Page 65 of Game Misconduct

After, Matty practically sprinted out of the room, excited to get home to Toronto.

Tanner talked to a few more guys and hugged them and eventually ended up standing in front of Dustin Fowler.

Dustin smiled at him. “Before I forget, Charlie says hi and that you’re welcome to visit us any time in Toronto.”

“Awesome. Tell him hi from me. So cool that he flew into Chicago to watch you play and visit his bestie. Taylor’s a blast and it was fun hanging out with both of them last night at the bar.”

Dustin’s smile turned into a grin. “They’re a riot together, aren’t they? I always keep bail money on hand, just to be safe.”

Tanner laughed and agreed that was smart. The three of them had wound up dancing together at one point. Too bad Jesse hadn’t been there too. He’d been out celebrating the win with Team Canada.

Dustin and Tanner talked about last night’s post-game celebrations for a bit before Dustin had to go. “It was great playing with you,” he said. “You were a real asset. Hope to see you in some more international tournaments.”

After Dustin left, Tanner talked to a few more guys before he found himself face-to-face with Zane Murphy. He complimented Tanner’s play, then said, “I just wanted you to know that I was glad to have you on the team and really impressed with your game during the tournament. I think you have a ton of skill already but I don’t think you’ve even come close to hitting your ceiling yet.”

“Yeah?” Tanner asked, surprised. He was usually pretty proud of his play but man, that wasniceto hear. Especially from someone likeZane Murphy.

Zane clapped him on the shoulder. “Really. Keep it up, Clayton.”

“Awesome!” Tanner beamed. That kinda shit made him feel like he might actually be a grown-up player someday.

Of course, twenty minutes later, he got back to his room and realized he’d left his key card in the room and he’d have to go down to the desk to get a new one. He might be good at the whole hockey thing, but he definitely didn’t have it all together in other ways.

You win some, you lose some, he decided with a shrug as he returned to his room, let himself in, and began trying to pack.

At least he had hockey.

Leif had just tucked the last of his belongings into his suitcase and finished a sweep of the room to be sure he hadn’t missed anything—he hadn’t, he never did—when he got a text message.

It was from Tanner and it was only a picture of his charging cable on Tanner’s messy bed. After the first night Leif loaned it to him, Tanner had forgotten to take the cord with him. He’d eventually just started plugging in his phone whenever he was in Leif’s room.

Last night, Leif had brought the cable with him when he came to Tanner’s room, knowing his phone was probably already dead.

What?Leif sent back now in answer.

Cum get ur cable

Leif rolled his eyes at the spelling.It’s a gift,he explained.You keep it.

Cum here anyway.That message was accompanied by winky face and tongue out emojis. Leif sighed.

He’d sort of expected this. Not so much the cable thing but Tanner wanting one last hookup. There was a reason Leif had left himself some extra time before he needed to leave for the airport.

Okay, so, maybe he wanted it too.

It didn’t take him long to get to Tanner’s floor. He got a couple of confused looks from Team USA guys dragging their luggage to the elevator, but he didn’t know any of them well and he waited until they’d disappeared before he knocked, then used his key card on Tanner’s door.

He’d grabbed the card this morning to get Tanner breakfast. It didn’t seem to work now though, so he knocked again.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Tanner said when he opened the door. “I left my card here in the room this morning and had to get a new one after breakfast. They must have deactivated the old ones.”

“You are a walking, talking disaster, aren’t you?” Leif asked.

“Pretty much.” Tanner grinned.

“How’s the hangover?”

“Better. Thanks to you.” Tanner turned away, walking farther into the room.