Page 78 of Game On

On Brawsiski’s other side, Lin grunted from across the aisle. “Welcome to Vancouver.”

“Where do you live?” Jamie asked him.

“In a basement apartment in Burnaby.”

“They’re called basement suites in BC,” Brawsiski pointed out.

Lin shrugged. “Whatever. Either way, the house is owned by the friend of a family friend, so I got a massive discount on the rent.”

“What about you?” Jamie asked Brawsiski. “Wait, you’ve got your own place, right? Coach Shore said you offered me your spare room when I arrived.”

“I’m in East Van.” Brawsiski tilted his head back against the seat. “I’ve got a townhouse near the Fraser River. I came into an inheritance when my grandparents passed. It was the only way I ever would’ve been able to afford it. The room’s still yours if you want it, by the way.”

“I appreciate it. Really. But I was hoping for my own space.”

“Why don’t you move into our guest house?” Archie said from behind them. He’d half popped out of his seat and hung over the back of Jamie’s.

“I couldn’t do that,” Jamie protested, remembering this had also been one of his options for accommodations when he’d arrived. “It’s your guest house. Shouldn’t you keep it for... guests?”

“My wife and I have been talking for a long time about renting it out.” Archie clutched the back of Jamie’s seat as the bus went over a speed bump. “Right now, the only person who uses it is my mother-in-law. She doesn’t like to stay in the main house when she visits—she’s not a morning person, and she hates when the kids wake her up before sunrise. If you’re there, she’ll visit less.” He gripped Jamie’s shoulder, eyes pleading. “Please move in so she can visit less.”

Jamie chuckled, his heart lifting. “If you’re sure...”

“You don’t even know. Why don’t you come by on the weekend? Meet my wife and kids. Take a look at the place. We can talk rent, make sure it’s within your budget. It’s not a huge place, but it’s got a bedroom, a bathroom, a small sitting room, and an even smaller kitchen.”

Jamie would not only get his own place, but he’d get his own place on the same property as a family? Honestly, it was everything he could’ve asked for. “You’ll be lucky if I ever move out.”

Archie smiled, showing off large front teeth that somehow fit in his oversized face, which fit on his oversized body. “Come see the house first. See if you like it.”

“Can I have a dog?”

“Sure.” Archie shrugged. “We’ve got two of them. And a cat, but she hates everyone except my youngest.”

His own place, a family, and pets?

He’d just won the fucking lottery.

When they arrived at the hotel, Coach Shore caught up to him in the lobby. “Nice game tonight, Jamieson.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

“Join me for a minute.” Shore tipped his head toward the lobby’s seating area.

Jamie had only a few seconds to wonder if he’d done something wrong before they sat on adjacent armchairs and Shore said, “I’ve been meaning to check in for a while. How are you settling in?”

“Good.” Leaning forward, Jamie clasped his hands between his knees. “Everyone’s been great, and—from my perspective, at least—it feels like I’ve always been here.”

“It does. You fit right in, and that’s exactly what I wanted for you.” Coach’s expression didn’t change, yet somehow, laugh lines deepened around his eyes. “I missed brunch on Sunday, but I heard a rumour that Dorian’s not mad at you anymore.”

“Uh...” Jamie squirmed. “No. All good there.”

“If anyone gives you a hard time about that—or anything else—you come to me.”

Jamie groaned. “Guess I don’t have to ask if you’ve heard about what went on in Charlotte.” Did everyone in hockey know about that?

Ugh.

“The hockey world’s a small one. People talk. Your coach should’ve put a stop to it as soon as it started.”

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