Page 5 of The Tryout

“It’s…it’s good to see you two getting along.”

I meet Ethan’s eye, knowing that may not be the full truth, but for now, I decide to pretend it is. For Jamie.

“Well, we both have excellent taste in men. Obviously. Now Ethan, tell me about this old teammate of yours.”

By the time we’re done with dinner, Ethan’s laid out his idea in full. Between his friend the assistant coach and the team’s desire to keep Jamie happy, he’s pretty sure the Pack will be happy to extend me an invitation to training camp. That gives me the summer to get into the best shape of my life, then a week to show the coaches that they want to keep me around for the season. If they do, I’ll sign a contract and keep showing up.

And if they don’t?

Well, I try not to think about that.

CHAPTER ONE

FINN

Minneapolis, Early September

When my alarm goes off at 5:15 AM, I hurry to shut it off before anyone else can wake up. In the dim early morning light, all I hear is silence.

Good.

I was so surprised when the Huskies’ captain invited me to stay with him during training camp; it didn’t seem like there was any real reason for him to pay attention to a winger up from Des Moines. In fact, I was ready to decline the invite, opting instead for the quiet of a hotel, when Jamie Carter texted about how he was “so excited” to get to spend more time with me since I’d be staying with Tremblay.

At the time, I wasn’t really sure what he had meant, but I’d really enjoyed my dinners with Jamie during last year’s training camp, so I went ahead and accepted the invite.

Then, three days ago, I showed up to Tremblay’s new home near downtown Minneapolis, only to be greeted by Jamie at the door. At first I thought Cap must have been putting him up too, making use of all the bedrooms in this new place of his.

Except they seem to be using just the one bedroom.

Shrugging it off, I slip into my running shorts, padding toward the front door in my socked feet. There, I tug on my shoes and open the door quietly, hoping not to wake anyone up.

Outside, it’s calm and cool, the kind of peace that you can only find in the early morning. My feet pound the pavement, the rhythm soothing my brain. I try not to overdo it – I still have training camp today, after all. But a run – even a short one – is always the best way to start my day.

As I approach The Mall, I take a hard right, heading toward Lake of the Isles. As much as I’d love to do the longer route around Lake Bde Maka Ska, I know it’ll show in my legs later. If I want to spend any time with the Huskies this year, I can’t be looking tired on the ice.

The miles go quickly, with the smell of the water and the wind in my hair. Before I know it, I’m turning back on to La Salle, near the coffee shop I know Jamie likes. They’re just opening, so I step in, getting a latte for him and a hot chocolate for myself. Taking a guess, I grab a plain drip coffee for Tremblay.

I juggle the beverage carrier and my keys as I re-enter the house, still trying to be quiet. I know Jamie and Ethan will be up soon – we have to be on the ice at 8 – but I’ve also learned Jamie in particular loves to sleep in.

I toe off my shoes by the door, this time hearing the quiet sounds of someone puttering around the kitchen. I walk that way, only to find Ethan cooking at the stovetop and Jamie…well, I can only say that I’m not sure it’s safe to be that close to someone who’s actively cooking.

I stand there, unsure of whether I should leave. Maybe go back to the front door? Slam it shut?

Unfortunately, I stand there thinking for too long, and as Ethan reaches for the salt on the counter next to him, he catches sight of me out of the corner of his eye. His smile surprises me – for some reason, I feel like I’m not supposed to be here.

“Finn! I was surprised you weren’t up already. Grab a plate, I’ve got plenty here for you.”

“Oh, I, uh, went for a run.”

I grab a plate out of the nearby cabinet and hand it to him, setting the coffees down on the countertop.

“Yeah? Not too far, I hope. Ramsey’s gonna work us hard today.”

He loads up the plate with scrambled eggs and several pieces of turkey bacon, handing it back to me and holding my gaze.

“No. Just a short, easy run to clear out the lactic acid. I’ll be ready, I promise.”

He smiles and nods at me, laying a plate down in front of where Jamie is sitting at the breakfast bar.