“How about you fuck yourself?” Jett snapped,hatinghow warm his cheeks burned. “It’s not a love story, Bracken. Killinger has nothing to do with this.”
“You’re calling meBrackenoff the ice, Jetty? Really?” Ryan feigned hurt by placing his hand over his heart. “You’ve wounded me.”
Jett rolled his eyes, which he knew was childish, butseriously.
“And don’t bull-shit me about Killinger,” Ryan went on, slipping back into his serious captain mode. “You’ve told me about guys before, but you’ve never looked this anxious or wrecked about leaving any of them. Harrison Killinger is different. And that’s okay. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I just want you to trust me enough to talk about it, because I care about you, and I care about this team.”
He loved his captain, but hell, he didn’t know if he could open up and talk about it yet. There was too muchchaosin his head; whispers of truths he didn’t want to admit mixed with guilt and self-hatred.
Jett hated thinking it, but part of him believed that Harrison didn’t come with him because being with him, friendship ormore, was not a good enough reason to leave his comfort zone.
“He’s a damn good teacher,” said Ryan, interrupting Jett’s downward spiral. “You’re playing like shit, but I’ve noticed a huge difference—and so have the rest of the guys.”
Jett smiled, allowing some happiness and pride to fill him again.
“We’re waiting on the edge of our seats for you to kick into gear. I don’t know what it is, but I think something is about to change for the better, and it’s because of Killinger.”
Jett’s eyes widened. “Don’t jinx us—”
“I’m not.” Ryan held his hands up to halt Jett’s superstitious rant. “I’m trying to tell you that there’s been noticeable improvement with you, Jetty. It’s because you’re a talented player who was bound to grow into this game, but there’s a new air of confidence around you too. Meeting Killinger wasgoodfor you.”
Ryan didn’t know the half of it.
“That job I was talking about is open for him,” said Ryan, nudging Jett’s arm with a goofy grin. “If he ever changes his mind, Coach was ready to personally fund his paycheck to get him here—especially after seeing you play over the last few days.”
“I never made the offer,” Jett admitted. “He can be intimidating, and I was caught in the pace of training and conditioning. I don’t think telling him will change anything, but I’ll let him know.”
Ryan’s posture relaxed into something more casual, and Jett took a breath, thankful the conversation was finished.
Jason popped around the corner, startling Jett and Ryan with his sudden appearance.
“What are you guys whispering about over here?” Jason asked, walking over to sling his arm across Ryan’s shoulders. “Did Jetty tell you what’s wrong yet?”
Ryan locked eyes with Jett. “I don’t know. I think he’s sad about leaving his friend behind in Nova Scotia-land, andI’msad because I didn’t get to play Jett’s wingman.”
Jett groaned and knocked his head against the wall. Was he really that obvious?
Jason’s baby blue eyes widened comically, and Jett begrudgingly smiled.
“Jett has a boyfriend? Holy shit.”
Ryan smacked a hand over Jason’s mouth, which only lasted as long as it took for him to get licked.
Christ, there was something wrong with them.
“No need for a wingman right now,” said Jett. “But that doesn’t mean anything, so please don’t bring it up or hint at it. We’re just friends—I think.”
“Who’s the guy?” asked Jason, his eyes darting back and forth. “He has to be hot. You’re too pretty to get caught up with—what do they have over there in Scotia? Bearded fishermen?”
“Hockey players too,” said Ryan. “Including Harrison Killinger.”
“Oh yeah, he’s pretty hot.” Jason trailed off, and Jett and Ryan waited patiently, knowing the lightbulb would eventually turn on.
“Wait.” Jason stared at Jett in silence long enough for it to be slightly uncomfortable. “You and—Harrison Killinger? He’s like, a legend around here.”
Jett wished more than anything in that moment that the ground would open under his feet and swallow him.
“How many pucks did you take to the head today?” Ryan asked Jason, knocking his knuckles to his head to check for signs of life. “I was trying to be subtle, but keep talking because I think the people on the other side of the building haven’t heard you yet.”
