house, Connor lost his nerve.

Instead, he agreed to let Nolan go to his friend Kyler’s house again while he threw himself into the girls’ bedtime routines, reading Maura an extra story and listening while Evie haltingly read a chapter to him. By the time both girls had settled down, it was later than he’d expected.

Connor had hoped to catch Jesse watching TV in the basement or something, but when he passed Jesse’s door on the second floor, it was tightly shut and there was light streaming out under it.

Determined not to wuss out, Connor rapped sharply on the door.

It swung open a moment later to reveal Jesse who was shirtless, wearing low-slung gray sweats that showed off his v-line. Connor had the sudden urge to step forward, plant his lips on Jesse’s, and push him into the room until they were both sprawled across the bed.

Connor drank in the sight of Jesse’s body. Fuck, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about him. Couldn’t stop wanting him.

“What’s up?” Jesse asked, looking confused.

Connor rubbed his forehead, trying to focus on the task at hand. “Can we talk for a minute?”

Jesse stepped back. “If you want.”

Hell no. Connor stepped inside, closing the door behind him, which he belatedly realized was probably a terrible idea.I don’t wanna talk. I wanna—but no, nothing hewantedto do was actually a good idea.

“We need to talk about your relationship with Tanner Clayton,” was what came out instead.

“What relationship?” Jesse’s brow furrowed.

“You two have been … involved.” Connor crossed his arms over his chest.

Jesse shrugged. “We fucked, yeah. But that was a long time ago.”

“Well, I would strongly suggest you don’t get involved with a teammate,” Connor said.

“Oh, would you now?” Jesse mimicked his cross-armed posture, with one hip jutted out, a look of annoyance on his face.

“You’re already on thin ice with management and the—the addedcomplicationof being involved with a teammate is asking for trouble.”

“That’s my middle name!”

Fuck, it probably was.

“I just don’t think that it’s what theteamneeds,” Connor pressed.

“Fucking admit it, Connor,” Jesse said, leaning in, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “You’rejealous.”

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