Chapter 17 Lukas
seventeen
Lukas
During our long ride home, Coach briefed us on the rally that would be waiting when we arrived home. Then he shared something odd.
For the first time since I’ve been playing at this level, our coach read off sales figures. It made little sense, and most of the guys shrugged it off and ignored it all, but a few, including me, were concerned.
We’re all aware that new owners came in this season, and most of us are here because of that. But sharing ticket sales numbers and merch sales? We have enough to worry about in our game.
Eventually, when everyone was sleeping or otherwise entertained, I excused myself from Burnsy and went to the front of the bus to speak with Coach.
“Hey, Lukas. What can I do for you?”
He moves his book off the empty seat, and I settle next to him. “I wanted to ask about the sales figures. Some guys seemed anxious to hear that the mascot was driving more sales, and I don’t know why they’d ask you to share that info with us. We just want to play hockey.”
Coach sighs and nods. “I know. There’s no real reason for it, and I’m wondering if the owners even know what’s going on.
The woman from marketing told me to share the report, and I did it against my better judgment.
” Coach rubs his temples. “I’m hoping to get a meeting with ownership soon, too, because this made me more than a little uncomfortable. ”
“Are the numbers real? Did the mascot merch really sell that well?”
I’m curious on Ben’s behalf. He gets a bonus, he said, and I don’t know much about sales, but it sounded good.
“I don’t see why they’d give me fake numbers to relay.
But who knows? I heard the crowd loved Slappy, and our next three games had a 20% increase in ticket sales after the first appearance.
Slappy could be part of it, and they insist he’s part of the team.
Maybe that’s all it is. To show he’s helping the team. ”
“Maybe. Are the new owners going to meet us at all?”
“I hope so. I understand why they haven’t yet, but hopefully soon.”
“Well… thanks, Coach. I just want to get home now. It’s been a long trip.”
Coach Nix shifts as he watches me with more attention.
“Someone waiting for you? You’ve been grinning at your phone all the time and staying in most nights.”
My cheeks heat as I nod. “Yeah, it’s new, and I really like him. Makes road trips a lot harder now. Before, I never cared.”
Some players don’t like to confide in their coach, but it’s always been my outlet. Without a family, sometimes you just need someone you trust to confide in or unload with. Coach Nix has been great so far in the short time I’ve played for him.
It’s right there to ask him if I’m violating any rules with Ben, but I hold back.
“Well, it looks good on you, but don’t let it distract you so much. You need to stay in the game even when there’s a loved one back home. We need you, Lukas.” His gaze shifts back to business. “You need to learn to put home life in a box during game time.”
“I know. I’ll talk with the sports therapists. Thanks, Coach.”
After returning to my seat, Burnsy is already asleep, and I try to do the same, but it doesn’t come. Ben and his love of skimpy underwear fill my thoughts, along with how he’s stayed in my bed and worn my clothes like it was the easiest thing in the world.
But mostly my thoughts fixate on how I’m disappointed he can’t meet me at the rink like the other families. I wanted him there, smiling and full of snark, so I could crush him to me and kiss him like I promised. I just want to have someone welcome me home in public.
It feels childish to be angry over something so simple, but I am. At least I know what’s been bothering me on this long ride now.
I’m jealous that Ben is the damn team beaver and can’t pay attention to me how I want. I never thought I’d see the day when I was jealous of a damn oversized rodent, but here we are.
Now I have to figure out what to do about it.
The bus pulls into the parking lot of the rink fifteen minutes behind schedule, and my eyes damn near pop out of my head.
The crowd is enormous.
Way more people than I’d expect for a quickly arranged welcome back rally. Scanning the crowd, I don’t immediately see Ben, but the smile on my lips is real despite that. We have fan support, and it only took a few weeks.
“Gentlemen!” Coach claps his hands at the front of the bus, and we pause in gathering our things. “I know you want to rush home for a much-needed rest and to hug your families, but please sign some autographs and acknowledge the fans out here for us. They came here for you; remember that.”
“They’re here for the beaver!” Someone at the back shouts, and I laugh inside. Probably true if the sales numbers are right.
“Maybe.” Coach shrugs. “But we had a stellar road trip, so pat yourselves on the back and don’t come to the rink until Monday afternoon. No practice on Sunday. You’ve earned it.”
That earns a hearty cheer inside the bus, and when the door opens, the crowd is so loud I feel like a rock star.
The guys are loving it and signing autographs with smiles on their faces.
Photos are taken, and just when I think Ben might have been here and left already, music sounds behind the crowd.
A boisterous tune to make you jump and groove and announce an arrival.
Ben, well, Slappy, waves to the crowd before launching into a tumbling sequence towards us. The attention shifts from the players while the kids run over to him. He high-fives as many as he can before grabbing a sign from a woman nearby. When he holds it up, I laugh out loud.
‘Pine for MVP!’ the sign reads as he jumps around and just acts like a nut. Even the adults are into it.
“Looks like you have a new fan,” Evans says next to me as he reaches for the Sharpie a fan is holding out and signs their jersey.
“Seems that way.”
I try to focus on the autographs and photos as I make my way towards the rink. I don’t travel with my car keys. Instead, I leave them in my stall and come in to get them when we return. One of the odd things I do, but whatever. Some players wear the same socks, and I leave my keys in my stall.
The boys disperse, fanning out to vehicles with their families, and most of the fans clutch a new autographed piece that makes this time out of their day worth it. Thankfully, my irrational anger at not getting a welcome-home kiss has dissipated, and I breeze into the quiet locker room.
After stuffing my keys in my pocket, I turn to leave as the door opens and Slappy slides in.
“You’re surprisingly fast. I thought I’d lose you.” Ben whips off his head and tosses it aside before rushing at me. “Fuck, I hated not being able to kiss you right away.”
His arms go around my neck, and our lips come together. Desperate yet tender in a lover’s reunion I’ve been dreaming of. As it always is with Ben, the flames soar hot and we’re tugging at each other’s clothes.
“Me too, baby. I wanted to show you off.”
Ben’s mouth is on my neck, my collarbone, and back to my lips. “You’re illegally hot in a suit, by the way.” He tugs at my tie. “You have millions of these in your closet. Ever use them for other things?”
His lips are back on mine before I can answer, and I’m backing him into the wall. “No, Ben, I haven’t. But I bet you’d like them on you, wouldn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
Jesus. This man. We’re making out and rutting against each other while he’s still in his mascot suit, and it should creep me out. It really should, but I just want Ben.
“Oh my god! I didn’t know anyone was here. Oh my god!”
We both jump apart to find Landon, mouth agape as he tries to look anywhere but at us.
“Landon. Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone else came in here after road trips.”
He holds up his medical bag. “I like to restock right away so it’s ready for the next time, and I don’t forget.” His arms drop to his side. “You must be Ben.”
Ben nods and waves. “Yep. Hi.”
“You two know each other?” I ask as I look between them.
Landon shakes his head. “No, but if he were injured as Slappy, I know who he is. This is our first meeting.”
“Umm…could you…uh, keep it to yourself? There’s some ambiguity around…well, this whole thing and —”
Landon holds up his hand to cut me off. “I didn’t see a thing, and don’t worry. I don’t know if there’s a no-dating-teammates policy or not, but I’d not be the one snitching on you.”
Voices sound outside, and Ben’s eyes widen. “Shit. Where’s my head?” He whispers, and Landon quickly scoops it off the floor and drags Ben away by the arm.
“Come with me.”
They disappear through the door into the medical room just as the door opens and Evans walks in.
“How come you’re not home yet?” he says as he walks to his stall.
“I left my keys here.” I dangle them before shoving them back in my pocket and hope he doesn’t notice the tie askew, and that Ben didn’t leave any marks anywhere. “How come you’re here?”
Evans rummages through his things and pulls out a bottle of body wash. “I ran out on the road and want to keep the streak alive. You know…player superstitions and all that.”
His gaze drops to my throat before returning to mine. His icy stare sets my heart racing with panic, but I simply nod before turning to leave.
“Right. I’ll be going. See you Monday.”
I exit the locker room, heart nearly beating out of my body at what just happened. What if Evans had walked in first and seen us? Maybe Landon is right, and I should look into the team dating thing before this blows up.
After picking up my suitcase from the stand near the parking area, I wave at a few guys still lingering and slip into my car. My phone pings with a text from Landon.
Landon: Ben says he’ll meet you at your place when the coast is clear.
I respond, telling him I’m on my way home now and thanking Landon again for his discretion. As I drive home, I keep thinking back to my position on the team and how I’m only a rule breaker on the ice.