Page 79 of Cross Ice

Saturday’s game against Dallas was one of those nights where everything clicked.

We were up 2–0 by the end of the first period, and by the time the final buzzer sounded, we’d won 5–1. I had a goal and two assists, and the energy in the arena was electric.

After the game, I headed down the chute to the locker room, still riding the high of the win. I was halfway out of my gear when the PR manager caught me for media availability.

I pulled out my phone.

Nico

Media’s going to take a while. Meet you at Cap’s?

Evan

See you there.

I showered and changed, then spent twenty minutes answering the same questions about the game in three different ways for various reporters.

By the time I finally made it to Cap’s, the team and their guests had packed the private room, with music pounding and laughter echoing off the walls. Platters of wings, sliders, and nachos covered every surface.

I found Evan sitting in a booth with Naomi and Chloe, the three of them deep in conversation about something that had Naomi laughing so hard she was crying.

“What’d I miss?” I asked, sliding in next to Evan.

“Chloe was just telling us about the time Jonah got recognized at a drug store while buying hemorrhoid cream,” Naomi said, wiping her eyes.

“Oh God, not this story again,” Jonah groaned as he sat next to Chloe.

“It never gets old!” she said, giggling.

I put my arm around Evan’s shoulders, and he leaned into me naturally. Comfortably. Like we’d been doing this for years instead of weeks.

André appeared with a fresh beer and dropped into the booth across from us. “Good game tonight, Briggs. You’re on fire lately.”

“Thanks, Cap.”

“Wonder what’s got you so motivated.” He grinned at Evan. “Any theories?”

Evan flushed slightly, but he was smiling. “No idea.”

“Right. None at all.” André took a sip of his beer. “You coming to next Sunday’s game?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Evan said.

“Good. Naomi’s been talking about you nonstop. Something about needing more normal people in this group.”

“Hey,” I protested.

“Face it, Briggs. We’re all weird. Evan’s the only sane one here.”

We stayed until almost midnight, and when we finally left, I drove us back to Evan’s apartment with his hand resting on my thigh the whole way.

At a red light, I glanced over at him. “Want to do something tomorrow? My choice this time.”

He looked at me, curious. “What did you have in mind?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Should I be worried?”