Best Of Both Worlds (Colorado Black Diamonds #4)

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

GRAHAM

Marcus

Team picnic at 3 sharp. I expect to see you all there

Bode

Coach said it wasn’t required

Marcus

It is for us. You’re the alternate captain. I expect you—all of you—to be there

Jasper

Keep it in your pants for a night, Bode

Bode

I’m offended you think I can’t

Graham

It’s only because we know you

Dax

I’m surprised the thing hasn’t fallen off

Noah

I don’t feel like I know you well enough yet to have a comment on this

Bode

I’m not a playboy like they’re leading you to believe

Marcus

Thanks for the laugh, Bode. I needed it

Bode

Asshole

Dax

Just show up on time and maybe don’t bring your date

Bode

When was the last time I ever brought a date to one of these things?

Noah

Shit. Are we supposed to bring someone?

Marcus

Just bring your new roomie. Assuming you two haven’t killed one another by then

Hey!

Noah

Fuck you, man

We’re getting along great

Marcus

I’ll need to see it to believe it

Noah

We played video games the other night

Jasper

True male bonding

Bode

Remind me never to get a roommate.

Marcus

You could use one to rein you in

Bode

See if I show up tonight

Dax

If you don’t show up and Coach makes us run suicides, I’ll be pissed

Bode

Ugh, fine. You big baby. And you could use some more training if you can’t do suicides

Dax

Fuck off

Marcus

And I’m out. I can’t handle you guys when you’re like this

Noah

Are they always like this?

Anyone?

“ I ’m assuming they’re always like this if no one will answer me?” Noah asks, walking out of his room and into the living room. He’s in a pair of loose-fitting jeans and a Knights pullover.

“I’d like to say no they’re not, but they are.” I laugh.

“Kind of makes me feel at home.”

“Really?”

Reaching into the fridge, I grab a bottle of water and take a quick glug. Looking at him, I hold mine up, asking if he wants one.

Noah nods. “Thanks. It’s just like the guys at home. Makes me feel like I’m finally part of the team.”

“We’re lucky to have you.”

“You don’t have to be nice now that we’re living together.”

I bark out a laugh, grabbing my hat off the counter. “I’m not. Trust me.”

“Really?” Noah quirks an eyebrow in my direction.

“Are you going to make me say it?”

“Well, now I have to hear this.”

“Ugh. I hate you,” I groan. “I guess you’re not as bad as I thought you were.”

A look of shock washes over Noah’s face. “Wow. Here I thought I’d never change your mind about me.”

“You were kind of a cocky asshole when you started.”

“I was not!” Noah looks affronted. “Just because you don’t have my raw, natural talent.”

“I take it back. You’re still just as bad.”

Noah holds his hands up in defense. “Kidding.”

“I remember wanting to play with you so bad when you came home from college, but whenever I texted, you were always busy. I felt like a pest you were trying to blow off. I guess I thought you were this ass who didn’t want to be around his dad’s friend’s kid.”

“Really? You know I would never have actually blown you off. I was just busy with my own schedule.”

I laugh. “I know that now . It was hard as a middle schooler to realize it. Hockey takes up your entire life.”

Noah nods in agreement. “It really does.”

“And I guess I could never really separate you from that time.”

Noah holds out his hand for me. “Then I guess I’m glad we’re friends now.”

I point a finger at him. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“I’ll try not to. Now, are we going to this barbecue or what?”

By the time we make it to the farm where the party is being hosted, it’s hopping. Everyone from the team is here. Guys I’ve been skating with since I started here and a few rookies who were drafted this year.

Executives from the front office came. Some I recognize, some I don’t.

The sprawling field is bustling with activity. There’s face painting, a bounce house, a petting zoo, plus an ice cream truck and a full bar and buffet with more food than I could ever imagine.

Guys are standing around chatting with loved ones as kids run around, laughing and screaming.

“Damn. The Knights go all out,” Noah says from his spot next to me.

I shake my head. “This is the first year they’ve done anything like this.”

“Really? I wonder why now.”

I nod, pointing toward the bar to lead us to get a drink. “I think Coach Andrews is really trying to change the environment of the team.”

Noah and I each grab a beer and hang out toward the side of the crowd. “How was it under the old coach? I don’t know if I’ve ever asked.”

“Different. He only cared about wins and losses, and even then, not that much. Didn’t really encourage a team atmosphere. He was on his way out and really didn’t give a shit.”

“Wow.” Noah cracks open his beer and takes a sip. “I don’t know if I would have lasted playing under someone like that.”

“It sucked. So if Coach Andrews wants to do something like this to increase team morale, I’m all for it.”

“Even with me?” Noah elbows me in the side.

I turn and study him. I don’t know why I ever thought he was the dickhead I painted him to be. Maybe I was just jealous of him and his talent and that I had to work harder to achieve everything I’ve gotten. This Noah—the one I’m getting to know—could be someone I’m friends with.

Real, actual friends with.

“You’re not so bad.” I laugh.

“Ringing endorsement, Flounder.”

“Damn. I never thought I’d see the two of you being cordial.”

I snort over my beer as Bode sidles up to the two of us.

“I never thought I’d see the day when you didn’t have a date on your arm,” I fire back at him.

“You wish you were me, Flounder.” He gives me a smarmy grin. “I clean up with the ladies. You could take a page from my playbook.”

“No, thanks,” I tell him.

“You don’t have anyone special?” Noah asks, casual as ever with a pair of dark sunglasses covering his eyes.

“Have you seen me bring anyone around?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean you don’t go to their place.”

I shrug a shoulder. “No. My main focus is hockey. There will be plenty of time to settle down.”

“God. Listen to you two.” Bode winces. “I’ll be six feet under when I settle down. I can’t even look at you right now.”

He goes off to find other guys as Marcus and Jasper take his place.

“How goes the living situation?” Jasper asks, looking out across the farm. “You two getting along?”

“We’re good,” we answer at the same time.

“Damn. You two really are getting along,” Marcus tells us. “If you two had us doing any extra drills, I would’ve forced you into a room until you kissed and made up.”

“What a captain you are, Marcus.” Noah is laughing, but Marcus’s words have a weird feeling washing over me.

What that feeling is, I can’t exactly pinpoint.

“You bring the girls?” Noah asks Marcus.

“They’re around here somewhere with my mom. No doubt inciting mayhem.”

“I don’t know how you do it,” Noah tells him. “I know I couldn’t.”

“It’s because you’re a kid most days yourself,” I tell him.

“Dick!” But Noah doesn’t mean it if the grin on his face is anything to go by.

“Not all it’s cracked up to be,” I hear Marcus mutter as the conversation continues around me. I still can’t shake that weird feeling at his earlier words as he, Jasper, and Noah go meet up with some of the other guys.

Leaving me to my wayward thoughts.

Thoughts that I have no idea where they’re coming from. Kissing and making up with Noah? Why is my brain latching on to the kissing part? With Noah?

A man.

Draining the last sips of my beer, I drop the empty can into a bin and grab another.

Get a grip , I tell myself.

Maybe it’s the heat that’s getting to me. It’s a nice day, you idiot.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting to know him better. That has to be it. That I like the guy. As a teammate. And my roommate.

That’s it. Nothing else.

Taking a cool sip of a fresh beer helps to calm the buzzing flowing inside of me. The only thing I need to be worried about—focusing on—is hockey. That’s it.

That’s how it’s always been.

I’m not like Bode who takes someone new to bed every chance he can get. That’s not me and it’s never been me.

Glancing around, I see my assistant defensive coach. Except what I see next stops me in my tracks. Someone else walks up to him and gives him a kiss.

Husband? Boyfriend? Partner?

I don’t know who this person is to him, but now it’s taking those earlier feelings and throwing gasoline on them. I shouldn’t be staring, but I can’t tear my eyes from them. From the tender way he holds him to the soft look in his eyes. They’re pressed close together, not caring that anyone here could see them.

I don’t know why I can’t look away.

Fuck. Fuck.

When they break apart, Mickey looks my way.

“Graham.”

“Hey, Coach.” I throw an awkward hand in the air. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to stare.”

I walk over toward him and extend a hand to him.

“Darren, this is?—”

The man with him, a shorter man with dark hair, gives me a big smile. “I know exactly who this is. I’m a big fan of your mom.”

I return his smile. “I am too.”

“It’s not every day a woman wins a few Super Bowls as a head coach.”

I sip my beer, thankful this man cut the tension that was going to swallow me whole. “She is pretty badass.”

“No disrespect to your dad,” Mickey tells me. He’s a taller, more fit version of his husband—I now see the glinting band on his ring finger. “He was a great player, but we love seeing the underdog succeed.”

“He’ll be the first to tell you that she deserves all the praise over him any day.”

It’s how it’s always been. My parents have one of the best relationships I’ve ever witnessed. Their love story is a thing of beauty, and it’s why I always focused on hockey. Seeing how much they love each other always made me want that.

I never wanted to settle for anything less than what they had. It was always easier to focus on what I could control, like hockey. I couldn’t do hockey and a relationship, so I took the easier option.

“I could stand here and gush over your mom all day. Breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, but I’m sure you’ve heard it all,” Darren tells me. “It really was nice to meet you, though. I don’t meet a lot of Mickey’s players.”

I hold out my hand for him to shake. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m glad Coach Andrews organized this.”

Mickey nods. “I think he’s going to bring some big changes to Nashville.”

“I feel it too,” I agree. “All I want is to be part of a winning organization.”

It’s not a lie. No player grows up dreaming about being a part of the league’s worst team. Having had a front-row seat to the Mountain Lions’ greatness growing up, I didn’t want anything less.

So when I was drafted by the Knights, it wasn’t the best situation. But I couldn’t complain. Not when I was living out my dream.

“We don’t want to keep you,” Darren interrupts my thoughts. “But it was wonderful to meet you.”

“Yeah. You too.”

I wave at them as they link hands and head off into the party.

Once again, leaving me with these swirling thoughts that I have no idea what to do with.