Page 96 of Goalie Interference

“Oh, now you can make a save.” Ronson sneers. “Where was that when you played with us?”

“That’s how it always is with you losers up here,” Danton says before I can answer Ronson. “It’s always someone else’s fault that you can’t win.”

Ronson pushes Danton. “That’s real rich coming from a Mule. When was the last time your franchise won the Stanley Cup? Oh, wait, I know when. Never.”

“As opposed to your team having not won one since the sixties.” Danton laughs. “The Mules didn’t even exist the last time Toronto won a Stanley Cup. I wouldn’t brag if I were you.”

“Fuck off,” Ronson says and pushes Danton again before he skates away for the next faceoff.

“What a prick,” Danton says to me, then skates away as well.

Danton’s not wrong. Ronson is a prick. But I don’t think he always has been. He used to be friendlier when I played here. But he’s fallen victim to what happens to most players who play in the Toronto market for too long. The fans, the media, the pressure, it takes a toll on everyone eventually.

It’s the main reason why the Mules felt like such a fresh start when I was traded there. It’s the complete opposite experience. The fans are supportive whether we’re winning or losing. The local media doesn’t criticize, but instead wants to be a part of the fun. As for pressure? The only pressure that exists for us is the expectations we have for ourselves.

Life in St. Louis is pretty damn great.

Ander

The soft knock on the hotel room door has both me and Shutzie running to answer it. When I swing it open, Nikolai is standing before me in a perfectly tailored black suit looking like the handsomest man I have ever seen with his suitcase beside him. He’s stunning like this. It makes me want to curse the people who think we should do away with the tradition. Why deny the world a glimpse of this man dressed like the star he is?

“You okay?” he asks me as he starts to undo his tie.

I blink at him.

“Your jaw is on floor.” He then flicks my chin up with his finger.

“I can’t help it,” I say as I step out of the way to let him in. “Have you seen yourself?”

“Yes. Many times.” He lifts his suitcase and places it on the holder in the room then opens it.

“Are you planning on spending the night?” I ask him. I have been hoping he would. But I don’t know what he’s told the Mules about me being here. Danton might take notice of his absence.

“Yes,” he says as his lips pull up into a smile. “I will be spending night. If that is alright with you, of course.”

“Of course it’s fucking alright with me,” I say. “But what about the Mules? Danton? Won’t he notice you’re gone?”

“He is thrilled I am gone.” He takes his suit jacket off and lays it on top of his case, then does the same with his tie. “He said he and Vicky are going to have some fun phone time now that I am no longer in way.”

“Gross.”

“No more gross than when we do it.”

“That’s fair, but like, you know, he’s your captain.”

“Yes. And your captain has loud sex regularly with boyfriend while you are all on the road, so what is your point?”

“I guess I don’t have one,” I say as I watch him unbuckle his belt. I adjust myself in my sweatpants.

“Like what you see?” He smirks at me.

“Yes. Very fucking much so. Please hurry up and get naked so we can fuck.”

“So impatient. I thought you liked looking at me in suit?”

“I do. It’s why I got instantly horny. Now come on.” I point at the table by the window that is laden with dishes of food covered with silver domes. I ordered us burgers, French fries, and a decadent slice of chocolate cake for dessert. “Let’s pull off a quickie before we eat all the room service I ordered and I become useless to you.”

He pauses in the act of removing his clothes and looks at me with softness in his gaze. “You could never be useless to me.”