Page 79 of Goaltender Interference

“Well, try to do better,” Racine said, looking Jesse in the eye. “We’re counting on you this season.”

“Message received,” Jesse said. “And I’m sorry.”

Connor kept walking and took a seat in what was apparently his usual spot beside Pennington. Connor glowered when Jesse passed by, though Jesse suspected it was for very different reasons than his coach and GM had done it.

With a roll of his eyes Jesse ignored him, making his way toward Tanner who was seated in the back. Jesse liked Connor O’Shea a lot but sometimes, he made no sense at all.

Jesse fished his earbuds and tablet out of his carry-on, stuffed it in the overhead compartment, then dropped into his seat with a sigh. Tanner gave him a vague, confused look, but the plane’s engines rumbled and they began to move.

Jesse fastened his seat belt and tried to look like he was listening intently while the flight attendant did her spiel.Ugh. Like he hadn’t heard it a million times before.

When she was done and they were taxiing down the runway, Tanner nudged him with an elbow. “What has you in such a bad mood this morning?” he muttered.

“Nothing.” Jesse crossed his arms. “I’mfine.”

“Oh yeah, youreallylook it.”

“This plane sucks.” Jesse wrinkled his nose. “I can’t believe I’m stuck on a charter flight again. The Fisher Cats had their own plane.”

Tanner rolled his eyes. “Dude, don’t be a snob. It’s better than the bus in the AHL.”

“True.” Jesse slumped back. That wasn’t what was upsetting him though. “Whatever, I’m just in a bad mood. I’m not going to be able to hook up on the road trip.”

“Dude, why not?”

Jesse stared at his friend. “Uhh, because the guy I’m hooking up with is inBoston.”

Which was technically still true, since the plane hadn’t taken off yet.

“Sure, but there’s no reason you can’t hook up with someone else on the road,” Tanner said, looking at Jesse like he’d entirely lost his marbles.

“Uh, I can’t. We’re … we’re exclusive.”

Tanner looked baffled. “Since when have you ever done exclusive with anyone?”

“This is the first time.” Jesse tried not to squirm. “It’s … it’s better for me because I can’t risk any drama this season, you know?”

“Oh yeah, having an exclusive hookup really avoids the drama.”

“Well, that was the idea anyway,” Jesse said with a sigh. Though, based on the way he and Connor had been arguing earlier, maybe it hadn’t quite worked out. Though they’d mostly beentrying to avoid drama ending uponlineand pissing off the head office, which they’d managed so far, so maybe that was a win.

Jesse peered down the aisle to where he could see Connor’s knee poking out.

Well, he’d just have to keep trying. Connor hadn’t been able to resist him so far. Why would this be any different?

Connor was exhausted by the time they landed in Portland. He’d napped on the plane but it had been restless sleep and he felt even more groggy now.

They didn’t have a game until tomorrow night and, as they disembarked and got on a bus to take them to the hotel, he regretted scheduling an entire afternoon and evening of team bonding activities for the rest of the day.

It was important, especially this time of year, but all he wanted to do was flop down on a hotel bed and sleep for about a week.

Maura’d had nightmares again last night and Connor had been exhausted and in a foul mood even before her meltdown this morning. The argument with Jesse on the way to the airport hadn’t helped.

And Jesse taking the blame for being late? The thought still sat heavily in the pit of Connor’s stomach. Why had Jesse done that? Why had he sacrificed himself?

If Connor’d explained to Hoyt and Racine that it had been a rough morning with the girls, they would have understood. Hoythad kids; he knew what it was like. Racine didn’t, but he’d always been a reasonable guy.

So why had Jesse done it? What did he have to gain?

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