Page 67 of Game Misconduct

“And we can do sexy video chats!” Tanner had called as Leif walked out the door.

Grateful the hall was empty now, Leif was still shaking his head about that comment long after he returned to his floor, fetched his luggage, then went down to the lobby to wait for his ride to the airport.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Tanner felt like he was walking on air as he left the ice after his first practice back with the Harriers.

Playing with Team USA had beensickbut being back with his boys was the fucking best. Still, Tanner had to make sure his D-partner knew that he wasverydisappointed in him.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t watch the North Atlantic Tournament,” he complained as they left the ice after practice.

“I fucking did. I just … wasn’t that focused on part of a couple of games,” Crawford said. He sounded grumpy but Tanner wasn’t sure if it was because he’d been bugging Luke about that during practice or because that was just kind of … Luke.

He was a grumpy fucker and there was literally nothing Tanner found more entertaining than annoying him. Well … maybe sex. Or hockey. They were all up there.

Tanner scowled. “I got the game-winning goal in the semifinals, dude! I am the entire fuckingreasonTeam USA evenmadeit to the finals.”

“Fuck you too, dude,” Graham said with a laugh, punching Tanner’s upper arm as he walked past them. “Way to ignore my contributions.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!” Tanner called after him, feeling bad. “You did great, S’mores!”

Crawford rolled his eyes.

He thought nicknames were dumb but Tanner fucking loved them. He’d never really figured out a good one for Luke, unfortunately.

“And I didn’thaveto watch every second of every game to see that you were wildly out of position half the damn time,” Crawford pointed out. “You’rebetterthan that.”

Tanner squinted, deeply confused and suspicious. “You never say nice things to me. Were you kidnapped by aliens? Are you dying? This isn’t normal.”

Crawford scowled back at him. “I just told you that you played like shit. How is that being nice?”

“Yeah, but you also said that I’m better than that.” Tanner grinned. That was the biggest compliment Luke had ever given him.

“Well, youcouldbe if you were fucking paying attention to your gap control and positioning,” Crawford argued.

Tanner ignored it. “So if you didn’t watch the games, whatdidyou do over break?”

“I fucking told you I watched them. Mostly I rehabbed though. Did charity shit.”

“That’s it?” Tanner made a face. “Rehab and charity? Boring.”

“I did some work on my house.”

Ah-ha!The truth was coming out now. “So youdolive in a house!”

“No, I live with your m?—”

“If you say my mom, I will murder you!” Tanner shouted and threw himself at Crawford.

He weighed a good forty pounds less than Luke but the element of surprise helped and Luke bumped into the wall.

He shoved Tanner back and he went flying into the other wall with a loud thud. Thankfully, they both had their gear still on.

“Clayton, what part of non-contact don’t you understand?” Coach Hoyt yelled from behind them. “Crawford’s not cleared yet.”

“We’re not on the ice, coach!” Tanner called back but he couldn’t stop grinning.

“I don’tcarewhere we are! If you put Crawford out of commission again, I will get you sent down to Concord!”