Page 96 of Pucking Amazing

“Fuck yeah!” I scream.

We manage to hold on to the lead until the buzzer sounds. I slam into Tyler, crushing him to me in a fierce hug.

“You were incredible,” I murmur into his neck.

But he’s stiff in my arms, shrinking from the cheers and stick taps. I can feel the tension still coiled within him, the demons still not conquered. Well, it’s not as if one night of opening up is going to undo a lifetime of abuse from Ty’s asshole brother.

As we head down the tunnel, I vow to myself: I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to Ty how amazing he is, to heal the wounds his dickhead brother left.

To show him he deserves every ounce of love, on and off the ice.

CHAPTER 33

TYLER

Tonight, I’m supposed to be at a team-wide dinner with our owners, a celebration of the start of our playoffs run. Compulsory fun that will be fun for no one. But before I can even start getting ready for it, there’s a knock on my apartment door.

Huh, I’m not expecting anyone.

I open the door, only to discover Sydney and DJ standing on the other side, both wearing playful grins and outfits that are absolutely too casual for dinner with our billionaire overlords.

“We have something for you,” Sydney says coyly, brushing past me and into the apartment.

DJ holds up an envelope between two fingers and saunters past me as well. I grab it from him and rip it open, intrigued.

Holy shit.

I stare at the glossy Bulls/Lakers tickets in my hands, blinking back surprise and sudden emotion as a lump forms in my throat. Sydney and DJ watch me with eager smiles, her eyes sparkling and his lips curving up in that signature cocky grin.

“Happy playoffs, baby,” DJ drawls, giving my ass a quick squeeze. “We know you’ve been dying to see the Lakers.”

“And now you finally can, with us,” Sydney adds warmly, her delicate hand resting on my arm. “A night away from hockey to just enjoy ourselves.”

I swallow hard, overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness. They know how much this means to me. With the demands of my own career, I’ve never managed to catch the Lakers when they’re in town, despite being a diehard fan for years. But it’s more than just the tickets.

It’s Syd and DJ showing up for me, supporting me, during the nerve-wracking emotional rollercoaster of playoffs. Despite my self-doubts and the team’s toxic crap, these two amazing people have my back.

“But the team dinner?” I ask, looking between them.

Sydney shrugs. “I told Coach Daniels you needed a night off of team obligations to de-stress. He took my counsel seriously.”

“I—this is incredible. Thank you both so much,” I stammer, my tongue tripping over the words. “Really, I’m so grateful?—”

“Then show us your gratitude, stud,” DJ interrupts with a wicked smirk. He nods toward my bedroom. “Go get that sexy ass changed so we can grab drinks and dinner before tip-off.”

Sydney laughs and gives me a gentle shove. “You heard the man. Hurry up, hot stuff!”

As I head to my room to change, tickets clutched to my chest, a huge grin spreads across my face. Damn, how did I get so lucky?

I find myself sandwiched between Sydney and DJ in a dimly lit cocktail lounge, their warm thighs pressed snugly against mine. Syd’s hand wanders teasingly up my leg, her fingertips grazing over the growing bulge in my pants before disappearing just as quickly. DJ’s fingers trail along my other thigh, tracing circles that inch higher and higher.

They’re making it hard to focus on the light, flirty conversation bouncing between us.

“So, Tyler, how’s it feel juggling a polyamorous relationship?” Sydney asks, her voice a seductive purr in my ear. “Must be a lot of...pressure.”

“Oh, he can handle the pressure,” DJ chimes in with a smirk. “Our boy’s got talented hands. Among other things.”

I nearly choke on my whiskey. “You guys are relentless.”

---