Page 28 of Goaltender Interference

Connor sighed tiredly, stripping off his street clothing.

There weren’t many GMs who worked out with players but Gavin liked to be a little more involved in the day-to-day stuff than most. Frankly, Connor didn’t mind. He’d had some GMs who were so hands off they felt like they were operating in a different world. They treated players like they were commodities, no different from the facilities or the gear or any other inanimate object.

Gavin liked to get to know the guys.

Besides, anything Connor could do to get Gavin on his side was a positive thing. Connor had fumbled this one.

Only, he’d started to feelbadfor Jesse. Started to think that maybe the kid really did have terrible luck and that he’d meant it when he said he’d be right there. Yeah, that had wound up being bullshit.

Connor changed into workout clothes, then went into the gym. Gavin was already there, dressed in shorts and a tee, cycling.

Connor hopped on a treadmill and did a quick warmup, jogging until sweat began to bead up on his forehead and his muscles felt loose.

He got off the treadmill, nodding at Gavin who slowed and stopped.

“Gonna do some bench presses,” he said. “It’s either that or I strangle the kid when he finally arrives.”

Gavin used his shirt to mop at his sweaty face, showing off his six-pack. Or was that an eight-pack? “I’m definitely starting to see why.”

Connor glanced away. He didn’t wanna find his GM attractive—and he certainly hadn’t had that issue with any of the previous ones—but Gavin’s body put Connor’s to shame.

Connor wasn’tinto himinto him, but he could see the appeal.

He fiddled with the weights until he was sure they were right, then settled on the bench on his back. He’d just positioned his hands on the bar when he heard a cheerful voice.

“Well, damn, two hot guys working out. This is a nice welcome to the team.”

Gavin let out a surprised laugh and Connor closed his eyes, counting to ten before he sat up to stare at Jesse. No, he wasn’t injured. In fact, he looked exactly the way Connor had left him over an hour ago.

“Nice of you to join us,” Connor said tightly. “And for the record, that’s your captain and General Manager you’re talking about.”

Jesse’s eyes widened a fraction of an inch like he hadn’t gotten a clear look at Gavin and realized who he was, before his expression smoothed out. “Well, it’s true. I mean, c’mon.” He gestured between Connor and Gavin.

Gavin chuckled, holding out a hand. “Nice to officially meet you, Webber. We’re going to need to have a talk about your punctuality, but we are glad to have you here in Boston.”

“Thanks! I’m excited to be here.”

Connor narrowed his eyes. “Do you care to explain why you’re so fucking late?”

“Uhh, about that.” Jesse grimaced. “My baby was gone.”

“Your baby?” Connor frowned.

“My Jag! I have an F-type and she got towed.” His face contorted into a tragic expression.

Connor stifled the urge to roll his eyes. The kid desperately needed to get into the real world and figure out that there were far more serious things than an inconvenient tow.

Connor took another deep breath. “Then why didn’t you get a ride share here or something?”

“I did! But at first, I thought it gotstolenand it took a while for the cops to get there and they, uh, weren’t very nice about it when they pointed out the tow zone sign.”

Yeah, Connor could imagine them getting a laugh out of that one.

“Haven’t you had enough fun with law enforcement in the past twenty-four hours?” Connor asked, because he was pissed but therewassomething humorous about the whole situation.

Jesse glared. “This isn’t funny,Connor.”

“It’s hilarious,Webber,” Connor said. “But whatisn’tfunny is you not texting or calling. You should have let me know why you were running late.”

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