Page 133 of Crease Collision

Nico looks at me. “It’s weird though, isn’t it? Playing against your man?”

I take a sip of my drink. “It always feels strange playing against him, but we’re both competitive enough that it’s not really a problem. Ozzy’s a rival on the ice, but once the game’s over, he’s just Ozzy.”

“And Kai’s just Kai.” A warm hand settles on my back; Ozzy’s at my side again. “We go home, and everything’s fine.”

While the guys start talking, I lean close to Ozzy’s ear. “Everything go all right out there?”

“Great. They’re very nice. Supportive too.”

“Good.”

“They wanted me to tell all the embarrassing stories about you,” he adds with a smirk.

I pretend to be worried. “Did you tell them any?”

“Saved those for later,” he says. “They told me I’ll be part of the monthly cocktail meetings now.”

I shiver despite myself, and he laughs, clearly amused by my reaction.

“All right, boys,” Thompson says as he joins us, wearing his usual deadpan. “Get a room. Some of us are trying to celebrate.”

Meadow swats his arm. “Don’t listen to him. He’s jealous because he’s not as cute as you two are.”

And then it happens. Thompson’s mouth actually twitches into a smile. My jaw drops along with everyone else’s.

“There it is!” Jace shouts. “The mythical Thompson smile! McKay, document this moment for posterity.”

Even Thompson laughs. We’ve worked so hard it feels good to let go for once.

Ozzy and I make a circuit around the room. He handles himself like he’s been around these guys for years, laughing at their jokes about being here to spy for the Fury, and holding his own in hockey conversations about everything from technique to philosophy.

But why should I be surprised? He’s been around people like this all his life. Hockey’s a small world, and players are much the same anywhere you go.

Around midnight, I catch his eye from across the room and give a small nod. He returns it, and we meet near the front door.

“Ready to escape?” I ask.

He nods. “Yes. But I’ve enjoyed tonight, baby.”

“I’m glad because you’ll be seeing these guys a lot, on and off the ice. And now that you’re an SO…”

“Wonder how many HFNA players are also SOs?” he asks as we head out.

“Not many, for sure.”

While we wait in the hallway, he asks, “Can we talk about our trip to Greece when we get home? I have some things to show you.”

The elevator doors slide open, and once we’re inside, I answer. “Best offer I’ve had all day.”

Twenty minutes later, another set of elevator doors slide open. This time we’re in the hallway outside our place. Before I can reach for my keys, Oskar already has his out. He unlocks the door, turns to me, and holds out his hand.

I take it, and we walk inside together.

EPILOGUE

KAI AND OSKAR

KAI