Page 104 of Skating to Him

“It is.” I pressed a lingering kiss on his mouth.

When we got homea few days later, Rowan met with the Blackhawks scout, and we played our best game yet that night.

Then, a month later, we were so unstoppable that the whole league had taken notice, calling us the dynamic duo of college hockey. Our team didn’t make it past the second round of the championships, but Rowan and I had shone.

Now, the season was over, and as I studied with Rowan at the dinette in the squad house, my phone chimed with a text message. I picked it up and read the message.

Dean Wilson

I’ve got news for both you and Rowan. Do you happen to be together?

As my pulse sped up a notch, I typed back.

Tyler

Yes, we’re together.

“Who’s that?” Rowan shut his laptop, peering at me.

Myles, sitting on the couch, reading, turned around. “What’s going on?”

“Dean. He says he’s got news for Rowan and me.” As my phone buzzed in my hand, I answered the call and put it on speaker. “Hey, Dean. What’s up? I’ve got you on speaker here with Rowan. My friend Myles is in the room too.”

“Okay, well, good news.” He freed a soft chuckle.

“Yeah?” I grabbed Rowan’s hand as it rested on the table. This was it.

“The Blackhawks want to sign you, Tyler, and they’re inviting Rowan to development camp this summer. They want to see if you two can pull off what you’ve been doing in Arizona for the Blackhawks.” He sucked in a breath. “If they like what they see, they’ll sign you both.”

“Are you shitting me?” As my jaw dropped, I covered my mouth with my free hand and squeezed Rowan’s. Our dream was about to come true.

Rowan stared at me. “Holy shit, we did it.”

“Not yet, uh…” Dean said.

I tsked. “Dean, you know damn well with my dad’s coaching over the summer, we’ll be even better by camp time. There’s no way in hell they won’t sign us both.” He knew my family by now. We played to win every time.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Dean huffed a laugh. “I should know better than to doubt a Hodge,” he said. “I do have one question.”

“What’s that?” I glanced at Myles standing by the couch, wide-eyed and watching us.

“You two are together, right? I mean, off the ice? You’re boyfriends?” Dean asked.

Shit, we’d never told him, but then no one had asked. We’d somehow skated by all the bullshit my friends had endured when their relationships had come to light. I pursed my lips. “We are. Do you think that will matter?”

“Not if you keep playing at the level you’re at. With your friends Mason and Jett being a known couple on the same offensive line and breaking records, I think you’ll be fine. Just don’t mention it untilafterthey sign you.” He chuckled.

“No worries, we’ll keep it under wraps until then.” I leaned over and kissed Rowan’s cheek. “Right, babe?”

“Right.” He beamed at me.

“Good. Once I get the details, I’ll send them over, and we’ll go through them. Congratulations, boys,” Dean said.

“Thank you so much, Dean. We couldn’t have done this without you.” With a smile tugging at my lips, I said, “Bye now.”I ended the call and faced Rowan. “Babe, we did it. We’re going to Chicago!”

With a squeal, Myles rounded the couch and jogged to us. “Group hug!” He threw his arms around both of us, and we all embraced, jumping and laughing.

Ace threw the front door open and halted, staring at us. “What in the world…?”

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