Page 182 of Game Misconduct

Tanner scoffed and took the ribbing, glad it had made Tom laugh.

“I guess we should have known that Tanner wasn’t hooking up with a bunch of people anymore though,” Rafe said afterthe laughter died down. “Look how long it’s been since he got anyone sick!”

He nodded at the whiteboard on the wall and Tanner felt a funny lurch in his stomach as he realized that if he went to the Rockets, that meant all of these inside jokes and team moments would end.

As Tanner got ready for the game, he could feel an odd tension in the room.

Connor’s shoulder was so bad that he’d needed Jesse’s help even dressing for the game and worry over that combined with the thought of leaving, added to awful the memory of what had happened with Darla and the weird mood hung over everything.

Somehow, the Harriers’ PR team had managed to keep everything out of the news so far, and at least they didn’t have to deal with that, but no one was feeling focused and centered for the game ahead.

And no one was surprised when that game ended with the Harriers completely scoreless.

It was almost a relief when they headed to L.A. for games five and six. They lost five and won six, leaving them 3–3 for the series.

Which meant they had to win game seven at home.

Normally Tanner loved playing in their home barn. The fans were loud and the Hawk’s Nest was a great arena. But tonight, as he played sewer ball with the boys to warm up, that weird, bittersweet feeling hit him again.

Leif was in the arena with his mom tonight and they’d agreed that if—knock on wood—they managed to pull off the win, Leifwould come out on the ice, go to his dad and congratulate him, then give Tanner a handshake at most.

It hadn’t been an easy decision.

Tanner knew that in the moment, he’dwantto hug Leif, to kiss him, but they’d both agreed that announcing their relationship that way would end up overshadowing the Harriers’ victory and neither of them liked that idea.

Leif was also worried that there would be accusations from fans, and even some of the media, about their relationship and speculation that it had impacted Leif negatively during the playoffs. That idea had caused Leif so much stress that Tanner had assured him he could be chill about it. He could wait.

Even though Tanner knew he’d never really been chill in his life aboutanything, he’d do his best to protect their secret like he had after the Harriers beat the Rockets in the second round.

Besides, Tanner was pretty sure Leif would have mixed feelings about a Harriers’ Cup win anyway. Would he be proud of and happy for Tanner? Of course. But he’d also feel the sting of his loss and Tanner didn’t want that for him.

The nice thing about the team knowing was that Leif had been able to stay overnight with him. Mickey had only made a joke about putting in earplugs. But even Tanner had been too exhausted for more than some making out in bed and Leif jerking him off, then coming on his stomach.

After they cleaned up, they’d talked more about their plan for coming out to the public and Leif had said that he wanted some time just for themselves. The team didn’t count, of course, but the public? Yeah, Leif had spent his whole life with his every move scrutinized by the hockey world and Tanner couldn’tblame him for not wanting that spotlight on their relationship yet.

He’d also said he wanted to protect Tanner from that, and Tanner had kissed him for it.

So they were in agreement. Their closest friends and family would know, some people connected to the Harriers, but no one else.

Not until they were ready.

That night, he’d fallen asleep beside Leif and woken up to find him drinking coffee and talking to Mickey in the kitchen. Surprised but happy, Tanner had hugged Leif from behind, hooking his chin on Leif’s shoulder and burying his face against his neck.

Leif had absently reached up to pat Tanner’s arm and kept talking to Mickey and it was soperfectTanner had gotten a little teary about it. This was his life now and it was pretty fucking awesome.

But tonight, as they dressed for game seven, he couldn’t think about Leif. Couldn’t think about the way things had gone with Darla or the police investigation, oranyof it.

All he could think about was hockey. Which meant that if this was his last game with the Harriers, he needed to do his fucking job as their DJ and hype man.

Tanner cranked up the tunes and shot Jesse a wink. He seemed to pick up on it because he nudged Kady and they started dancing and suddenly the heaviness in the locker room was gone, replaced by the familiar bright, happy energy of the team he loved so much.

“Who’s the hottest team in the league?” Tanner shouted over the music as the minutes ticked down to warmups.

“We are!” guys called back.

“Who’s going to go all the way tonight?” Tanner hollered.

“We are!”