Page 68 of Game Misconduct

Luke chuckled softly but Tanner gulped. Hoyt probably didn’t mean it. Tanner thought he was playing too well to get sent down, but there was no fucking way he was risking that shit.

Playing pro hockey was the fucking bomb no matter where it was. But if Tanner had to pick? He’d go with the league that had cushy charter flights and five-star hotels instead of bus rides and business-class hotels. He was dumb but he wasn’tthatdumb.

“I’ll be good! I swear,” Tanner called out.

“Believe it when I see it,” Hoyt shouted back.

Tanner glanced over in time to see Luke hiding a little grin.

Andthatwas the real reason why Tanner never wanted to go back to Concord unless it was on a conditioning stint after an injury or something. There were great guys on their AHL roster too but he fuckin’ loved these dudes. And whatever bullshit Luke spouted, Tanner knew he loved him too.

“Okay!” Tanner shouted once they were in the locker room. “We’re heading out on the road tomorrow. Who’s up for a movie night with snacks?”

Guys chorused “yes” and even Luke nodded grudgingly.

“The fun committee reserves the right to veto movie and snacks choices but is otherwise on board,” Jesse called out.

Perfect.Tanner grinned. God he’d missed his boys.

He hummed “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” as he stripped off his gear and showered.

“We’re alreadyinBoston now, you know,” Connor said drily from a few stalls over.

Tanner hummed louder and waggled his bare, soapy ass in his captain’s direction.

Crawford threw a bar of soap at his left butt cheek and Tanner yelped in mock-pain.

Yep, it was good to be back.

After practice, Leif bent down to unwrap the tape from around his socks as his stallmate—Drew Palmer—said, “So how was it having your old man coach?”

Leif ripped off a big strip. “He’s always worked with me on my training, so it wasn’t that different, to be honest.”

“I bet he was harder on you than everyone else. At least, that’s what my dad was like.”

Leif shrugged. “He was fair. He called out me out when I fucked up and?—”

Palmer scoffed. “Like youeverfuck up.”

“I do!” Leif protested. He sat up, raking his hair off his forehead.

“Yeah, okay, dude.”

Leif rolled his eyes. He definitely did. Even if Drew couldn’t see it.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Mirsad Renner called out. “Look who’s back!”

Leif glanced up to see Nicholas Calhoun standing in the doorway. Nicky looked good. Better than he had the past few times Leif had seen him. He had a somewhat narrow, long face with a firm chin and brown hair that was swept back off his forehead and it sometimes gave him an almost melancholy look. Though, that also could have been the chronic migraines that were causing that. But the dark circles under his hazel eyes were gone and his smile was bright today.

“Welcome back, Captain!” Andy Busch said loudly. He was a call-up from the Syracuse Missiles and apparently trying to win brownie points or something.

Beside him, defenseman Ian Salter shushed him. “He’s got migraines. Don’t be so loud.”

“Shit, sorry,” Andy whispered.

Nicky laughed softly. “My head’s good today, but thanks for thinking of me, Salty.”

As Nicky walked around the room, talking to guys and giving them hugs or playful shoves, Leif watched him carefully. He moved easily and he was dressed well, even if his tastes were a bit stuffier than Leif’s.