Page 54 of Goaltender Interference

“Yeah. His husband Antoni is a teacher and they have four kids.” Jesse poured some rolled oats into the pan of warm milk.

“Right. The kids lost their parents or something, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Jesse frowned. “Antoni was their guardian and he and Matty started seeing each other and they wound up getting married and adopting them.”

Which was only about half the story but it wasn’t Jesse’s to tell.

“Nice. Impressive the way Carlson stepped up.”

“He’s a good guy. Total marshmallow.” Jesse turned to face Connor.

Connor pressed his fingertips to his jaw, grumbling, “Not sure if I fuckin believe you.”

Jesse smirked, assuming Matty had gotten in some good hits. “How often have you two tangled?”

“Pretty often,” Connor said with a quiet chuckle. “He’s—shit, Jesse! Your oats!”

“Fuck!” Jesse turned back to face the burner, where the milk and oats were boiling furiously. He yanked the pan off the burner, hot liquid pouring over the top of the gas range and splashing onto his hand.

“Hey, you okay?” Connor was up out of his seat in an instant, settling a hand on Jesse’s lower back. “Are you burned?”

“Nah,” Jesse said, glancing down at his fingers. They were barely pink. “Good reflexes. I dodged the worst of it.”

“Good. It can’t hurt to run them under cool water for a minute or so though. I’ll clean up while you do that.” Connor flicked off the burner, then reached for some paper towel.

“Sorry,” Jesse said, sticking his hand under a stream of cool water. “I was trying to help! Just made a fucking mess instead.”

Which was, honestly, the story of his life.

Connor grinned over his shoulder as he lifted off the burner grates, then mopped at the milky mess on the range top. “It’s okay. I know you’re naturally a chaos demon.”

“I don’t mean to be,” Jesse said with a sigh.

“Hey, I know that too.” Connor was still smiling as he carried the sodden paper towels to the pull-out trash bin. Jesse nudged it open with his toe and Connor dropped the towels inside. “You can’t help yourself.”

Jesse made a face but it was kind of true. He was impulsive and chaotic but he nevermeantto cause disasters.

“How’s the hand?” Connor touched his back again, fingers dipping underneath Jesse’s tee and skating across his bare skin.

Jesse shivered.

“Good.” He held his hand up. “See?”

“Good. Now, how about I handle the hot things and you deal with the rest?” Connor asked teasingly.

“Probably for the best,” Jesse said, turning off the water. “I forget how fast things heat up with a gas range. I am sorry about the mess though.”

Connor smiled, his fingers still warm on Jesse’s skin when he teased below the waistband of Jesse’s shorts. “I know. But you were trying to do something nice for me and I appreciate the attempt.”

“Hey,” Jesse said softly, turning to face Connor. He was now boxed in against the counter, their chest and hips pressed together, feet tangled. “So, I know we’ll probably be wiped out tonight after camp, but do you want to hook up later?”

“Hell yeah.” Connor’s voice turned husky. “I’d love that. Maybe we can?—”

“Daddy!” The thunder of little feet on the steps made them spring apart.

Connor had a guilty expression on his face as he hastily turned away, grabbing more paper towels. “Hey, Maura-girl,” he said roughly when she joined them in the kitchen. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good. What’s for breakfast?” She walked over and tugged at his sleeve.

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