The Last Buzzer (SCU Hockey #5)

by J.J. Mulder

“You’re not that old, sir. And I’m not that young.” “You can just call me Nico. And I am old enough to know that you are still young,” he says sternly, which somehow startles another laugh from me.

“Is this an entire album of pictures of your boyfriend?” I ask. “Yeah!” “Are you in any of these?” He frowns, evidently thinking hard. “There are a couple selfies in there. But the star of the show is Marcos. I mean”—he pulls the phone out of my hand and looks at the picture I’d landed on—“look at him! Babe. Total babe.”

“Moved here over the summer from Australia,” he answers, which is super great for me. Go ahead and give the sexiest man I’ve ever seen the sexiest accent. Why the fuck not?

“Oh, but, sir, I am thinking there are better choices than me,” Vas says immediately, which only makes everyone laugh harder. “There’s really not,” someone puts in, earning another round of agreement. “Well,” Vas says, looking embarrassed. “Thank you. I will try my best.” Coach Mackenzie is fighting a losing battle with another smile.

“Well, I don’t want to date him. I just—I just want to look at him.” Nate tips his head back and laughs as if this is the funniest thing he’s heard all day. “Okay, fair. Can you imagine, though, what would happen if you did try and date him? Coach Mackenzie would kill him, I swear he would. He’s got that mama bear energy.”

“Jacko, this is Parks.” I hook a thumb toward the back, waiting for Jack’s seat belt to click into place before getting us back onto the road. His washing bag is squished between his legs, resting on the floorboards. “He’s not my dad, though. Desmond is my uncle,” Parker adds quickly, a somewhat mean tone to his voice. “My parents are dead.”

Parker fists a hand into my shirt. “Are you leaving?” he asks. “Just getting the shopping.” He chews on his lip, glancing at Jack’s back as he fiddles with the washer. I can’t help but laugh. “Parks, buddy, it was your idea to let him come over.” “Well, yeah, but…but I’m coming with you to get the groceries. You shouldn’t leave me alone with a stranger. I’m nine.”

“Are you married?” Parker asks. “No,” Nico says at the same time Anthony replies, “Not yet.”

Jack Oh, right. So you think it’s fine that I hang out with Desmond? Nate I don’t see why not, unless you’re planning on fornicating in the park. Jack Why would you say that to me when you know I’m going to be picturing that now? It’s like you WANT me to act embarrassing.

“I know. I wanted to though. I like getting people presents,” he admits. The words make me sad, knowing how little money he has and the fact that he chose to spend some of it on my kid.

We all love Vas, and I’m no exception to that rule. It’s possible I love him a little more than the others, if only because he works so hard to help me when I’m feeling rotten.

“Well…Jack likes you,” he says. “He gets really red when you talk to him. And he laughs at all your jokes, even when they’re really stupid.” “He’s not my boyfriend,” I repeat, choosing to ignore that crack about my jokes. I tell phenomenal jokes. “Fine,” Parker agrees, although he does so in a tone that heavily implies he’s only agreeing with me to end the conversation. “But he should be. I like him, and we could all live together like Nico and Anthony and Drou do. Jack and I could play Minecraft, like, every single night.”

“I know you’re not messing with me, but it also feels like you might be messing with me,” he says. I shake my head. “Not a chance.” “I’m not still asleep, am I? Because I went to bed sniffing your pillow and thinking some thoughts that are pretty on par with this conversation,” he admits, grinning shyly.

“Micky, I am happy to see you! We are missing you.” “I miss you, too,” I mumble, blushing. I really do, too. Behind Nate, Vas is—was—my favorite member of the team. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met.

When Carter notices us, his stern expression is clear even from across the ice. He looks pissed. Vas beams. “He is happy to see us!” he exclaims, which has Lawson tipping his head back and laughing.

“You look amazing,” I tell him, in an apparent fit of bravery. It lasts only as long as it takes for my face to flush with heat. Desmond smiles, pulling the vehicle away from the curb.

I like the fantasy of having sex, but I don’t want that so much as I want what we have right now. Intimacy of a different sort, perhaps, and more precious to me.

“I don’t think I’d like doing most things. And I’m not sure I’m ready to try.” “Okay,” Desmond agrees likes it’s not a big deal at all, the easy acceptance of me. “Then we won’t.” I think about it for a second before adding, “I might like to kiss you one day, though.” “Okay,” he repeats. I don’t have to look at his face to know he’s smiling.

It’s endearing how shy and tentative he is, even about contact as gentle as this. The truth is, all I’ve ever wanted or needed from a partner is a tender, quiet sort of love. Love that looks like this—helping with chores that aren’t his to do, and touching meant to soothe, nothing more.

Admitting defeat, I go to my recent calls—which is almost entirely made up of calls to Nate—and press his name. He answers on the first ring, because I’m predictable and he knows exactly what he was doing. “Don’t say it,” I warn him, because I’m pretty sure hearing the words Daddy Desmond will send me into anaphylactic shock.

“I’m an independent man, Micky Mouse. I can go to bed without a kiss goodnight.” “Can you?” I ask, amused. “Dude, no. I don’t want to be an independent man, I want Marcos to put a ring on it.”

“You don’t think Parker will mind?” he asks quietly. I almost laugh. “Oh no. He’ll be glad to see we’re no longer ‘being weird.’ Apparently, you and I have been boyfriends for a long time, and it was strange for us not to be sleeping together.”

And that is my cue to bail, I think, edging away and walking over to Parker. He sees me coming and smiles. “You’re super red,” he comments, glancing behind me. “Is Desmond yelling at the aquarium people?” “Yeah. He’s a little scary,” I tell him, making him snort. “When we get home he’s probably going to donate money to, like, fish lovers international or something.”