Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey Book 2)

I’d thought our Frozen Four victory party last year was big, but it has nothing on an NHL win on New Year’s Eve.

I don’t think anything could beat this.

We hang out at the team party for a while so Grant can celebrate with his teammates, and even though he didn’t score, he got an assist in the short time he was on the ice. Beck, Cohen, and I are hanging on the outskirts, stunned to be surrounded by some of the best players in the league.

Even if they do play for Montreal.

It’s hard not to fanboy all over them.

Grant makes his rounds with Zach, and it’s heartwarming to see how Grant’s big, masc, straight teammates treat them with respect, treating Zach like they would any of the other wives and girlfriends. Even still, I’m uncomfortable being affectionate with Beck in front of everyone.

When some teammates start making their exit, Grant takes the opportunity to suggest we head downstairs away from all the noise. Zach agrees immediately, and I get the feeling he’s all peopled out.

I’m ready to leave if it means I get to touch my boyfriend again.

The party is on the top floor of one of the tallest hotels in Montreal, so we take the elevator down to the lobby bar. Being New Year’s, it’s still busy, but this bar is dark, and the music is low. It’s the complete opposite to the mayhem upstairs.

A group gets up to leave as we arrive, so Seth and I grab the table as the others go to get drinks.

There aren’t enough seats for everyone when they reach us. Grant immediately pulls Zach into his lap, and the pair of them look so loved up it’s ridiculous. Seth and Cohen chat happily across the table, and I drag my chair closer to Beck’s and sling my arm across the back of his.

This moment is actually kind of perfect.

“I did this,” Cohen says to Seth, pointing at us. “I started a game of gay chicken that neither of them wants to bow out of.”

“We’re competitive fuckers.” Beck grins.

“Though I’m actually gay,” I point out. “So does that mean I win?”

Beck gives me a look. It’s part-proud, part-surprised. Probably because I found a label for myself and finally said it out loud. Is it the right label? I’m still not one hundred percent sure, but it feels right in this moment.

“Pretty sure I had just as much dick in my mouth as you did earlier,” Beck says with a smile. “That’s pretty gay.”

Cohen chokes on his drink. “Okay, okay, you’re both the winners.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask as Cohen’s cheeks go red. “You’ll make out with your friends, but you draw the line at blowjobs? You’re missing out.”

“You really are,” Grant agrees, apparently finished with whatever mushy shit he was whispering in Zach’s ear.

“You’re a bunch of assholes, and I hate you,” Cohen says into his beer.

“Wait.” Seth leans toward me. “You’re gay? But I’ve seen you hook up with girls before. How does that work?”

I shrug. “Hard to explain. There’s nothing wrong with women, but now I know how it’s supposed to be.”

“Now who’s missing out?” Cohen nudges Seth. “Chicks, am I right?”

Seth gives him a weird look, and Beck cracks up laughing. “Keep going, Cohen. We’ll believe you one day.”

“So, Beck,” Grant says, cutting off Cohen’s reply. “I hear you’re staying another year at CU.”

Beck turns a glare on me, and my hands shoot up. “I didn’t say a word.”

“Then …”

“I keep in touch with Coach Hogan. He said you’ll be helping out with the team after this season is over.”

“I will.”

Beck won’t be able to play next year because of NCAA rules, but when he told Coach his plans, Coach didn’t hesitate in offering him a volunteer coaching position.

“And Zach tells me that you’re looking into some kind of training facility for kids looking to play at the collegiate level.”

“Kids who don’t have money,” Beck says, fumbling for my hand under the table. “That part’s important to me.”

I’m aching to kiss him stupid and show him how much that plan means to me.

Grant laughs. “Saint Beck, eh? Looks like Jacobs has been a good influence on you.”

“Eh.” Beck shrugs. “He’s okay.”

“Let’s talk next year,” Grant says. “It sounds like an awesome idea, and I’ll have a few months off from the NHL to fill—”

“What happened to spending that time with me?” Zach asks.

Grant’s arms tighten around him. “We’ll be living together in a few months once you’ve got your master’s. You’ll be sick of me by then.”

“I don’t know how he isn’t already,” Seth quips.

Grant flips off his brother. “And are you in on this plan, Jacobs?”

“I’m in on whatever Beck does.” I’ve been looking at apartments off campus for next year, and I’ve already touched base with an outpatient practice on getting some PT experience. If Beck’s idea goes ahead, we’ll stick close to Burlington because having division I colleges nearby will increase demand.

There’s still a lot to plan. But if this year’s taught me anything, it’s that it will work out the way it’s supposed to.

Me, Beck, and hockey.

Beck and Grant talk out more details while Cohen and I rehash the game and Zach and Seth plan our day in Gay Village tomorrow. The energy around the table is high, and I’m so full of love for these guys—even Zach and Seth—that I don’t want the night to end.

Midnight creeps closer, promising a new year and new things for Beck and me to face together.

We’re going to New York in a few days to visit his parents. Then we’ll stop by the farm on the way back to school to see mine.

Beck will be busier than ever the next few semesters at school, even with the lighter course load.

The Frozen Four is coming up fast.

And even though those things could fill me with anxiety, I’m ready for it.

We start the countdown to midnight, and I grab Beck to pull him into my lap. His blue eyes are bright, his cheeks flushed with the alcohol we’ve been drinking, and I swear he’s never looked so beautiful.

“Three … two … one …” he whispers.

His mouth closes over mine, and I push every promise I can give him into the kiss. I love him so much it physically hurts sometimes, and together, we’re going to make this year our bitch.

Because no matter what it throws at us, I know one thing for certain.

I’ve already won.