Page 100 of Game Misconduct

Leif hesitated. Damn, he wanted to get to Tanner as quickly as possible but the air between Aksel and Hawke was distinctly frosty and Leif wondered if he should interrupt or not. He wassure that his dad was here to see him but shit, running into his ex had to be awkward for him. For both of them really.

Maybe they’d welcome the interruption?

Leif stepped closer, clearing his throat.

“Leif,” his father said as he turned to look over his shoulder, a relieved expression crossing his face. “I was just looking for you.”

“See you around, Rasmussen,” Hawke said tightly.

“Enjoy your evening, Lange—uh, Langley.”

Hawke nodded and strode away, like he couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Aksel stood there, staring at his ex’s retreating back with a frown, while Leif stared at his father. When Aksel made no move, Leif finally asked, “Uhh, what was that all about?”

“Nothing.” Aksel’s smile was tight as he turned. “I came here to see you and Lange—Hawkins and I just ran into each other and were catching up.”

“That didn’t look like catching up to me,” Leif said slowly. “That looked like …”

Honestly, he wasn’t sure what it looked like. It hadn’t escaped his notice that his dad kept slipping up and calling him Lange. His old hockey nickname had always been Hawke—both because of his name and because he’d played for the Harriers. He wasstillknown by that name around the league.

Lange must have been something …special, his dad had called his ex-boyfriend. Lover? Leif was never really sure how his father thought of the guy he’d been with before.

In the past, his dad had referred to it as dating, but Leif hadn’t ever known for sure if it had been really romantic or more just … physical. And while Leif didn’t really want to think about his dad being physical with anyone, he had a feeling that had been intense. There was something in the way they’d looked at each other now, like not all of that heat was gone.

Not the way it was between Leif’s parents.

But did his dad and Hawke still havefeelingsfor each other?

Aksel cleared his throat. “Anyway, I came here to see if you wanted to grab dinner. I know things were a bit crazy with your flight plans being changed because of weather, but I thought maybe now that you know you’ll be staying in Boston overnight, I’d offer.”

“I ate already,” Leif said automatically, grateful for the excuse.

“Or, if you just want to come over to my place for a bit and relax, we could do that too.”

“I, uh,well,” Leif stammered, not sure how to explain to his dad that he had plans.

“It’s just …” Aksel’s shoulders slumped, “Running into Lange?—”

Leif opened his mouth to ask his father what the hell had happened between them anyway, but what he actually said was, “I have plans.”

“Oh.” Aksel’s expression fell even more.

“I’m sorry.” Leif winced. “I …”

“No.” His fathers straightened, squaring his shoulders. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d be free.”

“Well, I usually am,” Leif pointed out.

He’d always made it a priority to spend time with his dad whenever Boston and New York played, so he couldn’t really blame him for expecting that to be true tonight.

“No, it’s good that you have plans,” Aksel said firmly. “Go. Enjoy.”

Leif hesitated. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Of course. I’ll be fine.” Aksel’s face softened as he reached out to hug Leif. “Enjoy your night.”

Leif hugged him back, his stomach churning with worry even as he tried not to hurry or seem overly eager as he made for the entrance.