Chapter 2
TWO
LOGAN
I step out of the locker room feeling clean but still wired. The shower did jack shit to cool me off—not with Captain Todd Shaw one stall over, pretending I don’t exist.
Seeing him again wasn’t exactly a shock. I did my homework before transferring. I knew he was here. Hell, maybe that’s part of why I said yes to the offer.
It’s not like we have some epic, tragic history. I just read the signs wrong when I was younger. Thought he was into me too. Spoiler: he wasn’t. Not a big deal, except for the part where he avoided me like I was contagious after I tried to kiss him.
That alone makes me want to mess with him.
Because he’s either really damn repressed—which is my guess—or he just doesn’t like guys, and the idea freaks him out. Either way, I can’t wait to get under his skin.
The sun hits me hard when I push through the doors, late-morning glare bouncing off the hood of my beat-up Jeep. I’m halfway to unlocking it when I hear quick footsteps behind me.
“Yo, Logan!”
I turn. Daniel—the guy permanently attached to his phone after practice—jogs up, hockey bag thumping against his leg. His dark hair’s still damp, curling a little at the ends.
“Hey,” I say, leaning against the Jeep as I reach it.
“You heading toward campus?” He’s slightly out of breath. “My ride bailed, and I live in the dorms. Don’t feel like walking.”
“Yeah, hop in.”
He tosses his bag in the back and slides into the passenger seat while I start the Jeep. The engine rumbles to life, low and rough, and I ease us out of the lot. I’m still buzzing from the morning.
Daniel’s not shy. “So—you’re the transfer, right? From Westbridge?”
“Yep.” I check the mirrors and merge into traffic.
“Cool. You looked good out there. Pretty sure Coach already wants to adopt you.”
I grin. “Good to know.”
He’s quiet for half a beat, then glances over, eyes sharp. “Just so you know, I can always spot family.”
One brow lifts. “Family?”
“You know.” He waves a hand between us. “Gay. Bi. Pan. Whatever flavor. You don’t give off straight-bro energy.”
A laugh slips out. “That obvious, huh?”
“Please. I saw the way you were looking at Todd. And you were definitely flirting.”
Ah. There it is.
He grins like he’s cracked some code. “Just…don’t get your hopes up. Captain doesn’t swing that way.”
I let the silence stretch, the hum of the engine and the radio filling the space. Then I glance over, a slow grin tugging at my mouth.
“If you say so.”
Daniel blinks, intrigued, but I don’t elaborate. I just change lanes, sun flashing across the windshield.
He studies me for another beat before shrugging. “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Captain Stoneface’s basically a monk. Doesn’t date, doesn’t party unless we drag him. Lives, breathes, bleeds hockey.”
“Mm.” I smirk. “Noted.”
“You’re not gonna tell me if I’m right, are you?”
“Nope.”
He groans. “Ugh, mysterious hot new teammate. Fine. But if you’re gonna crush on him, at least let me watch. Seeing him trip over his own skates would be the highlight of my semester.”
I laugh. “You’re an interesting character, you know that?”
“Duh. That’s why people love me.” He perks up, phone already in hand. “Hey, you got Snapchat? The team’s group chat is where all the gossip lives. Gotta add you before someone gives you a nickname you hate.”
I hand him my phone at the next red light. “Knock yourself out.”
He types fast, then flashes a grin. “There. Now you’re officially part of the chaos. Also—dibs on being your first real friend here.”
“First?” I glance over, amused.
“You think Todd’s gonna take you under his wing? Please. The guy barely talks to anyone except Peter, Eli, or me—and I’m not even sure that’s voluntary. It’s either me or the freshmen, and they still think Fortnite is a personality.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “All right. You win. First friend.”
He fist-pumps. “Yes! Full loyalty. And maybe some transfer gossip later. Like who you dated before this. Also, are you on Prism? Because my gaydar doesn’t get this excited for no reason.
Oh—and Eli Starling, our goalie? He’s family too, but he’s taken.
His boyfriend’s our old trainer. We call him the Grinch. ”
I don’t answer—he doesn’t need me to. I just keep my eyes on the road, lips twitching. There’s definitely a story there, but I’m not the gossiping type.
For the record, yeah, I’m on Prism. Haven’t hooked up in months, though. Maybe a new city will change that. Then again, it’s probably the same shit everywhere.
When I pull up in front of the dorms, Daniel hops out, waving like we’ve been friends for years.
“Later, new bestie!” he calls.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes as he disappears inside.
The Jeep idles at the curb, warm sun spilling through the windshield. I lean my head back, letting the hum of the engine settle into my bones, the morning finally starting to quiet—except for the name looping in my head.
Todd.
Three years later, and here he is.
Hotter than ever. Wound tighter than before.
I glance across campus, watching a couple students bike past, and my grin spreads slow and sure.
I didn’t think I’d get a second shot. But now that I have…
I’m looking forward to seeing if I can finally get Captain Shaw out of the closet.
I pull out my phone before shifting into drive, thumb hovering over the screen for a second before I hit ‘Mom.’
She picks up on the second ring, her voice coming out over my speakers. “Logan! My favorite child!”
I grin. “Pretty sure I’m your only child.”
“Exactly. Favorite by default.” Her voice is bright, teasing, and it makes me feel a little homesick, even though I just saw her two days ago. “How was your first practice?”
“Good,” I say, leaning an elbow against the window as I ease the Jeep into campus traffic. “Coach seems solid. Team’s decent. Think I’ll fit in fine.”
“That’s my boy,” she says, and I can hear the clinking of dishes in the background. “Made any friends yet?”
I think of Daniel, already claiming bestie status before I even parked. “Yeah, one. He’s…chatty.”
“Well, that’s good for you. You need someone to balance out your broody streak. Especially now that you’re so far away.”
“I don’t brood,” I argue automatically.
“You do,” she counters, smug. “You get it from your father.”
I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see it. “How’s the apartment?” she asks. “You unpack yet?”
“Mostly. Still need a few things for the kitchen. It’s…quiet.”
“Well, that won’t last.” I can practically see her smile. “You’ll charm that whole team in a week. They won’t know what hit them.”
I hum, glancing in the rearview mirror at the campus fading behind me. “Maybe one of them already doesn’t.”
“Logan Brooks,” she warns, instantly suspicious. “That tone. What are you up to?”
“Nothing,” I lie easily. “Just settling in like you told me to.”
“Mhm. Behave yourself. And remember what you’re doing this for.”
“I know,” I say softly. “And I will.”
The scouts who can open doors to the NHL watch this team. I didn’t transfer here just for nostalgia—or for him. I came to make something of myself. To get noticed. To finally prove I belong.
“Liar,” she says, but it’s fond. “Call me after your first game. I want all the details. Your dad and I might drive up for one—maybe the State matchup.”
“Will do, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
I hang up and drop my phone into the cup holder, the corners of my mouth still tugging up. The hum of the Jeep fills the quiet, the sun warm against my arm.
Campus rolls by outside the window, sunlight catching on the glass dorms and the quad where students lounge in little clusters.
New team. New start.
Old temptation.
Yeah. This year’s going to be interesting.