Page 78 of Snapping the Ice
Holy shit, my test results had come in. I clicked the link, entered personal information into a few fields on the website, and clicked. A message displayed—all test results came back negative. Call us for questions.
“Oh, damn.” So, I had some good news and some bad news for Lucas. Will he be up for our plans after playing so hard in the game? He’d been enjoying the benefits of having a prostate for days now. My phone buzzed in my hand and a text came through.
Lucas
Be home in a few minutes. I’m pumped after that game. Can’t wait to see you.
I had my answer. I wouldn’t spoil his mood and tell him about the letter tonight. Tate’s bullshit could wait. I tucked the note into my wallet.
Fifteen minutes later, Lucas and Evan burst through the front door, laughing.
With a smile on my face, I stood at the refrigerator. Surely, they’d want beers.
“Ezra, I’m home.” Lucas strolled to me in the kitchen, wrapped me in a bear hug and lifted me off the floor, pressing a hard kiss on my mouth. “Did you see the game?”
“Yes, I was there with your brother, remember?” I giggled as he set me down. “Want a beer?”
“Hell yes.” Beaming at me, Evan strode to my side and planted a kiss on my cheek.
“Dude, chill.” With his brows dropping, Lucas pushed Evan away.
“Come on, it was a buddy kiss. Right?” Evan patted my back.
“Right.” Surprising, but not really. I flung the refrigerator door open, pulled out two beers and snicked them open. As I handed them out, I said, “So…the guy who took your stick?—”
“What a fucking douche canoe!” With a scowl, Lucas sipped his beer. “His hit was a penalty, but the refs didn’t call it.” His gaze found Evan’s. “And dude, where were you? You should have pounded him for me.”
“I was helping Gagnon defend our goal.” With a tut, he drank some beer. “You’re a big boy and I knew you could take him.”
“Whatever. Let’s sit on the couch and wind down.” Lucas grabbed my hand, led me to the sofa, and pulled me in next to him. “So, how was my brother?” He smirked, holding the beer to his lips. “Did he tell you all my secrets?”
“Some” My mind replayed some of our conversation. Should I bring up what he’d said about coming out to their parents? Maybe not in front of Evan. “He and Jett make a perfect couple. Your brother’s a hothead, and Jett knows how to cool him down.”
“They’re like that on the ice, too. I think it’s why the coaches are still letting them play on the same line, even though they’re married.” He squeezed my hand. “What else?”
“It was a crash course in hockey. Which plays were valid and who was playing like shit.” I chuckled. Mason had some definite opinions.
“Yeah? What are his opinions about the guyson our team?” Lucas sipped his beer and draped an arm across the back of the sofa, behind my shoulders.
Evan held his palm to me. “Don’t tell me if Mason thought I played bad tonight. I don’t want to hear it.”
With a smirk, I drank some beer. “Actually, he didn’t say too much about you. Just that Lucas played well.” In fact, Mason was convinced Lucas was ready for the NAPH.
“He said that?” Lucas’s eyes widened. “What else?”
“He thinks you’re ready to move up.” I fingered the pull tab on my beer can. I better not give him hope if there wasn’t any.
“Seriously?” His mouth dropped open. “That says a lot. I don’t think I’m ready to play with Mason’s buddy, Archer Carlson, but damn.” He twisted his lips. “I wonder if he’s heard anything from the D-line coach.”
“Isn’t that Archer’s dad?” Evan drank some beer.
“Yeah.” Lucas faced me. “Archer Carlson is a first-line D-man for the Cardinals. He played with my brother in college and his father coaches the D-line for them. And what’s really cool? They’re both bisexual.”
I lifted my brows. “Is all of hockey like that? Family ties to the sport?” What an advantage it could be. I glanced at Evan. Did he have ties like this?
“A lot of it is.” Lucas smirked at Evan. “Evan’s dad is a manager for the Rochester Copperheads.”
“That he is.” Evan chuckled. “I grew up watching hockey with my dad and started skating when I was four.”
