Page 20 of Game Misconduct

“I am actually surprised to hear that you don’t have ADHD,” Mickey said slowly. “It would explain a lot about the way you struggle with household chores.”

He looked at Rafe, who nodded.

Mickey and Rafe were dating and must share an apartment with Tanner or something, Leif realized. He shuddered. No thank you. He preferred having his own space. Somewhere clean and quiet and restful.

Living with Tanner Clayton sounded like the worst sort of hell.

Tanner shrugged at Mickey. “Nah. It’s cool. I know I’m a hot mess.”

“Emphasis on hot!” Jesse called out from the other end of the table where he’d taken a seat.

Tanner blew him a kiss. “You know it, Webby!”

Leif suddenly wondered if they’d ever hooked up. God, maybe Tanner had hooked up with a bunch of guys here.But who?Leif glanced around, wondering.

There certainlywasquite the collection of queer talent at this tournament. Including himself.

Leif had been scoring well enough this season to deserve his spot on the Nordic team’s roster. His father had been pleased too. If only NHL players were allowed to play in the Olympics. Not that Norway would be able to put on much of a showing in ice hockey—it was really more of a skiing country—but even being able towearhis country’s colors would be a point of pride.

“It wouldn’t really matter if you’d been diagnosed anyway, right, Clayton? Stimulants are banned,” Zane said, leaning forward and frowning at Tanner.

“I dunno.” Tanner shrugged.

“Surely there are exceptions,” La Bouche argued. “For therapeutic use.”

Zane shook his head. “No. Maybe in some leagues, but not in the NHL. Players can take non-stimulants, but even with a doctor’s exception, it’s not allowed.”

“How is that fair?” Mickey asked with a frown.

Zane’s frown deepened. “It isn’t. But I suppose it’s something that could be addressed in the future with the next collective bargaining agreement.”

“So, you use sex to focus?” Ryan asked, leaning into Leif’s space to talk to Tanner. Maybe Leif should just ask if they wanted to trade places.

Tanner lit up. “Oh, yeah, it totally clears my head. Shit, if I could get a blowie in the locker room between periods, that would be fuckingperfect.”

Leif made a strangled noise, but Ryan leaned in farther. “Honestly, that would be sick, dude!”

“I know right?” Tanner leaned in too. “Can youimagine?”

“Literally the dream.”

More like a nightmare,Leif thought grimly.

“So did you and Murphy ever …?” Tanner waggled his eyebrows.

Ryan shook his head. “In the locker room? Nah. Zane wasn’t up for it.”

Zane, who looked as horrified as Leif felt, grimaced. “It would betotally inappropriate.”

“Thank you!” Leif said, relieved someone was being the voice of reason around here.

“Oh, c’mon, it would be so hot!” Tanner protested.

“Frenchie and Coach got up to some stuff in a supply closet at the practice facility once,” Ryan said with a waggle of his eyebrows, nodding at Gabriel.

Gabriel shot him a sly smile. “What happened to keeping our secret, friend?”

Noah Boucher laughed and said something in French that made Gabriel throw his head back and laugh too.