Page 157 of Game Misconduct

“So I think my dad and Hawke might be fucking again.”

Tanner choked, lowering the bottle. Thank fuck he hadn’t taken a drink yet. “What?”

“Or maybe not still but …”

“No, back up,” Tanner said. “This is too random even for me. Explain.”

So Leif told Tanner about the way they were acting after the last game, all frosty and shit when they talked. “And tonight,” he continued, “I expected Dad to like—be really upset that Icouldn’t hang out with him. I told him I had plans with the team that we were celebrating?—”

“Oh shit, you didn’t get to celebrate with the boys that you made the playoffs!” Tanner frowned. “Dude, that sucks.”

Leif shrugged. “We lost tonight. Yeah, we made it in, but it was pretty much on a technicality. A few guys were going out but it didn’t really feel like anything worth celebrating anyway.”

“Anythingcan happen in the playoffs,” Tanner said.

“You’re such a hype guy,” Leif shot back.

Tanner shrugged. He’d been called worse.

“So anyway, I thought Dad would be bummed but he seemed all distracted when I was talking and he was looking at his phone while we talked. And then as I was leaving the arena, I saw Hawke acting weird in the hallway.”

“He’s agoalie,” Tanner said. “They’re always weird.”

“Okay, but … weirder than usual.”

“So they’re fucking.” Tanner shrugged. “You mad about it?”

“No.” Leif made a face. “Maybe? No. Not mad. Just … confused? Weirded out? Worried about him?”

“Your dad?”

“Honestly both,” Leif admitted. “Because literally the only thing holding this team together is Roman Poole and if his goalie coach is distracted or whatever, then that seems like it could be very bad for the team.”

“Or maybe Hawke and your dad are super happy and getting back together, which will make Hawke perform at his best and Roman Poole will be evenbetter.” Tanner made a face. “Ugh. No. I don’t like that thought.”

“Are the playoffs gonna be weird for us?”

“Probably.” Tanner hooked his leg over Leif’s under the covers. “But we can do this.”

“Even though we?—”

“Even then,” Tanner said because it didn’t matter what Leif was worried about. They had this. Well, itdidmatter. But they’d figure it out anyway. And he didn’t need to worry about it right this second.

Later, after Leif had dragged him to the bathroom to brush his teeth and Tanner had helped him put the leftovers away, they settled in bed.

“I have a spreadsheet for you, you know?” Leif said sleepily as Tanner turned out the light.

“A spreadsheet?” Tanner settled behind Leif, curving his body around his and breathing in his scent.

“I researched ADHD and I have links to resources and tips for all of the stuff you struggle with.”

Tanner smiled against the back of Leif’s neck. “Can you find podcasts instead?”

“Maybe not til after the playoffs.”

“That’s fair.” Tanner yawned. “Hey, did you know that I have a hamster in my head?”

“What?” Leif sounded more awake now.