Page 99 of Home Ice

“I’m only alone in the offseason. Lachie has a wing to himself, but we hang out pretty often.”

“Only a wing, huh?” Kasen takes his bag from Hawke. “What’s wrong? Your palace closed for renovations?”

This time, the laugh sneaks out.

Hawke flicks a bewildered look between us. “I mean, it’s … kinda big. I guess. Some of the other guys’ places are way bigger than this.”

“You’re speaking to two people who live in a shoe box. I think you’ll survive.”

I’d dispute it since our three-bedroom houses are completely normal-sized, but in comparison, Kasen is right.

“Give us the tour,” I say before Hawke can look any more uncomfortable.

“Ah, okay. Let’s throw these in the foyer and get started.”

The foyer is not at all like the one I have. In fact, it’s almost the size of my house. Marble floor, huge staircase, and a ceiling I have to stretch my neck back to see. The rest of the house is more of the same. Huge industrial kitchen, a cinema, a basketball court right next to the in-ground pool. He has an enormous gym, which is the one part I could have guessed, and I count all seven bedrooms that we pass.

Kasen walks into one at the opposite end of the hall to Hawke’s. “Can I claim this one?”

Hawke’s head snaps to him. “What do you mean?”

Kasen gives him a once-over, and I recognize the way his face goes blank when he’s putting himself out there. “For my bedroom.”

“Your bedroom?” Hawke echoes, and I want to slap him.

Kasen shrugs. “Unless you want me to sleep in a box instead.”

“No, no, this room’s good.” Hawke follows him in there. “We can change anything you like. New mattress, curtains, uh … like, whatever you want.”

Kasen’s got his back to Hawke, but from the doorway, I watch him fight a smile before he turns back around. “I’m here for two nights. Calm down.”

“Yeah, I know. I just want you to be comfortable. Obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“Why this room?” I ask, trying to give Hawke time for his brain to catch up. The room isn’t the biggest, and one of the other ones has a view of the pool.

“Easy. It’s the furthest from his.” Kasen points his thumb at Hawke. “I don’t need to hear you guys fucking.”

This time, it’s my brain that goes offline. “Uh, we … we won’t … we’re not …”

For some reason, my stammering makes Kasen laugh. “Relax, Coach. I don’t care that you guys have a thing. I’m fourteen, not four. I know what sex is.” He tosses his bag on the bed. “But my impressionable ears don’t need to be hearing that.”

Hawke sighs, and it’s like the anxiousness seeps out of him. “Keep making things awkward and I will find a box for you to sleep in.”

“Excellent parenting. Ten out of ten.”

“If anyone asks, I’m still learning.” Hawke stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Do you have something to wear tomorrow night?”

Kasen nods. “Went to a cousin’s wedding with Mom last year.”

Hawke looks doubtfully at the bag. “Might want to get it out so it doesn’t wrinkle.”

“Also, have you tried it on since then?” I ask. A year is a long time, and I’ve seen for myself how those kids have grown like they’re being stretched out.

“No. Should I?”

“Depends,” I reply. “Do you want to meet professional hockey players in a too-small suit?”