Page 26 of Catch
“Not really. It’s pretty average.”
“Do you ride horses like a real cowboy?”
“Every day.”
“Can I come to visit?”
Jett’s sudden burst of laughter has him smiling for real, and he lights up the whole damn hallway. I can’t stop staring at him, and without thinking, I step closer. He reaches up and tugs on the silver box chain around his neck.
“Not until you apologize.”
“You’re not gonna let that go, are you?”
Suddenly, Gage reappears in front of us.
“Are you guys still arguing?”
“No,” I reply at the same time Jett says, “Yes.”
“Come on, kiss and make up already.”
My visceral reaction to that image is immediate. I inhale sharply and start to cough while Gage shakes his head.
“Or don’t. Either way, Dane has an announcement to make, so get your asses back to the kitchen,” Gage adds. “He’s waiting on both of you.”
Hmm, I wonder what that’s about?
We stride into the kitchen to find Dane standing in the center with his boyfriend Jackson by his side. The Cougars and the Crew are gathered around the island, and my frat bros too.
“Finally,” Dane says as he spots me. “What were you guys up to?”
“Nothing.”
I hear Silas’s chuckle and give him a warning look.
“Okay, now that everyone’s here, I think it’s the perfecttime to share some exciting news,” Dane announces and motions to Jace. “Jace?”
Jace places a nervous hand on his baseball cap, and steps forward.
“So, I wanted you guys to be the first to know that I—” Jace glances at Axel and his boyfriend smiles back. “I’ve been invited to try out for Philadelphia.”
There’s total silence in the room.
“You mean—” I start.
“Yep. I’m headed for their training camp in a few weeks.”
The room erupts with cheers and hollers, and I head over to congratulate my friend. This news isn’t shocking to anyone who knows Jace. The guy is a superstar, and he’s earned this opportunity.
“And he’s not the only one,” Dane continues and points at Finn. “Mr. Baran has also received a similar invitation to New York.”
“Finntastic!” I holler and everyone laughs.
There’s a group hug and more cheering until Dane holds a hand up and the room quiets again.
“As you guys can already tell, this fall semester will be different than our usual. Not only because some of our teammates will be moving on—” Dane pauses, and I can tell from his expression he’s getting choked up. Jackson leans in and offers him a reassuring hug. “As you know, the National College Athletic Competition, which takes place every three years, is being hosted by Sutton University this fall. In fact, it’s only a few weeks away. This is a major event for the school, and for our athletic department. A group of Sutton ambassadors have been assigned to welcome visiting students from across the country, and I’m honored to have been chosen as chief ambassador to lead the student delegation.”
There’s a round of claps and hollers for Dane. No one deserves that honor more than him. He’s more than ourhockey captain; he’s a guy who exemplifies leadership, both on and off the ice.
