Page 29 of Goaltender Interference

“I knew you’d yell at me,” Jesse muttered. “It was too early for that shit.”

Gavin’s lips tightened into a narrow line. “Webber, I understand that you’ve had a lot of leeway in the past but one of the expectations I have for everyone on this team is communication. There is no excuse for you not letting O’Shea or myself know why you were running late.”

“Sir, I?—”

“You can call me Gavin. However”—an edge of steel appeared in Gavin’s voice—”what I won’t tolerate is disrespect by continuing to make excuses. You are allowed to make mistakes. What you aren’t allowed to do is avoid taking ownership of them. Your behavior got you traded from Toronto. We are willing to give you a second chance here, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to continue acting like an immature brat.”

Jesse’s face was sober now, and Connor could see the bob of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed. “Yes, sir-uhh, Gavin.”

“So, I expect you to be glued to Connor for the foreseeable future.” He settled a hand on Connor’s shoulder and Connor felt the weight of the entire franchise behind it. “You do what he says, without question.”

Jesse’s gaze shot over to Connor and he raised his eyebrows, a hint of a smile lurking in his eyes now. The little shit, he was enjoying this, Connor thought, disgusted.

Gavin pursed his lips. “I understand you’ve had a rather easy go of things, Webber. You dominated in Juniors, you had a stellar run with the Black Bears in the AHL where you took home the Memorial Cup, and you were in net for some crucial playoff wins during Toronto’s Stanley Cup run last season. But none of that matters now. None of that isenough.”

“Sir, uh, Gavin, I?—”

Gavin held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it, Webber. Let me finish. You may be talented but being the backup goaltender in a tandem isn’t the same as being our starter. That will require far more discipline. And while I understand that’s never been expected of you before, it will be now. You will be on time for team events, practices, and games. You will carpool with Connor whenever he deems it necessary. And you will not inconvenience your team or any member of the Harriers’ staff. Do you understand?”

Jesse nodded. “I do.”

“And,” Gavin continued. “There will beno moreexcuses for your behavior. If you screw up, you will apologize. It’s as simple as that.”

“Understood, uh, Gavin.”

Gavin smiled. “Now, what do you say we get this filming started?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Jesse’s head was still spinning as he followed Gavin and Connor to the front of the HCI building. They’d both cleaned up and dressed in street clothes again while the camera crew got ready.

Jesse had spent the time talking to the PR dude, Tyson Short, who, despite the name, wasn’t short at all.

“So,” Tyson said. “We’re going to start by filming Jesse and Connor getting out of Connor’s SUV and Gavin greeting you, Jesse.”

Right, they were going to pretend like that little lecture in the gym never happened.

Gah, Jesse’s guts still squirmed at the fact that he’d accidentally hit on Gavin Racine. He’d honestly mostly been thinking about Connor when he said it, only half-aware there was another hot, fit guy there helping him train. He’d figured the dude was part of the strength and conditioning staff or whatever.

Since when did GMs help players work out? Apparently, Gavin did.

Fuck, he was hot though. With broad shoulders, big arms, and that salt and pepper Daddy vibe. Yummy.

But his lecture was way less hot. Way less fun than watching Connor blow his top. And honestly, Jesse felt like shit now. Because he wasn’t trying to be difficult.

He’d been freaking out about his car and then the cops had been dickbags and the ride share had taken forever and he was still worried that his baby was all scratched up in some impound lot and …

“Jesse? Are you listening?”

“Yep,” he said hastily. “The media crew will be filming Connor and I getting out of his SUV, then Gavin greeting me.”

“Yes,” Tyson said slowly. “And then we’re going to take you on a tour of the facility. Show you around. We’ll end up in the dressing room before you and Connor will get out on the ice and he’ll fire a few shots at you.”

“Uhh, I’ll have a little time to warm up, right?” Jesse asked. “Because I don’t want to end up on IR before training camp even starts.”

“Of course! How long do you need?”

“Thirty to forty minutes?” Jesse said. “I mean, I know I’m not going to beplayingtoday but I’m feeling incredibly tight from the drive down from Toronto.”

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