Page 105 of The Waiting Game

While many fans have been similarly supportive of the relationship, others remain skeptical. Another commented, “Why are they making it sound like they dated in college? Has anyone confirmed this? I feel like Hale’s college girlfriends might have something to say about that.” To which one replied, “Not to mention Brewer’s ex-boyfriends.”

And others have speculated that the announcement is conveniently timed because of their shaky position in the playoffs. “We all know they’re not gonna make it past the first round,” one fan stated. “It’s so obviously phony and just an attempt to distract from how weak the team is.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Hale shared several photos on his social media accounts, from a visit to the Jardin Botanique de Montréal to a cozy lunch at Restaurant Petit Seoul, and ending with a shot of the two in bed together. That final one was captioned, “Pregame nap with Jo before we take on the Montreal Lynx. Go, Cats!”

PR stunt or happily engaged couple? Only time will tell.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The puck slid smoothly off Jonah’s stick and landed smack-dab in the middle of Felix’s tape. His blood pounded in his ears as he deked, swerving left then right around the Montreal player.

Time seemed to stretch and slow as Felix eyed Dustin lurking at the edge of Montreal’s net, jostling with another of their opponents.

Felix held his breath as he looked toward Eric Jensen, firing the puck to Dustin in a no-look pass that he prayed would connect. He whipped his gaze over to Dustin in time to see Dustin capture the puck neatly and slide it around the net before Montreal’s goaltender could blink.

Felix nearly wept at the sound of the goal horn but instead, he whooped in triumph as he skated toward Dustin to celebrate.

They were up, 2-1.

It had been a tight game. A painfully tight game.

It had been scoreless for the first period and a half and by that point they were all playing with teeth gritted, knuckles white on their sticks as they battled to get even a single point.

Colton had managed a filthy goal that would be playing on highlight reels for years.

But Montreal had closed the gap with their own goal just seconds later and they’d been tied up ever since.

With five minutes left in the game almost anything could happen, but this second goal was exactly what the Cats needed.

“Fuck that was a nice one, Haler!” Dustin shouted over the noise of the crowd, hugging him tight.

Felix grinned. “You too!”

A moment later someone crashed into both of them and Felix didn’t even have to see Jonah to know it was him. No one fit just right against him like Jonah.

“God that was a beauty!” Jonah hollered.

“Thanks,” Dustin said with a grin before he slipped away, heading back to the bench.

“I meant your pass,” Jonah said in a low voice and Felix turned to look at him.

Despite the sweat soaking Felix’s uniform and the heat emanating from his body, a chill went through him at the look in Jonah’s eyes.

Because holy shit, had anyone ever looked at him like that?

Had they ever stared at him like they were going to devour him?

It made goosebumps break out on Felix’s skin and he stared at Jonah, drinking in the dark heat of his gaze and the beads of sweat trickling down his temple.

Felix’s jock suddenly felt tight at the mental image of Jonah pinning him down to the bed, moving over him in a sinuous grind …

“Look I know you two just got engaged and all and congrats or whatever, but I don’t want to see anyone fuck on-ice, okay?” someone shouted, breaking Felix from the trance he’d been in.

Felix blinked, glancing over to see Stephen Sanders, one of Montreal’s forwards staring at them, looking impatient.

Felix realized that they were holding up the puck drop and he shot Jonah a sheepish look before he glanced back at Sanders. “Sorry, man.”

Sanders just shook his head and skated away.

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