Page 51 of Game Misconduct

“And you can suck me off or fuck me after,” Tanner said. “As a thank-you.”

Leif bit Tanner’s shoulder to hide his smile.

CHAPTER TEN

Tanner was fuckingpumpedto watch the first game of the tournament.

It was the Central European team against the Nordic team—and Tanner had a lot of questions about why everyone was calling it that instead of Team Nordic that no one seemed to be able to answer—so when Dustin Fowler asked Tanner if he wanted to watch with some of the guys, Tanner immediately said yes.

A section of seats at the arena had been reserved for players who were interested, and Tanner was stoked as he found a spot between Matty and Nico.

“Dude, this is gonna besiiiiick,” Tanner said, slapping their thighs. Nico’s was, like, half the size of Matty’s. But they were both hot as shit and queer, and those were totally Tanner’s favorite people to hang out with.

Matty grinned. “My money’s on the Nordic guys.”

Nico waved that off. “Doesn’t matter. Either team will get smoked when they play Canada.”

“Well, I mean, it’s hard to beat Webby,” Tanner agreed.

“Man, Imisshim in Toronto,” Nico said with a sigh. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Macky …”

Alexander Makarov,Tanner mentally translated.First round, twenty-third overall draft pick, 0.915 save percentage.

“But Webby was fun. I love seeing him dance now. He seems really happy in Boston with O’Shea.” Nico glanced over at where Kelly O’Shea sat and grinned. “Uhh, Connor.”

“Yeah, Webby didn’t really dance when he played for the Fisher Cats, right?” Tanner asked.

“No.” Nico said with a frown. “I dunno, this city is … it’s a lot. Especially for a goaltender. I think he was afraid of getting in trouble or being accused of not taking the game seriously. I think it says a lot that he feels way more relaxed now.”

“Yeah, we have good vibes in Boston,” Tanner agreed, before he remembered something he’d been wanting to ask Nico. “Hey. So why didn’t your hubby come back to refereeing this season. Isn’t he allowed to do that again?”

“Yeah, the ban is up,” Nico said quietly, leaning in. “But August just wanted to take a little longer break. He was worried about me and my recovery and comeback too.”

Tanner nodded. Nico’s on-ice seizure and brain surgery had scared the fucking crap out of every player in the league. But hey, despite having a brain tumor, he was doing really well now, which was dope.

Nico chuckled. “I’m doing great but Auggie … he’s a little overprotective of me.”

Something about the way he said that made Tanner think that Nico didn’t mind it.

He cleared his throat. “Anyway, when the ban lifted, Auggie was in a really good place about not having reffing in his life and I think he just wasn’t ready to either get denied or deal with the media shitstorm, whichever way the reinstatement hearing went, you know?”

Tanner made a face. “Oh, shit, he’d have to do a whole new hearing and everything?”

“Yeah. There’s a lot of official channels they have to go through. And if he was reinstated, it would mean more travel and less time with me, so there’s that.”

Tanner grinned and eyeballed Nico. “Yeah, I can see why he’d miss you.”

There was something about Nico that reminded him of Leif. Maybe it was the blond European look, or whatever. The effortless cool vibes. Although Nico waswaymore chill than Leif.

Although Leif hadn’t been so bad last night. He’d seemed more relaxed. Well, after his little freakout about his dad showing up, anyway.

Nico winked, then leaned forward, dropping his voice even more. “So don’t say anything to anyone but Auggie is thinking about maybe coming backnextseason.”

“Oh that would besick.”

“Yeah. He was good at it,” Nico said with a small, proud smile.

“He can’t ref games you’re playing in, right?”