Page 155 of Body Check

Despite a flurry of good attempts, the second period ended without another goal. Gavin took a short walk during intermission, checking his messages while he did it.

He still didn’t have anything concrete from Jed Reilly in LA but he continued to be hopeful they could make something happen.

Despite New Jersey’s attempt to apply pressure during the third period, Jesse stopped all of their shots and as the final two and a half minutes of the period ticked down, Gavin watched as New Jersey pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker on the ice.

“You think Webber will attempt another goalie goal?” Finn asked with a grin.

“Probably not,” Gavin said. “But I wouldn’t swear to it.”

Finn chuckled, leaning his elbows on the railing as New Jersey peppered the Harriers net with shots.

But after a stoppage in play where they set up for a faceoff in Boston’s defensive zone, Connor won the puck battle and shot it toward Moon. Moon whipped around the net and fired it to Graham who took off, skating hard toward the empty net.

Slow to respond after a long shift, New Jersey’s defense were too tired to keep up, their legs flagging. With a neat little flick of his wrist, Graham sent the puck into the goal, giving Boston a 3-0 lead and Graham another twenty-goal season.

It was his third straight season with at least twenty goals and Gavin nodded with satisfaction. “Damn I like Pennington,” he said. “He’s just so fucking solid. He’s always in the right position, he’s reliable on and off the ice. He’s … steady, you know?”

“Agreed,” Finn said as they set up for the remaining ninety seconds of the game. “I’d like to see a few more players out there like that.”

“Me too,” Gavin agreed. “I like what I saw out of Moon tonight though. Two assists are respectable. He’s been quietly racking them up, actually. They’re not always the showiest of plays but they’re solid, you know?”

“Exactly. We still need more, but it’s starting to come together, I think.”

The seconds ticked down and as the game horn sounded, Gavin pumped his fist. Hell yes. Not only had they won—and against a division rival—Jesse had gotten a really nice shutout.

Finn was right. The team wasn’t where it needed to be yet, but it was definitely on its way.

A few minutes later, Gavin ran into Dakota in the hall outside of the locker room and swept him up into his arms, giving him a lingering kiss.

“Well,” Dakota said a little breathlessly as they pulled apart. “You’re all fired up from the game, huh?”

“I’m feeling great,” Gavin said, reaching down to discreetly squeeze Dakota’s ass.

Dakota grinned, his eyes sparkling as he tucked his hair behind his ear. “Good to know. Love the tie, by the way.”

He nodded toward the blue tie Gavin wore. Dakota had bought it for him. It was a deep blue—midnight—so dark it was almost black.

“Thanks! It’s nice to have a little variety in my wardrobe,” he teased.

Dakota coughed, muttering something that sounded a lot like “Mr. Boring.”

Gavin tightened his grip. “Hey, I was just about to tell the boys how impressed I was with their game. You want to come with me?”

“Uh, sure,” Dakota said, looking vaguely confused.

But he took Gavin’s hand and let him tow him toward the locker room. With a wave of Gavin’s badge, the doors opened.

With it came the unmistakable scent of sweaty gear and the sound of loud, happy players.

Gavin stepped forward as Jesse yelled, “Love wins!” and a loud blast filled the air, followed immediately by a shower of rainbow-colored confetti.

Startled, Gavin laughed, batting the tiny pieces of tissue paper out of his face. Unfortunately, he’d been directly in the line of fire.

Jesse shot him a vaguely guilty look. “Sorry, Gavin. Didn’t realize anyone was coming in.”

“It’s fine,” he said with another laugh. “Just wanted to say congrats. That was a helluva game, boys!”

A cheer went up from around the room and Hoyt Kent stepped up beside him to give a little post-game speech and hand out some milestone pucks. One to Jesse for the shutout and another to Graham for hitting the twenty-goal mark.

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