Page 127 of Body Check

“After Thanksgiving,” Dakota admitted.

“Damn, you two arecutetogether,” Jesse said. “Congrats.”

“Thanks?” Dakota managed, cheeks feeling a little warm. “Uhh, I hate to ask but could you guys … keep this quiet for now? The ownership group doesn’t know. Gavin’s going to meet with them soon but, uh, we’d rather they not find outthisway, you know?”

Jesse nodded, glancing over at Kady. “We won’t tell, right?”

“We—?” Kady said a word in another language, looking conflicted.

“No!” Jesse said. “Not a lie. Just don’t say anything to anyone until they’re ready to tell the team.”

“Oh.” Kady’s expression smoothed out. “Okay. I understand. Is like surprise party, yes? Happy surprise? Not bad secret.”

“Exactly!” Jesse beamed. “It’s a happy surprise.”

“I’m not tell,” Kady said solemnly, pressing his hand to his chest. “Not spoil happy surprise for you and Gavin.”

“Thank you,” Dakota said, grateful.

He hoped it would be a happy surprise anyway.

TWENTY-NINE

Gavin stared across the table at the principal owner, chairman, president, and two CEOs of the team’s ownership group. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you to meet today.”

Ned Merritt, the principal owner, nodded. “We are.”

“It’s time to make some changes around here.”

The president of the ownership group, Lindsey Phelps, frowned. “What kind of changes?”

“I plan to step down as interim president of hockey ops.”

Several of them exchanged glances, but no one spoke, so Gavin continued.

“My decision is multi-layered,” he explained. He went into some of the details of the heart issues he’d been having, then took a deep breath. “In addition to needing to make some changes for my health, I have a more personal reason to make this decision.”

Eyebrows rose.

“I fell in love with someone who works for the organization.”

Gavin hadn’t planned thoseexactwords when he prepared for this meeting, but they felt right. He thought of Dakota’s quiet support as he told him about his past, the soft concern in his voice, the willingness to play mediator between him and his brother, and smiled.

Those were all things he couldn’t have imagined sharing with Rory. Ways Rory had never supported him.

What he’d thought was love had been lust and infatuation.

He’d cared for Rory, there was no doubt about that. But they’d beenmarriedand he hadn’t let Rory in the way he’d let Dakota in already. The depth of his growing feelings for Dakota was so much more than he could have imagined. The hope for their future together seemed ever-expanding.

If that wasn’t love, what was?

Ned raised an eyebrow. “And who is it that you’re—involved with?”

“Dakota Crane.”

Glances were exchanged again. “The yoga and Pilates instructor for the team?”

“Yes.”

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