Page 85 of Misconduct Zone

Most of the team is already here, along with Trevor’s cousin Shane, his husband, Cole, and Finn.

“The twins beat us here.” I grab Lars’s hand and pull him over to Austin and Grayson, who are both wearing black pants and light-blue button-down shirts.

“Do not.” Ace holds up his hand. “The statistical probability of us wearing the same basic outfit day after day has to work in our favor at some point. It’s like there are gremlins in our closets, handing us the same clothes.”

“Now it’s gremlins, before it was ghosts. What kinda hellhole do you live in?” I bounce on my toes and don’t wait for them to answer. “We’ve already decided it’s the brain-sharing thing. There’s only so much independent thinking you can do for your jobs. The clothes are the obvious chink in your armor.” That makes Lars laugh, and Gray gives me the finger.

“Careful,käraste, you never know what Grayson will do to get back at you.” He kisses my temple.

“Next time something hurts, I’ll send you to Ace since he’ll probably be using the brain cells.” Gray rolls his neck as if the conversation is giving him a headache.

“I never get hu—”

“Do not say that out loud and invite bad karma in. You said the same thing at the beginning of last season right before…” Lars gestures to my shoulder.

“Really? I said something like that?” I ask and he nods. “You remember?”

“When my best friend turned love of my life says something careless, then injures himself, it sticks in my mind.” Lars’s hand lands possessively on my hip.

“Don’t make the hockey gods mad,” Caleb hollers from the sofa. “We’re holding a big drink thing over our heads this year. Aren’t we, big guy?” Caleb turns to Patrik, who holds up his drink to salute him.

“Bunch of superstitious, hysterical hockey players.” Trevor shakes his head. “Can you not even say The Stan—”

“No,” everyone shouts at him. Trevor jumps in surprise, and Finn cackles.

A timer goes off, and Trevor disappears into the kitchen, shouting over his shoulder, “Dinner in ten minutes. Who’s carving the turkey for me?”

Patrik gives the volunteers the evil eye and stalks into the kitchen.

After we’re all seated, Patrik stands at the head of the table. “You are my teammates, my friends, my family. Thank you for supporting us and accepting our relationship.” He holds out his glass, and the rest of us cheers to him.

The team asked me if I’d prefer the day to be alcohol-free, and I don’t. I want them to celebrate without worrying about me and my sobriety. I have my year chip in my pocket and am confident the worst is behind me. There’s a tiny worry about what will happen if I get injured and need to take pain meds, but this time I will have support and help.

“Any other big announcements?” Caleb waggles his eyebrows at Lars.

“What, you think he’s going to get down on one knee and propose in front of all you assholes?” I laugh, but Lars stands and bends over. I stop breathing, and in my head, I’m screaming “stop.”

But Lars looks up with a grin. “What? I am tying my shoe.”

“Goddamnit. You mother fucker.” Finn crosses his arms and huffs. “If you were my boyfriend, I’d withhold sex for a month.” When Caleb clucks his tongue, he amends, “A week at least.”

Lars slides back into his seat with a worried expression. “Did I screw up?”

“No, Sugar.” I inhale, letting it out slowly. “You almost gave me a heart attack, but no screwup. Just to be clear, if you do ever ask me to marry you, we should discuss it first and not do it in front of these idiots,” I say in a low voice.

He kisses me, and the room fades away.

“Didn’t I tell you we’d have to put up with kissy faces,” Caleb complains.

“Get yourself a girlfriend, and you won’t feel that way.” Ace points his knife at Caleb.

“Girlfriend, boyfriend, whichever.” He shrugs and then his gaze sweeps the table. “I mean, you all know I’m bisexual, right?”

There’s silence until Trevor speaks up. “Honey, you dropped hints but since no one wants to out someone else, you need to be real specific, like your last statement.”

“I’ve known since college and have been waiting for you to tell me.” Mason side-eyes him.

“It’s like these guys said. Why do I have to announce it? I figured I’d be knee-deep in pussy or dick by now, but I’m not into sex with people who only see my jersey. They gotta like the whole package.” Caleb stabs his turkey with his fork.

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