Page 148 of Goaltender Interference

“No!” Nolan looked horrified. “Why would I want that? I love hockey.”

“I thought—” Connor let out a sigh. “God, I reallyamdumb, aren’t I?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

After way too many big surprises for a single day, Connor hugged his son, hugged Jesse, then went to shower.

Apparently, Nolan had already cleaned up and Jesse had too, so when Connor came downstairs to the basement, he found Jesse stretching on the sofa and Nolan sprawled in the chair, deep in conversation.

Connor paused on the stairs, watching them for a little bit, liking the earnest look on Jesse’s face as he listened to everything Nolan said.

Eventually, Nolan looked up. “Hey, what are you doing hanging out there like a weirdo, Dad?”

He shrugged. “Wasn’t sure if you wanted company or not.”

“Yeah,” Nolan said. “Jesse and I were just talking about stuff.”

“About what happened today?” Connor asked, coming down the last few steps.

Nolan nodded.

“Did you decide anything?” Connor asked.

Connor walked over, pressing a kiss to his son’s head before he took a seat next to Jesse. Jesse wiggled closer, so Connor leaned against Jesse’s shoulder. Jesse reached out, wrapping his arm around Connor’s waist and threading their fingers together.

Nolan’s gaze darted to them, curious and clearly trying to get used to the idea of them together.

“Nols?” Connor prompted.

“Oh, no,” he said, pulling his knees up and resting his chin on them. “Didn’t really make any decisions. Just like … we agreed it’s gonnasucktelling Mom.”

Connor sighed. “Which part?”

“Uhh, all of it?”

Connor winced because he couldn’t deny that. “Probably,” he agreed. “But she already knows about me and Jesse. She doesn’t like it but now she knows. What you tell your mother about your sexuality and you dating Kyler … that’s up to you.”

“Would you tell herforme?” Nolan asked, eyes wide and hopeful.

“If you want, I can,” Connor said slowly. “I’ll be honest though. I don’t know if that’ll make it better or worse.”

Nolan chewed his lip. “True.”

“You don’t have to decide tonight though,” Connor assured him. “You can think about it for a bit.”

“Okay.”

“Now,” Connor said. “I wanna talk about all of this stuff with you but I’mstarving. Are you good with me ordering some food? I’m feeling too tired to cook.”

He’d been in playoff games less exhausting than today had been.

“Please!” Nolan said urgently. “I’msohungry.”

Behind him, Connor could hear Jesse’s chuckle and he craned his neck to look at him. “What about you?”

“Food is good.” Jesse squeezed his hand. “What are you thinking?”

“There’s this place nearby that does some killer lobster mac n cheese and clam chowder.”

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