Suckerpunch

  “I bet it’s because of the booze,” Seth said.

  Braiden hushed him. “We don’t know that.”

  “I mean, everyone could smell it on him,” Bayer insisted. “It’s not like—”

  But Braiden caught sight of Sasha watching them and quickly silenced Bayer, dragging him away to gossip somewhere else.

  Alex had clearly overheard too, and was giving him a sympathetic grimace. “Look, I need to get out of this gear and shower. Coach will probably be in soon to go over stuff for the game tonight, and I can’t miss that. Just….” He glanced around quickly and lowered his voice. “I love you, and I’m sorry this is happening to your friend. But you can’t blame yourself for his own behavior, okay?”

  Sasha managed a weak smile. “I know.”

  And he did know, logically. There had been little doubt in Sasha’s mind that Eddie would face some serious repercussions for what he’d done back in January, and even preceding that. And Ed had threatened his lover, had tried to get Alex kicked off the team because he was jealous and petty and cruel.

  But he was still Sasha’s brother, and all the wrongdoings in the world couldn’t change that.

  It was the right thing to do, he told himself. And it wasn’t impossible for Ed to get his life back in order, if he truly wanted to. If he got treatment for his alcohol addiction, if he served his sentence, maybe he’d be back on the ice soon. It wouldn’t be in Seattle, but he wouldn’t lose everything.

  Of course, there’s still a chance that Alex does lose everything. Sasha had no idea what the Cascades management was thinking by essentially firing Ed like this. Cautious optimism made him hope that Ed hadn’t told them about Alex being Para after all—though if he hadn’t yet, he absolutely would now. And if he had told them? Maybe they don’t care. Or maybe they’re just waiting for the vote this weekend to decide.

  Conflict raged in Sasha as he dressed automatically, keeping his head down as whispers and theories continued to fly around him. Whatever happened, they still had one more game to play this season. And no matter what went down after that, he’d still have Alex, at least.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Seattle Cascades (@CascadesNHL)

  Game day! Our last matchup of the regular season is versus Kansas City, and it’s do or die for the Cascades tonight.

  MARTIN DUBOIS was the most intimidating man Alex had ever met. His office was all dark wood and gleaming chrome, and the man himself an imposing figure behind an equally imposing desk. He glanced up when Alex appeared in his door and motioned him inside but didn’t hang up the call that he was in the middle of.

  “Absolutely, George. But I don’t think you will get the votes you need for this. Go ahead with the proposal if you’d like, but I have spoken with several other managers and I believe the majority of us are in agreement.”

  Alex closed the door behind him and slid into one of the stiff leather chairs intended for visitors. Dubois was intent on his call, a stack of paperwork in front of him. He lapsed into French briefly, sounding annoyed, but didn’t acknowledge Alex or seem to care that he was present.

  Finally, Dubois made a scoffing noise at the back of his throat. “George, I have only respect for you and for what you are trying to do with this league, but I think you will find that your proposition has some very unexpected consequences.” He paused, and Alex tried not to move or breathe for fear of being noticed. Is he talking to George Heatly? The commissioner of the NHL? “Oui, bien. We will talk more this weekend, then.”

  Dubois disconnected the call and set his phone down, then picked up a pen and wrote something carefully on the sheet before him.

  And then, finally, he straightened and looked up at Alex.

  “Apologies, an unexpected call that I needed to take.”

  “Uh, sure.” Alex twisted his fingers in the fabric of his slacks, nervous. It was scary enough sitting across from Dubois and knowing he was in the presence of a living legend. There were photos on the walls around them, all tastefully framed, showing a younger Dubois hoisting the Stanley Cup, wearing gleaming medals, shaking hands with other famous people.

  But it was even worse knowing that Dubois was his boss. And being summoned to the boss’s office on the last day of the regular season was like being sent to see the principal back in school… though, if Alex was being frank, about a million times worse.

  “There are a few things we need to discuss before the season ends,” Dubois began, “first and foremost of which is your performance over the last three months. Daniel Henrique and I have both been very impressed with your play and your ability to adapt to an NHL pace. I think it’s safe to say that without you stepping up and performing as well as you did, this team would not be in the position it is right now, on the verge of making a postseason appearance.”

  Alex grimaced. He couldn’t help it, but the way Dubois said it made him react instinctively.

  Dubois noticed, however. But instead of getting upset, he simply laughed. “I know, superstition. But I do believe in you, Alexander, and I believe that you’ll win this game tonight and bring us the two points we need. Whether Los Angeles wins… well, that’s outside our control. But I have faith in your ability to help this team succeed.”

  That was comforting, at least. I can sense a but coming on, though.

  As though reading his mind, Dubois’s good mood vanished. “But,” he said, “there are some… other factors, shall we say, which I believe need to be addressed.”

  The words were innocent enough, but Dubois’s tone was weighted and careful, and his eyes were fixed on Alex as though he were studying a specimen in a glass jar. It was enough to make Alex want to squirm, or at least yank his eyes away from Dubois’s intimidating stare.

  Heat burst at the base of his neck, spreading down his spine. Sasha. The sensation of support and love was enough to help Alex find courage. He straightened in his chair and took a deep breath.

  “I’m not sure what factors you want to address here,” he said carefully. “I think my play speaks for itself. Any problems that might have existed in the locker room have been resolved, and I think I bring a lot to the team and the locker room. But I also believe I’m good enough to play anywhere in the NHL… or in other leagues, if a situation were to arise that would prevent me from playing in the NHL. As my teammates Sasha and Shawn pointed out, the Swedish league is excellent.”

  Because he was watching for it, he could see the moment understanding passed over Dubois’s face. It was a slight widening of the eyes and then a calculated stare that was equal parts surprise and approval.

  “I thought that might be the case.” Dubois picked up his pen and shuffled through the stack of papers in front of him, finally retrieving a few pages that were clipped together. “The NHL has changed since I was a player. It’s gotten faster, more centered on skill than size. I’ve seen rules come and go, and had the genuine privilege of helping to shape this team and the league around it as the game evolved. But there are also some things about the sport that I believe shouldn’t change and shouldn’t be allowed.”

  Alex’s courage, which had been rock solid at the beginning of his speech, began to fracture. He dug his nails into the palms of his hands, waiting, and not even Sasha’s soothing warmth could make him relax. Dubois paused, glancing over the pages in front of him.

  “Mr. Dubois,” Alex said. “I’m not sure what Ed Despres told you, but—”

  Dubois held one hand up, the universal sign for wait. “Mr. Despres is no longer affiliated with this franchise. And what he may or may not have told me before we parted ways is irrelevant. However, you are still affiliated with the Cascades, and that’s a state we’d like to maintain for next season.”

  It took Alex far longer than he’d like to admit to understand what Dubois had just said. “Wait, what? Are you saying I’m not fired?”

  To his credit, Dubois looked genuinely startled by the question. “Fired? Why would we fire the best goalie this team has? We’ve worked to
develop you in Portland for the last three years, and I think all of our scouting and coaching staff will agree that you’re a vital piece to the future of this team.”

  “But…. Despres….”

  “As I said before, there is no reason for Mr. Despres to be brought up in this conversation. We evaluated all of the options for our team and determined that you represent our best chance for success.” Dubois set the papers down and slid them across the desk. “We’d like you to join the Cascades full-time next season. And for this postseason as well, of course.”

  Alex opened his mouth, glanced down at the papers before him, and closed it.

  It was a contract. A standard contract with the usual boilerplate language, like he’d seen half a dozen times before in his career. But this was a one-way deal, one year, a chance to prove himself in the NHL and show them what he could really do. And the number listed had… a lot of zeroes on it.

  “Obviously you’ll want to talk to your agent,” Dubois continued, “but I think this is a more than generous option for a trial contract. Matthias has expressed an interest in finishing his career here in Seattle, and we think his veteran presence will help you grow over the next year as he backs you up.”

  As he backs me up? Alex froze. “You want me as the starter?”

  “For most of the season, yes. Obviously Coach Henrique will evaluate as he sees fit, and it may be closer to a 50-50 or 60-40 split, at least to start.” Dubois settled back in his chair. “No need to decide now, of course. We have one more game to get through and then hopefully playoffs as well, but—”

  “Yes.”

  Dubois looked a little put out over the interruption, and Alex flushed.

  “Sorry, sir,” he said. “I just meant—well, yes. I’m honored that you’re giving me this opportunity, and I, um, am definitely interested.”

  Once the surprise had worn off, Dubois looked more amused than anything else. “Excellent. We’ll talk again soon, then, Alexander. Thank you.”

  Alex shook his hand when it was offered, collected the paperwork, and stood to head to the door.

  Dubois’s voice stopped him. “Alex.”

  Alex turned around, one hand on the doorknob.

  “The league has changed a lot since I was a player, but some things haven’t changed at all. I’m really pleased to welcome you to this team.”

  He tilted his head, eyes gleaming strangely in the light of his desk lamp, and smiled when their gaze met.

  “Thank you, sir,” Alex said, nodding, and slipped out of the office.

  Ellen DeSmith (@EllenDeSmithESPN)

  Word trickling down the grapevine that several team managers are now opposed to Saturday’s vote on introducing genetic testing for all players. Hearing that tensions are rising as GMs call for the vote to be removed from the agenda.

  “HOLY SHIT, Sasha.”

  Sasha glanced down at the man burrowed into his arms, apparently uncaring that they were both covered in sweat and thick layers of padding. Forty minutes down, twenty minutes to go, and the Cascades were up 1-0 on Kansas City. And Alex was trembling against him, part adrenaline and part excitement.

  “That goal, oh my god,” Alex said.

  Sasha laughed, grabbing Alex’s mask from where it was perched on top of his head and pulling it away so he could tilt the younger man’s face up and kiss him.

  They were in a back hallway, but the rumble of the crowd was still audible… as was the sound of their teammates only just around the corner, heading back to the locker room for the intermission. It was probably stupid to be here, where anyone could walk by and find them, but Sasha couldn’t bring himself to care right then.

  Alex kissed him back, hard and energetic, more a tangle of lips and tongue than anything elegant enough to really be called a proper kiss. He was laughing too, and his eyes were shining.

  When Sasha had found him before the game, Alex had been glowing with excitement. The weight of the last couple of weeks had been gone entirely, replaced by a combination of relief, joy, and optimism. It was the same look he still had now, hours later, and Sasha couldn’t resist kissing him again and again, feeding off their shared happiness.

  “Hey, losers.” Shawn turned the corner, laughing as they jerked apart. “This is why I volunteered to find you. You guys couldn’t even wait until the game was over?”

  Sasha tucked Alex’s head beneath his chin so he could glare at his line mate. “What do you want?”

  “Coach wants a meeting.”

  It was early enough in the intermission to be unusual, but Shawn didn’t seem concerned. Normally the team had about half of the fifteen or so minutes in the locker room to change clothes, hydrate, do whatever they might need to do. Then Coach Rico would come out and go over strategy for the rest of the game. But Sasha had been tracking the time in the back of his head since the moment he and Alex slipped away, and he knew it had only been a couple of minutes that they’d been gone.

  Still….

  Alex gave him another kiss without prompting, still smiling brightly, then pulled back to walk over to Shawn—who dragged him over and ruffled his sweaty hair.

  The rest of the team was loosely gathered around when they walked in, and Coach launched right into it.

  “LA was playing in Colorado tonight,” he said. “Their game just ended. They lost.”

  Excitement filled the room like a dull roar. Everyone knew what that meant: Los Angeles had been the only team standing between Seattle and the last remaining wildcard spot. With tonight’s loss, they were one point ahead of the Cascades in the standings… unless Seattle could capture a win, and the two points necessary to pass them and take the last playoff spot.

  Coach waited them out, then continued. “The last two periods were good, but I think we can do better. Thanks to Petrov, we have a narrow lead right now, but Kansas City’s defense is cutting us off in the neutral zone.”

  Sasha accepted the shouts of support and high-fives directed his way, then glanced to Alex. Alex’s eyes were narrowed, his lips quirked into a teasing smile that clearly said he was going to reward Sasha with more than a high-five later that night.

  “So here’s what we’re going to do in the third.”

  Using a whiteboard, Coach diagramed a couple of plays, some weaknesses in the Kansas defense that he thought they could work around, ways to keep the puck out of their own zone as much as possible.

  “Any questions?”

  No one answered.

  “All right.” Rico capped his marker, then crossed his arms and looked out across the room. “However tonight ends, I want you to know that I’m proud of each and every one of you. The second half of the season wasn’t what we expected, but we managed to hang in there, thanks to Matty’s and Alex’s hard work. And I know some troubling news may have come out yesterday, but I heard from Martin earlier today that we have a new goalie to welcome to the team next season.”

  Alex ducked his head when Carts and Bayer piled on him.

  Coach nodded approvingly. “So I want you to go out there and give it everything you’ve got. Let’s win this!”

  Shouts and cheers filled the room as everyone jumped to their feet. There were twenty minutes left to play, and it was obvious that Kansas City had no idea how much determination and desperation they were about to go up against. Everywhere he looked, Sasha could see excitement building, and pride.

  This is my team.

  There would always be an empty spot in the room where Eddie should have been, but it wasn’t as sharp and painful as it had been in January, when he’d first walked into the locker room and felt that gaping hole keenly. Now, when he looked at the goalie stall in the corner, the ache was buried beneath feelings of love and joy.

  As though sensing Sasha’s eyes on him, Alex glanced up from where he was retying a leg pad. Sasha grinned at Alex, channeling every bit of pride and love that he could into the look, and felt it returned to him with a burst of sunshine.

  There was no way to know if the
y were going to make playoffs or win the Stanley Cup. Hell, they didn’t even know how Saturday’s vote was going to go—though Alex seemed hopeful enough. But whatever happened, he had his team, and he had Alex, and that was everything he could ever hope for.

  More from Elyse Springer

  After three winters in Antarctica, Simon Bancroft is an old hand on the ice. The harsh weather and extreme isolation aren’t for everyone, but he enjoys the tight-knit community at McMurdo Station… and lately he’s enjoyed watching the hot new researcher, Asher Delaney, who’s recently arrived to study the aurora. But Simon’s just a janitor. Asher doesn’t even know he exists.

  When Simon’s friends propose a wager, he gets a chance to introduce himself to Asher at last. But Asher defies all of Simon’s assumptions, and suddenly he finds himself reevaluating everything he thought he knew about Asher, himself, and falling in love at the bottom of the world.

  ELYSE SPRINGER is an author and world traveler whose unique life experiences have helped to shape the stories she wants to tell. She writes romances with LGBTQIA+ characters and relationships, and believes that every person deserves a Happily Ever After. Her asexual F/F romance Thaw was an Amazon #1 Bestseller. When she’s not staring futilely at her computer screen, Elyse spends her time adding stamps to her passport, catching up on her terrifying TBR list, and learning to be a better adult.

  You can find Elyse online at:

  Website: elspringer.com

  Twitter: @ElyseSpringer

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/elysespringerwrites

  By Elyse Springer

  World Turned Upside Down

  HOCKEY GODS AND MONSTERS

  Suckerpunch

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS