Goal Lines & First Times (CU Hockey 3)

Seth purses his lips, probably coming to the same conclusion—if I went down that route, we’d have to do long distance.

On the ice, Foster scores, and we’re officially distracted from my depressing future. We jump out of our seats to cheer. Foster points his stick into the crowd at Zach, and Zach sits back down and covers his flaming face.

“I told him to stop doing that,” he mutters.

“He loves watching you blush,” I say.

Zach covers his face more. “I love him, but sometimes I really don’t like him.”

“Oh, how I understand that when it comes to my brother,” Seth says, and we all laugh.

“You always like me, right?” I ask Seth.

“Of course.” I can’t tell if he’s being truthful or condescending, really.

Montreal eke out a win by the skin of their teeth, but at least that means Foster will be in a celebratory mood.

We go to the bar on the top floor of the hotel where we spent the first part of New Year’s, but this time it’s just the four of us. Foster’s teammates went to some sports bar nearby, but he wanted to spend tonight with his brother and boyfriend. And me … by default, but I’ll take it.

“Sorry you can’t fanboy all over my teammates again like on New Year’s,” Foster says to me.

“Oh, so the real reason we didn’t go to the same bar as them comes out. I’m too embarrassing for you.”

He winks at me. “Exactly.”

I want to be mad, but I can’t because it’s true. I was a little starstruck that night.

“Eh. I have everything I need right here.” I pull Seth’s chair closer.

Foster gets a wicked gleam in his eye. “Hey, Seth? Do you remember when I started dating Zach and you kept trying to cockblock me? I promised there would be payback when you found someone. And I so cannot wait until the end of my season. Summer will be hotter than hell for both of you. I’m talking showing up at your apartment at all hours. Telling you stories about Cohen’s drunken antics, and oh boy, do I have so many of them.”

I narrow my gaze. “Don’t.”

Foster laughs. “I feel so powerful right now.”

Seth smiles. “Do your worst. I’m sure we can handle it.”

My gaze darts to his. “Really?”

“Don’t let him see weakness,” Seth says out the side of his mouth. “It will only encourage him.”

Foster’s evil glimmer in his eyes scares me.

“It might be too late for that,” I say.

We continue to drink, both Seth and I getting a little sloppy, but we don’t have far to stumble downstairs.

On my way to the bar for more drinks, Foster comes with me. While we wait for our order, he nudges me.

“Zach said you were talking about trying to get a league job when you graduate.”

Sounds like Zach has a bit of a big mouth. And ears. I didn’t realize he was paying attention back at the game.

“Ideally, yeah, but it’s not like those jobs come up often.”

“That’s because they’re usually gone before they have a chance to be advertised. You need someone on the inside.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Oh, so the cockblocking is starting already? Hey, Cohen, there’s a job with Vancouver, you should apply and conveniently leave my brother on the other side of the country.”

Foster bursts out laughing. “I was actually thinking of something a little closer. Your degree’s in communications, right? Media? You run that Instagram with all the game stats.”

“Yeah.”

“I happen to know Montreal is looking for an assistant in the PR department for next season. The current one is being promoted to PR rep while the boss of the department retires, so they need another bitch boy to run errands and stuff. Probably doesn’t pay much, but if you’re interested …”

“Yes,” I say immediately but then regret it. “Wait … no, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

How do I explain that Seth has issues with him, and me moving to Montreal would make it seem like I was choosing Foster over him. Like I was leaving him the way Zach is leaving him and every other friend he’s had since childhood.

“It’s complicated.”

“Okay, well, if you uncomplicate it, let me know. I can put in a good word. Should probably warn you, I doubt the job will be there for long.”

“Sure.”

We get our drinks and head back to where Zach and Seth are chatting.

My gaze lands on Seth, and yep, I don’t think I could go for that job even though it sounds perfect. So perfect I didn’t even think before I dropped that yes. But I would rather go into coaching with Beck and Jacobs if it meant I didn’t leave Seth.

I don’t see it as choosing my boyfriend over my career. I see it as which will make me happier? That’s always been hockey. The thing I’ve given everything to. Now I have someone who gives back. Someone who doesn’t see me as a dumbass, or thinks I’m perfect, but knows exactly who I am and sticks around anyway. I’d be an idiot to give that up.