Page 75 of Penalty Zone

He swallows every drop and licks his lips. “If you check your watch, I’ll bet it was less than two minutes, and you’ll see… I’m going to play better than you’ve ever imagined.” He zips me up and pats my crotch. I’m useless at the moment.

When he turns to go, I grab his wrist. “Can we spend midnight together?” He’s the only one I’ve ever felt the need to kiss at midnight.

“There’s no place I’d rather be. I’ll figure it out.” He slips out the door, and I sag against it. Some idiot thought a New Year’s Eve game in Vegas was a good idea. The team might go overboard tonight. I shouldn’t have asked him to come to me. He should enjoy the night out with the guys.

After I check myself to ensure I’m presentable, I enter the hallway and run into Ari Dimon. “Hey. At some point, I’d like to get on your schedule for a conversation.”

“No time like the present. Walk with me.” Ari strides toward the elevator, and I assume he’s on the way to his suite.

“This needs to be a private conversation,” I hedge as we enter the elevator.

“Will it take long?” he asks.

“I guess that depends on your reaction.”

Ari hits the stop button on the elevator, and it jolts.

“I thought people only did that in the movies.” Ari’s not amused, so I press on. “I won’t waste your time, so right to the point. I’m sleeping with Benz. I talked to him about stepping down, but he would like me to stay. If you’re okay with that, I’d like to be taken off the payroll and listed as a volunteer coach.” I plead my case calmly.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “When I told you to fix it, this is not what I had in mind.”

A laugh leaks out. “Sir, it’s not what I intended either. Ideally, I would tell Mason first, but Caleb isn’t ready for that.” He’s younger than I am, but calling him sir shows my deference.

He laces his fingers and eyes me shrewdly. “Then why tell me?”

“I respect you and want to be up front. These things have a way of coming out at the worst time, and you should be aware. Caleb’s young, and I’m protective, hoping to shield him as much as possible when the media discovers our relationship.”

“And you’re committed?” he questions.

“If I have my way, this relationship will outlast his career.” My intentions are clear, and now he can decide how he will handle the information.

Ari restarts the elevator. “Thank you for your candor. I will accommodate your request…for now. If things change, I will act in the best interest of my team and my player.”

“I respect that.” I let out a breath.

He shakes his head and pins me with his gaze. “I thought maybe you changed your hair to seem more approachable, but I suspect it’s Benz’s influence. Some days, I wonder if I’m running a hockey team or a goddamn dating service.”

The elevator dings, sliding open, and I bow with a grin. “I thank you for your service, sir.” He gets out with a chuckle, and I ride it back down to the team.

I may have created a monster. Caleb has saved every shot on goal. Our defense has broken down so many times they need resuscitation. We’re winning 2-0, and Caleb is the reason. Vegas has outshot us 12-6 in the first period.

“Benz is the only one on the ice who doesn’t have his head up his ass,” Coach bellows between periods, and it echoes off the lockers. He launches into how the defenders can help Caleb and play to keep the puck on the offensive side.

Caleb catches my eye and mouths, “Superpowers.”

When we’re in the tunnel heading to the ice, I walk alongside Caleb. “You’re playing great. I’m so proud of you.”

He preens and flushes a little. My man is so adorable.

Vegas comes out swinging. They read our weakness on defense and exploit it on every play. Caleb’s reflexes are lightning fast.

Vegas’s center skates right at Caleb, fakes to the left wing, and smacks a no-look pass to the right wing, who fires low at a perfect angle just out of Caleb’s reach. But Caleb launches himself at the puck and gets his glove on it to deflect it to Ace’s waiting stick. Our bench is on their feet screaming.

Ace clears the puck and races down the ice. Lucky and Drake dodge defenders and pass back and forth until Ace gets in position, but he hits the pipes. Vegas smashes Lucky into the boards and steals the puck. Drake retaliates with a clean check and wins the puck back. He shoots from the outside, but the Vegas goalie saves it.

I’ve watched tens of thousands of hours of tape, and Caleb outmatches any goalie I’ve ever seen. The game is still 2-0 when the horn ends the second period.

In the locker room, Caleb’s twerking like he hasn’t been performing acrobatics in the goal. “Be the puck. Visualize it soaring into the net.” He slaps Drake on the back.

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