Page 49 of Scoring Slater
Their teammates gathered around them, bringing more hugs and pats on the back.
As the PA announcer credited him with the goal, and the post-game commenced, Noah waited as the rest of his teammates exited the ice. Kelsey met him at the bench, with her microphone raised and cameraman in tow. "Congratulations on your hat trick. Take us through that last goal."
"Celek set me up for a great shot. It helped to have Paquette creating a screen in front of the goalie. The team worked together the whole game and I'm happy we got the win."
"Slater also had a goal tonight, we're bringing him out as one of our other stars of the game."
Slater skated back onto the ice and raised his stick to the crowd. The arena erupted in cheers.
Kelsey lowered the microphone as the crowd noise began to die down. She motioned for Slater to join them. "Do you want to say something, Slater?"
"I do." He raised the mic and smiled at the camera. "Thank you to the fans for cheering us on, both on and off the ice. And Happy Pride Night, guys. We're happy you're here."
The atmosphere was electric. Noah had never heard a crowd cheer that loudly.
Smiling, Kelsey lowered the microphone to her side. "Thanks, guys."
As they walked down the tunnel, side by side, Slater's arm came around him. He glanced at the hand resting on his shoulder. He'd missed the touches, the connection, with an overwhelming fierceness.
They entered the locker room to cheers and celebration. Noah floated through the post-game conditioning and press conference. His mind was full of Slater, and focused on the conversation they needed to have.
Heartbeat banging like a drum, he waited for Slater by the door and bid goodnight to passing teammates as they made their way into the cold night air.
Slater came toward him, dressed in his gray suit. He stopped a few feet away. He held Noah's gaze and his teeth sank into his lower lip. "So…"
Noah resisted the urge to grab hold of Slater's hands. "Will you come home with me so we can talk?"
He nodded.
Leo and Vince headed their way. As they passed, Leo laid his hand on Slater's shoulder and fist-bumped Noah. "It's good to see you looking happy."
Vince patted both Slater and Noah on the back. "See you later."
"Night, guys." Noah waved as the door closed behind them.
Slater smiled. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and took a step closer. "Want me to drive?"
Tilting his head to the side, Noah palmed his keys and pretended to consider the offer. "I made it to the rink in one piece, didn't I?"
"It's best not to tempt fate twice in one day."
Laughing, Noah handed over the keys.
During the drive back to the apartment, Slater's phone kept pinging with notifications, but he kept it in his pocket and his hands on the steering wheel. Noah kept his gaze on Slater and tried to remember everything he wanted to say.
It was like old times, with Slater and him driving home after a game, and yet, it wasn't.
When they got inside the apartment, he stood by the front door, dragging his hand through his hair. They had a lot to talk about and he didn't want to mess anything up. "Do you want some tea?"
Slater removed his coat and hung it on the hook, then took Noah's out of his hands and hung it for him. "That was a pretty big thing you did tonight."
"The kiss or the tattoo? Hell, I'd do the kiss every game if that would show you how serious I am about us. And the tattoo is on the center of my chest for a reason. It'll be front and center every time my shirt's off."
The pings from Slater's phone kept coming. He pulled it from his pocket and swiped his finger across the screen. His brows lifted and then drew together. "Sorry, I was going to turn off the volume. But speaking of front and center, look."
Noah leaned in, close enough to see the screen and to feel Slater's warmth through his shirt. Text messages from former teammates, guys in the league, some of Slater's buddies, and some of their own Bedlam teammates filled the screen, all either asking if he and Noah were now together again or offering congratulations after seeing the kiss.
Noah raised his gaze to Slater's. "It went viral?"
