Page 53 of Make the Play

I whip toward him. “You what?”

“Oh, yeah,” Logan deadpans. “Scientific purposes. Strictly academic.”

I stare at the high rafters of the arena ceiling, hoping they may fall and kill me. “Oh myfuckinggod.”

Logan shrugs. “Not our fault you moan like a porn star, bud.”

“Your time will come, Miller.”

“Doubt it.”

Jake taps his stick against the ice. “Alright, break it down for us. Who leaked it?”

I exhale sharply, rubbing the back of my neck. “Old fling… Years ago.”

Reid, who’s been silent this whole time and standing in the net like the brooding mountain he is, finally grumbles his way into the conversation.

“This is why you don’t film shit.”

Logan snorts. “Alright, Grandpa.”

Reid glares. “I’m serious. If I get a fucking text from my mom about your moaning again, I’ll end you.”

I choke. “Yourmomsaw it?!”

“She’s on social media, you asshole.”

I open my mouth to reply, but we all turn at the same time towards a commotion at the boards. Eli. Back from his honeymoon, gliding across the ice like he didn’t just disappear for two weeks of vacation sex. He looks entirely too relaxed, tanned, and happy. Disgusting.

He reaches us at center ice and lifts his chin in greeting, casually flipping a puck off the blade of his stick.

“Morning, degenerates.”

Ryan grins. “Look who finally came home.”

“Just in time for the gossip,” Logan adds. “You hear about our boy’s greatest hits video?”

Eli side-eyes me. “I did. Briefly debated unfriending you.”

Jake doesn’t miss a beat. “Bet Tamara watched it.”

“She said it was poorly lit.”

I curse loudly as they all chuckle together. “Can wenotdo this?!”

“Fine,” Ryan says, relenting. “Let’s talk about your next move. What’s the plan? Did John say you have to vow celibacy? Maybe date a nun?”

I don’t even think, I just say it.

“Didn’t have to. I’m dating Zoe now. Officially off the market.”

The silence is immediate and sharp. Logan turns his head slowly, blinking as if he misheard me. Ryan’s mouth falls open, and Reid stares at me like I’ve personally insulted his lineage.

Jake is the first to break. “I’m sorry…what?”

“I’m dating Zoe,” I repeat, with what I hope is an effortless shrug. “It’s new.”

Ryan barks out a laugh. “No, you’re not.”

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