Page 110 of Goaltender Interference

“I know, but Biscuit’s not here. He lives at the boarding stable.”

Jesse glanced around, nodding. “Yeah, there’s not much space for a horse here, huh? Do you think we could sneak him in the basement? Set up a stall there?”

Evie giggled and Maura joined in and then they were all laughing and Connor had to stop himself from reaching out to grab Jesse and kiss him senseless.

Why did he have to be so damn great with the kids? It would be so much easier if he wasn’t.

Those thoughts played like a refrain through Connor’s head as he got the girls settled in bed. They demanded Jesse be there for bedtime stories and Connor sternly tried to tell his heart to behave when Jesse kissed Maura’s forehead and tucked her in.

But the damn thing didn’t want to listen.

After, Jesse, Connor, and Nolan went down to the basement and watched a bit of a hockey game between St. Louis and Chicago. As soon as it was over, Connor reminded his son it was time for bed.

He went, but before he did, he stopped in front of Jesse, who’d been stretching on the floor. “Um, thanks for everything earlier.”

“Yeah, any time.” Jesse rose to his feet and hugged Nolan. “You’ve got this. And keep me updated.”

“Thanks. I will.” Nolan shot him a fleeting smile, then disappeared upstairs.

Connor stared, open-mouthed. “What the hell was that?” he asked after they could no longer hear Nolan moving around.

Jesse shrugged. “Guy stuff.”

“Guy stuff?” Connor sputtered. “I’m a guy! What did you talk about? Why didn’t he come to me?”

“Connor,” Jesse said, walking over and taking a seat beside his legs, which were stretched out on the ottoman. “Nolan came to me in confidence about something.”

Connor opened his mouth to protest but Jesse held up a hand.

“No. Hear me out. It’s nothing dangerous. He’s not in trouble. He’s just dealing with some normal teenage stuff and wanted my advice. I told him I don’t like keeping secrets from you but that I would respect his privacy. I swear, if it was something I thought would get him hurt or in trouble, I’d break that confidence but it’snot. Let him come to you if and when he’s ready.”

Connor snapped his mouth shut and stared at Jesse because … holy fuck. He wasn’t just surprised Nolan had come to Jesse first, though that was a shock. But the way Jesse talked, how mature and responsible he seemed, how careful he was, how good he was with his son … he hadn’t expected any of that.

But maybe he should have. There was a lot more to Jesse than Connor had realized at first.

“I …” Connor said, then sighed, deflating. “Okay. I trust you.”

Jesse smiled, settling a hand on his thigh. “Do you?”

“Yeah,” Connor said honestly. “I really do. And thank you for being there for Nolan when he needed someone.”

It stung, knowing his son didn’t wanna talk to him about whatever this was. They’d always talked about everything. Connor didn’t have a clue what it could be but if this was what Nolan wanted—what heneeded—Connor would have to let Nolan come to him in his own time.

And really, there were far, far worse people Nolan could turn to. Although … “It wasn’t sex advice, right?”

“What happened to trusting me?”

“I do, I just wanna be sure my son isn’t looking for tips on how to have a threesome or something.”

Jesse made a face. “I wouldn’t give him advice on that. Not until he’s a bit older anyway.”

Connor snorted. “Well, that’s something.”

“He’s a good kid, Connor. You should be proud of him.”

“I am.”

“Well, make sure he knows.”

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