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The sound of it on the crossbar was instantly swallowed by absolute chaos.

The red goal light flashed, and the Hellion fans erupted.

Tied game, but we weren’t done. The Wraiths fought back hard, but Marcus kept them from landing another goal.

Finally, a break came. Their winger lost control near center ice, and I stole the puck clean. Suddenly, it was just me and open ice.

The crowd stood before I’d even crossed the blue line. I could hear them chanting my name. I could hearherabove everyone else.

One move. Forehand to backhand. The goalie slid with me. I waited. Waited.

Then lifted the puck softly between his pads.

For half a second, nobody reacted.

Then the net rippled. The scoreboard changed, and the buzzer blew.

Game over.

I was late to hit the showers, since my father had brought some local investors to the game to parade around his hockey star sons. Cal had blown off the meet and greet, and I covered for him. I stood and waited while my father talked about the town, the team, and the new sponsorships the Sinclair brothers had brought in.

Since the news about him and Arthur had become known within the family, the dynamic had shifted. For the first time in his life, my father had been speechless when I’d set out the plan, going forward. No vindictive behavior toward Marjory. In fact, Father had coughed up a more than respectable amount in alimony, not to mention the full amount she was entitled to if he had broken the morality clause. I had also explained to him how we wouldn’t be moving schools, or towns, anytime soon.

Cal liked it here, and this was his year to get recruited. The office downtown was convenient for Selena to get work experience at, and I got to fuck her on the copier during breaks, so there was no downside, really. Cici’s school was close enough by car, the school which I had taken over the provision for. I’d also seen to it that she was set up with a trust for her future needs.

Now, my father and I were figuring out a new way of being. A new way to coexist, work together, and be a family. I might be imagining it, but I caught him smiling, like I’d never seen him smile before. Slowly, the weight of years of lying and self-denial was lifting.

And it was all because of my little heathen who I loved more than I’d ever loved anyone.

I stripped off. The rest of the team made their way out of the changing rooms.

“Don’t be too long, the party’s already going,” Marcus remarked as he headed out.

Cal followed. “You know that means he’s got you signed up for some kind of game, right?”

I just shook my head. “Better me than you, right?”

Cal gave me a grin and left. He’d played outstandingly tonight. It really was his turn to be recruited. I only hoped he wouldn’t wind up somewhere too far away.

With my mind occupied with thoughts of recruitments and drafts, I headed to the showers. I was alone by now, and grateful for the quiet. I turned on the water and stepped under.

I soaped up and washed the smell of the game off me. My muscles were tired and achy, but nothing a sauna and cold plunge wouldn’t handle. I’d convinced Selena to join me. Just the thought had me getting aroused.

“Tut-tut. Getting hard in the men’s locker room?” someone called.

I nearly tensed, but I recognized the tone right away. I reached out and grabbed the soap and turned to look at my love.

She lounged in the doorway, already in her underwear.

Heat charged up my spine and, just like that, I was solid as stone.

Since I wasn’t about to confess that just the passing thought of dragging Selena into the sauna with me had me turned on, I just grinned.

“Like father, like son, I guess.”

She rolled her eyes. Since finding out about my father’s secret sex life and long-term love, Selena had become more open to him.

“Mean.”