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Winning enough that you got to hoist the cup.

It really could have gone either way.

Which is true, I guess. It could have. But Ander had our number. In the end, he let in fewer goals than I did. And one of those goals I let in was our doom. Sitting on my bed, I sigh and stare at my phone. I should respond, but I don’t know what to say.

Instead, three dots appear next to his name, before another bubble pops up in the thread.

Don’t fret on it too much. I’ve lost count of how many shots Kennedy has flicked past me this week.

A small smile tugs at my lips. And I hate to admit that hearing he has a hard time stopping Connor Kennedy’s shots pleases me.

Good to know you have weakness.

Just that one.

He sends the message, then under it adds a giant winking face emoji.

I will keep that in mind.

Hey, I gotta go. Team dinner at Tavish’s place.

We have one of those too.

Say hi to my brother for me. Have fun tonight. See you in October.

Yes. See you in October.

My cheeks are high and tight when I close out of the text thread. It’s interesting. Ander is nothing like I expected him to be. Well, that’s not true. He is a bit cocky, which is what I expected. But he’s also quite a bit more. He’s social. Friendly. Genuine. I like it. I like him, more than I should. But I guess not all rivalries need to be adversarial. Some can be rooted in convivial respect.

FIVE

Ander

Never in my life have I struggled this much deciding what to wear. I usually don’t care. And I’m certainly no Ryan who always looks like a fashion advertisement. But for some reason tonight, I’m struggling to pick an outfit to hit the town in.

Which is really annoying! I love going out. Though I guess that has changed a bit since I got a dog. Suddenly going out isn’t nearly as appealing. In fact, I’ve stayed home almost every night since the season started—with the exception of last week’s away games—since I got back to Buffalo. However, for as good company as Shutzie is, I still can’t shake the feeling something is missing from my life.

My mom was definitely onto something over the summer when she said I needed a girlfriend. But I don’t really have time for finding one of those between practices, games scheduled almost every other day, road trips that last anywhere from five to ten days, and now a dog that depends on me.

But all that changes tonight. I’ve planned a dinner out with my brother and Ryan, Gavin and Connor, and Nikolai as well since I thought maybe he would want to join. Both teams have the night off as our game isn’t until tomorrow, and the Mules didn’t have a team dinner planned. So it’s a trip to the best steak house in Buffalo followed by drinks at a nearby lounge. A nice low-key night with friends.

Well, as low-key a night as hockey players can have. Which, I’m learning as the hockey players closest to me continue to pair off, is actually pretty chill. The fact I’m getting any of them to leave their homes or hotel rooms is a miracle.

That’s another reason why I invited Nikolai to join. Us single straight guys need to stick together. We can be each other’s wingmen.

Finally, after staring into the unorganized abyss that is my closet, I settle on the gray pants from my favorite suit and a fitted yellow knit long-sleeved shirt. The chill has arrived in Buffalo, but seeing as how I’m a Green Bay boy who plays hockey, the cold has never been an issue for me, so I don’t bother to grab the jacket that goes with the pants.

I like this better anyway. It’s more casual, not nearly as formal. It’s a better choice for a night out with friends.

There’s a knock on my door as I zip up my pants that sends Shutzie running and barking. I don’t need to check who it is. With Gavin and Connor living in the same building as me, it’s always one or both of them. Judging by the fact it sounds like the cops are at my door, I’m guessing it’s Gavin who did the knocking. He’s more of a pound his fist against everything in front of him guy as opposed to Connor who tends to tap the wood with his knuckles.

I swing the door open and use my foot to block the way so Shutzie can’t run out into the hallway.

“You look nice,” Connor says as he looks me up and down. “Who are you trying to impress with that titty shirt tonight?”

“Connor,” Gavin says. “Don’t encourage him. His head is big enough as it is.”

“Look at him, though!” Connor gestures up and down at my torso with his hand. “Who’d have thought he was hiding those things underneath all those goalie pads?”