Page 71 of Misconduct Zone

His kiss becomes frantic, and his nails dig into my flesh.

“I love you.” He pulls back so he can see me fully.

“I know.” I grin and kiss the tip of his nose. “I was afraid it wasn’t possible, but you don’t do anything half-assed. I’ll love you until the day I die,” I vow.

“In like a hundred years.” Lars scowls.

“I’ve been thinking,” I pause, “about what it would be like to tell our friends.” He stiffens but I forge ahead. “All the reasons to stay quiet still exist, but I don’t want to hide us. But I won’t push you into anything.”

“Push me? This is new to you. I have been falling in love with you for a year, but we have only been together for a couple of months. Coming out changes everything.” His blue eyes reflect light like a bright summer sky.

“I’m not suggesting a formal presser like Jayce and announce it to the world. But Patrik and Trevor know, and we can count on them and Jayce to help us ifthe media or fan attention becomes too much. What do you think?” We’re on our sides facing each other, and my palm rests over his hammering pulse.

“When Patrik came out, I couldn’t imagine being as brave as him, but I understand. Knowing you love me makes me want to shout my feelings for you from the tallest building.”

“Good, because the team probably has an idea already since you went feral and refused to leave my side. It will be easier to explain. But…” I contemplate how to say this. “We should wait until after a win.”

“We definitely do not want a bunch of superstitious hockey players associating our relationship with losing.” A few clouds drift into the blue of his eyes. “I am afraid one of us will get traded.”

“Nope. We’re the dream team. When you, me, and Ace are on fire, no one can stop us and we win games. We keep winning, and it’s smooth sailing.” I float my hand in the air.

“Glad to have my boys back,” Ace says as we enter the locker room to everyone’s cheers. The energy and expectations are palpable, and I can’t wait to play.

“Ready, aim, fire.” I pretend to score a goal with my hockey stick.

“Should I sage you?” Benz asks Lars.

“Our fearless center has shaken off Germany and is ready to destroy Dallas,” I answer for him.

“Do not let him fool you. He has done an exorcism and burned sage. He almost set my hair on fire.” Lars grimaces, running a hand through his hair as if remembering.

The room is silent for a beat, and Benz says, “A joke. Haha. I get it.” And any doubts about the game die in peals of laughter.

The last week has been the best and worst. Lars loves me and we’re making a life together, but Doc wouldn’t clear him to play until tonight, so we haven’t been able to tellanyone about us.

Lars had to rebuild his stamina, but he owned yesterday’s practice and shredded our defenders. We need a W tonight. Everyone stepped up in our absence, but we lost two games when both Lars and I were out.

I’m dying to tell everyone so I can look at my man and not worry about what they think. That’s probably naïve. Finn stopped by our apartment unannounced two days ago to discuss how the team has officially responded to theDaddy Drake’s Propertyshirt debacle, Lars getting ejected and fined for misconduct, and our coinciding illnesses. Speculation has gone wild, ranging from the truth that we’re in a relationship to the outlandish that we’re creating PR stunts to gain internet fame. As if we could fake sickness and get out of playing pro hockey.

Okay, maybe I manufactured an elevated temp, but it definitely wasn’t for media attention. It was to take care of the man I love.

Coach gives a speech, and it’s great up until he warns us not to get ejected from the game. The team shoots Lars nervous glances.

The crowd welcomes us with deafening screams and stomping.

Lars becomes Drake the Dragon, fluid and flying over the ice. Being in love strengthens our telepathic bond, and we connect on everything with Ace there to score or to take out a defender.

Lars has three men on him but stretches out and stays ahead of them to get a pass off to Ace. Ace shoots low, and it ricochets off the goalie’s leg pad, and my stick’s right there to fire it in over his shoulder.

Ace steals the puck before they can clear it and draws the defenders before dishing it to Lars for another score.

I’m flying high.

Nothing can stop us.

Dallas fights like the lions they are for the puck at every turn, and half the game is played against the boards. I don’t mind—they can’t win tonight. The home crowd carries us higher, helping us skate faster.

The game’s basically won with one minute left in the third period, and we’re up by three. We don’t let up, and there will be no miracles for the Lions tonight.

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