Page 132 of Crease Collision

“Right here.” Nico and Packy join the group, and Nico gives me a big hug. “How’s my favorite goalie?”

“Worn out but happy. How’s my favorite captain?”

“Same,” Nico says, then looks at Ozzy. “Good to see you again. Thanks for coming.”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Congratulations, captain. That was great leadership out there.”

“It’s easy when you have the right guys,” Nico says, then nudges me. “Including this one. He was a rock throughout the playoffs.”

Ozzy clears his throat. “Yes. I witnessed that during one of the rounds.”

“You were a rock yourself,” Packy says. “Whatever the Fury’s problem was, it wasn’t you.”

All the guys agree, some trading fist bumps with Ozzy.

The music and conversation slip into the background as my eyes find his. For a moment, we’re the only two people in the room.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Packy says. “Stop it with the fuck-me eyes. We’re having a party. You can celebrate any way you want when you go home.”

“They’ll celebrate, all right,” McKay says, slurring his words. “Question is, how many times?”

Everyone laughs, and when I look over, Ozzy is blushing. He isn’t used to how off-key McKay can be.

“Oskar,” Thompson’s wife Meadow says, appearing at his side. “I’m stealing you for a bit. The significant others want to meet the man who finally tamed our Kai.”

Ozzy shoots me a look, and I nod. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”

He allows Meadow to lead him toward a group of women and a few men clustered on the terrace. I watch him go, feeling a strange mix of pride and possessiveness. He’s mine, but he’s also becoming part of this world too. The Condors are my family, and Ozzy’s one of us now.

Nico nudges me. “Don’t worry. They’ll be gentle.”

“I know,” I say. “It’s just… different.”

“Different weird or different good?” Packy asks.

“Good. Definitely good.”

We trade stories and talk about summer plans. Once, I look outside and see Ozzy deep in conversation with the SOs. He’s fitting right in, which makes my chest tingle the way it does after I make a big save.

“So,” Theo says. “Is it weird having a Fury player as a boyfriend?”

I shake my head. “Not anymore.”

Jace rolls his eyes. “Not once they started doing the dirty hula, anyway.”

A chorus of groans and laughter goes around the group.

“That does tend to help,” Noah says, looking thoughtful.

“Is it okay when we play the Fury?” Packy asks. “When I was a Warrior, it was strange playing the Condors because of Nico.”

“Is that why you always beat the shit out of each other?” Jace asks.

Theo nods. “That was always crazy. Fighting while you were making fuck-me eyes at each other.”

“They didn’t fight after they actually started fucking though.” McKay’s slurring his words worse than ever and spills some of his beer this time.

“Think you’ve had enough, buddy,” Noah says, taking the bottle from McKay.