Page 41 of Goalie interference

“Then what’s the big deal?” Reed asked, only half-paying attention as he gathered his whiteboards and markers. “It’s all hockey team staff, and you said the guy likes hockey–the team will even be there–it’s for charity.”

Ahhh.

The charity hockey banquet.

The team hosted it every year, and this year it was for kids with heart disease. It was always some fancy dinner and stuff, but I usually just went for an hour or two and got drunk off free champagne.

Reed was trying to convince Thay to bring me to that.

“He just wouldn’t be interested–that’s all,” Thay said, dismissing the conversation when Reed blew his whistle, calling us all in.

◆◆◆

“Let me,” Thayer hummed, stopping me from walking out of our room. He took hold of my tie, untying the sloppy knot I’d made and retying it neatly. “Much better.” He smiled, pulling on the tail to bring me in for a quick kiss.

“Thanks,” I whispered, eyes still shut and refusing to leave his bubble just yet.

Thayer backed away first, clearing his throat to get my attention. “I’ll see you there, but–”

“I know, I know–keep my hands to myself,” I sighed, pouting slightly. “Promise me I’ll get to take all that off when we get home?” I asked, gesturing at his suit with a wiggle in my brow.

“I promise.” he smiled, taking a gentle hold of my chin and guiding me closer for one more kiss. “You promise me the same thing, right, baby?”

“Absolutely,” I breathed, a smile stuck on my face.

Begrudgingly, Thayer released my jaw, letting me go.

The team had to be at the event early to meet with some kids and take some pictures with our jerseys over our suits. It was only about an hour or so, but it meant that I couldn’t even ride with Thayer…

Not that I did anyway.

Thayer was so good at making sure I didn’t feel it so much, but being hidden sucked. I never cared enough about going on a date with Callie, but now that the only dates I could have were in our place…

I cared.

We made it work, and Thayer did the best he could, but yeah…Sometimes I really hated it.

Tonight was one of those times.

Standing next to the guys on my team and taking pictures with kids while all their dates were on the other side of the room giggling together–I cared. I cared that even if they knew and if they cared, that Thay would never be standing in that group.

That even if there was no shame around any of this, I was just different from them. I didn’t have a girlfriend who liked going partying and rushing sororities–I had a boyfriend who did the crossword on Sundays and made sure I was in bed by eleven.

And I liked that.

Crowds bugged me, and loud music was awful, but that wasn’t cool for a twenty-one-year-old to think. I was supposed to like flashing lights and thumping music in clubs, but honestly?

I liked being at home with Thayer. I wasn’t upset that we weren’t going to clubs and getting wasted in the middle of the day at Frat parties– I was irritated that I couldn’t even go see a movie with him or get dinner and actually eat it there.

“Kinny!” Carp called out, waving me over to him and a small kid. “Hey, Mattie–this is my friend, Ash. He’s a goalie.”

“Really?” the small child asked, wide-eyed, like I was a superhero. “Why you so small?”

A laugh bubbled out of me before I could actually stop it, surprising Carp enough to flinch. “It’s uh…a lot of padding. I bring the legs, but most of that is padding, so I don’t get hurt,” I explained as kindly as I could.

It was alarming to Carp.

He just kept watching me, expecting some kind of smart-ass comment or irritated look on my face, but I actually like kids. I have cousins this boys' age and was used to talking to them a certain way, but I’d never really have a reason to do so in front of my team.