Page 133 of Cheap Shot

“Fair enough,” Sebastian said. “Hey. How long do you think you’ll play for?”

Luke glanced away. “Fuck if I know.”

“Touchy subject?” Sebastian asked.

Luke still didn’t look at him. “Kind of. Just fucking frustrated with the way my body’s been feeling. Like it’s one thing after another lately, you know? Dunno how long I’ll be able to do this.”

“Given the choice, you’d play until they had to cart you off the ice in a body bag, wouldn’t you?” Sebastian asked drily.

“Pretty much.” Luke rubbed a hand over his face. “Don’t think I’m gonna get that option though.”

“No?”

Luke sighed, still staring at the ceiling. “I’m—I’m uh, my contract’s up at the end of the year, like I told you before. And so far, my agent and Gavin can’t seem to come to terms.”

“Ahh yeah, I remember you saying that over the break. Still no agreement on that?”

“No. I was pretty relieved I didn’t get traded at the deadline, to be honest.”

Sebastian scoffed. “There’s no way inhellGavin would trade you, especially with Boston looking to make some noise in the playoffs. You’re too valuable.”

Luke gave him a crooked grin. “Oh, am I?”

Sebastian scoffed and lightly thwacked him in the ribs. “Come on. You know it’s true.”

“Sure, just like hearing you say it.”

Hiding a smile, Sebastian bent his head and bit at Luke’s pec. “You’re an asshole.”

“So you keep saying, but …” Luke gestured as if to remind him where they were and what they’d just done.

“I never said I had good taste in men,” Sebastian pointed out.

Luke let out a huff.

Sebastian grew more serious. “Can I ask what you’re hoping for?”

“For a new contract?”

“Yeah.”

“Couple more years.”

Sebastian winced.

“I know.” Luke rubbed a hand over his face again. “Probably not gonna fucking happen.”

“Well, it’s not like your play has dropped off. You’re still as much of a jackass out there as ever,” Sebastian said, thinking of Luke’s most recent game when he absolutelybodieda guy against theboards, then stolen the puck and gotten it off to Anker, who’d sniped it in.

It had been against Carolina, so Sebastian had allowed himself to enjoy watching Luke’s assist.

It had been a clean hit too. By the book.

“Sure,” Luke said with a sigh. “But a lot depends on what happens in the postseason. Gavin hasn’t said it in so many words, but I would assume if we don’t do well, they’ll let me go in free agency.”

Sebastian winced, surprised by how much his heart sank at the thought of Luke not being around. “Would youwantto go?”

“Fuck no. I wanna stay right here in Boston,” Luke said gruffly. “But the most they’ll offer me is a one-year contract.”