Power Plays & Straight A's (CU Hockey 1)

“I know you wanted Boston, and Providence is a good path to take to get there eventually, but there’s another offer on the table. The money is a little more than San Jose, and it’s on the East Coast …”

“With who?”

When he speaks again, I have to ask him to repeat himself.

He chuckles and says it again.

My eyes meet Zach’s. He’s waiting with anticipation and nerves shining in his eyes.

“I’ll fucking take it.” I wince at the swear word slipping out. “Sorry. Again.”

“We might have to get you some PR lessons. As soon as possible by the sound of it if we’re going to do a press conference announcing you’ve signed with a team. Try not to drop any F-bombs then, okay?”

“I won’t.” I won’t do anything to f—screw up this opportunity.

“I’ll get the ball rolling. You’ll sign contracts in a few days. Talk soon?”

“O-okay.”

He ends the call.

“What did he say?” Zach asks.

I still can’t believe it myself.

“Foster, what did he say?”

“M-Montreal,” I murmur.

“Montreal? Really?” His face is passive as if he’s in shock or doesn’t want to get his hopes up.

“I’m only gonna be two hours away. Two. Hours.”

He finally breaks into a smile. “I could come to home games!”

“You could. I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I’d love for you to be there. You don’t even have to be in the team box.”

“We could have weekends together. Well, when you’re not at away games. We could—”

I laugh.

His face suddenly falls. “Shit, can you speak French?”

“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? Does that count?”

“No.”

“Damn. But I can speak Canadian, eh. I’ll fit right in.”

“What about Boston or New York?”

“New York wasn’t interested, and Boston only offered a spot on their farm team. But even if they offered me more … Montreal is a better fit.”

“But Boston was your dream.”

I step closer to him, and his gaze heats as he realizes I’m only wearing a towel.

“This is a better dream. Hockey and you.”

“You’re the dream I never thought I’d have.”

I grin. “What’s that concept you were struggling with again?”

His green eyes meet mine. “Symbiosis.”

“Right. Two completely different organisms coming together to mutually benefit each other. That sounds like us.”

“I’m still trying to work out what you get from this deal.”

“Don’t. You never have to question what I get out of my relationship with you.”

“It’s the sex, isn’t it?”

I laugh. “For a start. There’s also comfort and that really gross feeling in my chest when you tell me you love me. It makes me go all warm and fuzzy, and while it’s eww, it’s also amazing. Oh, and I can’t forget the array of nerdy underwear. I get a lot out of that.”

“Foster—”

“Wait, I’m not done. You make me laugh, especially with your quirky observations about other people. You support me and my dreams. And, I like—no love—spending time with you.”

“I feel the same way. I think I love you more than research.”

“Now that’s saying something.”

“Right?”

I cup Zach’s face. “I love all of you. Every quirk. Every blush.”

“I love the way you take care of me without babying me. And I’m envious of your confidence and your ego even if they sometimes need to be taken down a peg or two. You’re everything I wish I could be, and I know you bring out the best in me.”

I shake my head. “Baby, that’s all you.”

Zach smiles. “See? You’re doing it right now—making me feel like I could be anyone and do anything.”

“You are.”

“Right now, all I want to be is yours.”

“Mm, we’re gonna get our symbiosis on.”

Zach frowns. “You can’t make that dirty.”

“Sure I can. I can make anything dirty. Starting with you. I feel like your skin needs to be covered in cum.” Yay, there’s the blushing I love so much. I push him toward the bed. “We need to celebrate. Next year is going to be a lot easier with me being so close.”

“It will still be difficult at times.”

I lay him down and cover his body with mine. “I know. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. Because you’re not only mine for now, Zach. I want you to be mine forever.” I swallow hard.

Zach’s lips flatten. “The idea of forever is scary.”

“Nah. Not when it comes to us. But we’ll take this one year at a time. There’ll be moments where we’re apart, but I never want you to doubt what we are. We’re in this for the long haul.”

“The long haul …” Zach’s smile is blinding. “Long haul it is.”