Page 94 of Penalty Zone

“Reports say you were at the hospital with Leo Griffin. Is that true?”

“Did Mason try to injure his father?”

“Mason and I are best friends, and our on-ice fight was from frustration and fear. He’s like my brother, and we scuffle sometimes.” I barely pause to get this over with. “Mason would never try to hurt his father, and we both visited him in the hospital. They are like family to me. Thank you.” I walk forward, forcing them to move out of my way.

“Media time is over. Please exit.” I hear Finn usher everyone out.

“You good?” Ace fist-bumps me.

“They didn’t ask one question about our loss,” I complain.

After a quick shower, I rush home to Leo.

“Darling, I’m home,” I sing as I let myself into Leo’s apartment. Mason groans, and Leo types away. I will never tire of watching Leo’s aura change color when I walk into a room. It’s a nonverbal cue of how much he loves me.

Darling? That’s different, it states without the inflection Leo would give it.

I round the couch to kiss his temple on his good side. “Can’t call you Daddy or Lovie with your son here,” I whisper in his ear and watch his neck flush, knowing he can’t respond. While he’s distracted, I change the voice on the tablet.

“Tough game.” Mason notices the gift bag.

“Yeah, and then I defended your honor,” I say, and he covers his eyes.

“How long do you think they’ll focus on that?” he asks.

Until you have a winning streak or one of you does something even stupider, the device says for Leo, and Mason groans.

Unable to wait, I dangle the bag in Leo’s face. “Got you a present.” He tries to catch it, but I twirl it out of his reach. “You know how you’re worried about the permanent scar?” His eyebrows scrunch, and Mason makes a guilty, strangled sound. Probably should’ve waited until he left. Impulse control: not in check.

“Anyway, I thought you would look cool as fuck wearing this.” I flourish the jeweled black mask from the bag. Leo stares at it, and I place it in his hands. “You’ll be like the sickest Phantom of the Opera guy in Enforcers colors.” I had the mask bedazzled with purple gems.

Leo types and in an Italian accent says,You’re a dick.

“You love my dick.” I snuggle into his side and kiss his neck.

“Aren’t you the one who complained about having to watch teammates kissy face? I’m not interested in seeing my father andmy teammate,” Mason complains, throwing my words back at me. “I should go.”

He’s doing his best to accept us. Most of the time, he’s faking it, but he’s trying and we appreciate it. Eventually, he’ll stop cringing.

I walk Mason to the door and give him a bro hug. A few days ago, when Leo was sleeping, we made a friendship pact. He’s going to spend most of his time here with us while Leo recovers, and after that, we’ll have roommate nights and video game marathons. I promised him we wouldn’t lose each other, and I meant it.

Leo moves gingerly as if he doesn’t trust himself to walk without jostling his jaw. He isn’t one to complain, but this has taken so much from him. He enjoys solitude, and we’ve invaded his space. I hate how he’s in constant pain, and I asked the doctor about sex out of earshot of Leo. The doctor said we should wait two weeks since most people strain their face and neck muscles when they orgasm. So my plan to distract him is on hold.

I need to improvise.

Chapter 41

Leo

It’s incredible to be back at the ice rink after a long couple of weeks. Ari has invited me into his suite, and although I prefer to be near Caleb, it’s safer here. No dodging players or sticks or pucks. The suite screams luxury with leather armchairs to view the game and a chef waiting to serve us with another attendant for drinks.

“Tampa should be an interesting game.” Ari stands next to me at the glass above the balcony seats. “We traded Richardson for our defender, Kenney. Richardson was a cancer in our locker room. Entitled.”

I’m not adept enough to keep a conversation going by typing a response since people talk much faster.

“Even if we don’t win, I hope Drake wipes the ice with Richardson.” He folds his arms and surveys his team.

I hold my closed hand up, and he fist-bumps me, then I type,Wish for both but don’t say it out loud.

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