The Last Buzzer (SCU Hockey #5)

by J.J. Mulder

Being friends with Nate required a bit of a learning curve on my part, but I’m at the point now where I not only enjoy but crave the affection he hands out.

Of course he’s the assistant coach hire. Of-fucking-course. I’m going to have to look at him all season, and try not to be awkward or blush or say something embarrassing about how handsome he is. Might as well kill me now.

“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?

“I don’t care about making you a better goalie,” he says firmly. “I care that you make yourself sick with nerves before games. I care about the fact that you think you’re a bad goalie, when I’ve got hours of video, statistics, and my own two eyes that prove otherwise.”

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.

Nigel St. James is a semi-regular face around here, a fact which makes Vas particularly happy. The pair of them chat in French while the rest of us moon over how romantic and lovely it sounds.

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.

I stare at the television, Desmond’s head lying back on my arm, hair tickling my skin; Parker’s bony shoulder digging into my bicep. I think this must be what it feels like to be part of a family.

I want to be awake when he drifts off. When his breathing evens, and all remaining tension bleeds from his limbs. I want to create so many new, warm, safe memories that I never have to think about the bad ones again.