Page 186 of Game Misconduct

“We’re really okay though?” Tanner asked Leif as he settled back onto his lap.

Leif smiled at him. “We’re really okay, monkey boy.”

“Oh!” Tanner grinned at him. “You gave me anickname. FINALLY.”

“You were waiting for one?” Leif asked, looking amused.

“Duh,” Tanner said. “They’re the best.”

He squinted down at the shirt he was wearing. It was covered in … something that looked like it used to be food and maybe beer—hopefully beer—and frowned. “Hey. Where did these come from?”

They said RAINBRO in colorful text.

“The shirts?”

“Yeah.”

“A box in your bedroom?” Leif said with a confused look.

“Ohhh, right,” Tanner said, remembering. “I ordered them for the Boston Pride Parade, but I must have busted them out early.”

“Good thing too,” Jesse said, walking by with a plate.

Tanner reached out and filched a mini quiche from it. Jesse smacked his hand, but Tanner popped the food in his mouth and chewed aggressively. He wasn’t getting it back now!

“Why good?” Tanner asked, his voice muffled by the food. He inhaled a little and nearly started choking.

“Because you never would have gotten Luke drunk enough for Pride to wear one,” Sebastian said with a laugh. “But during a Cup celebration …”

“Oh yesssssss,” Tanner said, still coughing a little. “I cannotwaitto see the pictures.”

From one of the nearby couches with a pillow over his face, Crawford stuck his middle finger up.

Tanner cackled.

After that, everyone went quiet for a little while before Leif got up to get more food and drinks for them both.

Tanner was busy stuffing his face when Gavin cleared his throat. “So, guys, I know we’re going to do exit interviews in a couple of days but before everyone goes their separate ways for the season, I want to talk to you about Darla.”

The room abruptly went silent and even Luke tossed aside the pillow and sat up. He lookedrough. Hungover mountain man on a bender. In a RAINBRO shirt. So good.

“Jeez, Gav. Way to harsh the mellow,” Tanner muttered.

“I know. But we can’t ignore it.” Gavin looked around. “Tom, I know you didn’t want to discuss the Darla situation while we were celebrating, but have you made plans to talk to someone yet?”

“Like a therapist?” Tom asked.

“Like a therapist,” Gavin said.

“Brie and Mandy and I have been talking about it. And I made an appointment for Tom and I for next week,” Krista said, dragging her nails across the back of Tom’s head.

His eyes slid half-closed but he nodded. “Yeah, we’re gonna take care of it.”

“Good,” Gavin said firmly as he glanced around the room. “It can’t hurtallof you to talk to someone.”

“I told everyone to play Tetris after!” Tanner said proudly.

Gavin squinted at him. “I’m sorry, what?”