Page 24 of Body Check

Dakota leaned his head against the cool, foggy train window, thoughts drifting to the trip ahead until it was time for him to disembark.

A bus took him to the smaller airstrip on the north side of the city and Gavin was stepping out of his sleek black sports car when Dakota arrived in plenty of time for the charter flight to California.

They boarded the plane on the windy, rainy tarmac, Dakota a few steps behind Gavin.

“Well, can’t say I’ll miss Boston this week,” Gavin admitted as he stepped into the plane, wiping some rain from his face with a grimace.

Dakota grinned, pushing the hood of his raincoat back when he was free of the wind and rain. “Maybe you should dress for the weather.”

Gavin glanced down at his sodden white shirt, which had probably been crisp when he left the house but was now verging on soggy. “I did. But unfortunately it was for California weather.”

Dakota laughed.

A flight attendant greeted them both cheerfully, offering a towel to Gavin and to hang Dakota’s jacket out of the way. They both thanked her, grateful for the assistance.

Dakota followed Gavin as he walked down the aisle to his usual seat.

The table Gavin stopped at seated four and left Gavin facing the back of the plane. He usually worked at his laptop, typing away furiously as he discussed things with the coaches who joined him there.

Dakota kept walking, sliding into the aisle seat in the row he preferred.

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” another flight attendant asked when he was seated. Dakota and Gavin had been some of the first to arrive, so the plane was still mostly empty.

“A green tea, please,” Dakota said gratefully, rubbing his hands together to warm them.

He still wasn’t used to being waited on like this. He was an economy flier, had been his whole life. The charter planes with their cushy comfortable seats, plenty of legroom, and the ability to ask for—and actually receive—anything he wanted, felt decadent.

After stowing his carry-on, Gavin immediately set up his laptop, folding back his damp sleeves into neat cuffs before he tucked earbuds in. His shirt was still slightly translucent from the rain, molding to his body, and Dakota was close enough he could see a few raindrops glistening on his forehead. His hair stuck up every which way from the vigorous towel drying he’d given it, and Dakota hid a smile.

Once again, Dakota wondered what Gavin had thought of the training plan he’d sent last night.

Truthfully, the first session with Gavin had shown him to be both better and worse than expected. Less physically flexible than Dakota had hoped, but more willing to listen to guidance.

It was probably the best-case scenario. Certainly easier to work with than if the reverse had been true.

“Morning. All ready for a week in California?” Leah asked with a bright grin, and Dakota stood to allow her to take the window seat beside him.

“Morning,” he said, tucking his bag under the seat ahead of him and making sure it wasn’t encroaching on her space. “And yeah, it’ll be a nice change of pace.”

They’d become flying buddies pretty early into the season. Once the plane took off, Dakota usually liked to read or nap, and Leah was a hard-core napper so they were well-suited to beingseatmates. Before takeoff, they usually caught up and chatted about life.

Danny, the goaltending coach, arrived next, giving them a brief wave before sliding into his seat a few rows ahead of them. He was a talker during flights and sat with Darryl Schultz—the video coach.

The team began filing on soon after. Connor and Jesse arrived together but Connor sat toward the front of the players’ section, while Jesse always headed toward the back to sit with Tanner Clayton.

Today, Connor slid into his seat, tilting his chin up so Jesse could drop a kiss on his lips on the way past.

They’d only come out to the team recently, so Dakota was a little surprised by the easy familiarity of the gesture. Then again, their involvement hadn’t exactly been any great secret from the team, apparently, who’d had a pool on when they’d come out.

Dakota hadn’t known either of them well enough to figure out they were involved, although looking back, it did make sense. Jesse had glowed whenever Connor was around, and Leah had commented a few weeks ago on how much happier Connor seemed this season.

“Hey. Move it, Webby,” Luke Crawford said with a grumble, nudging Jesse forward when he lingered near Connor’s row, smiling at him. “Make out with the captain on your own time. I have a date with a nap.”

Considering the kind of comment Dakota had half-expected from him, that was surprisingly tolerant.

Dakota glanced away to find Gavin looking at him. Their gazes caught and he gave a faint roll of his eyes as he nodded toward Crawford’s retreating back. Dakota smirked, then ducked his head, afraid someone would catch him making fun of a player, no matter how mildly.

A moment later, the attendant arrived with his tea and the plane grew exponentially louder as more guys filed on. Some looked half-asleep, others wide awake as they settled into their seats.

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