Page 56 of Man Advantage

Beside him, Zach scowled and nodded.

They weren’t wrong—Trev was on another planet. He’d been playing so well after that bumpy first night, but now… Jesus. We weren’t the only ones who noticed, either.

“I’m not sure what’s going on with Trevor Allen tonight,” a commentator said. “He hasn’t had a single shot this game, and he seems to be going for a new personal record for turnovers. And if Petrovich hadn’t been on his toes, there would’ve been an own goal against Pittsburgh for sure.”

“I don’t know, Joel,” the other replied as the camera watched Trev and three other players battling for the puck against the wall. “But I tell you what, if I’m Coach Larson and my second line center is playing like this tonight, he’s playing on the fourth line in the next game.”

“Or he’s spending some time on the bench,” the first said. “Becausethisisn’t what anyone expects from Trevor Allen.”

“Well, I hope Tim Chatsworth is ready for some second line minutes, because he’s probably getting promoted soon.”

“Then let’s hope Allen gets his head together, because Chats on a good day still doesn’t hold a candle to Allen on an off day.”

The commentators continued remarking on whether Trev or Chats was worthy of that spot and how the team was in trouble if Chats was the best they could do to take Trev’s place.

As they yammered on, Zane frowned. “I don’t like it when they talk about Dad like that.”

“I don’t either,” I admitted. “It isn’t nice.”

“They just don’t like him because they can’t play like him,” Zach declared.

“Is that right?”

He nodded sharply, glaring hard at the screen. “Dad’s boyfriend says that announcer guy was healthy-scratched more than he ever played.”

“Oh really?” I asked. “What does that mean?”

“It means he was benched,” Zane said in that“oh my God, what did youthinkit means?”tone that kids didohso well.

“Oh,” I said. “So he sat on the bench most games instead of playing hockey?”

“Duh,” Zach said with total seriousness. “His team wanted towin.”

I snorted. These weredefinitelyTrev’s children.

But this was also definitely not Trev’s night, and I was worried. When we’d exchanged texts this morning, he’d been himself. Later, though, his responses were brief and kind of… disengaged? Not like he was blowing me off, but like his heart wasn’t in it.

Just like his heart wasn’t in the game right now.

My stomach knotted with worry. As the camera followed Trev skating toward the bench with a defeated look on his face, that worry intensified.

Whereareyou tonight, Trevor?

I wasn’t any less worried when the game was over. They’d gone into overtime, and ultimately lost in a shootout. None of Trev’s mistakes had been terribly costly tonight, aside from some turnovers that had resulted in scoring chances, but he hadn’t really helped much either.

When he FaceTimed with the boys after the game, he looked and sounded exhausted. Still obviously thrilled to see them, but like he was ready to collapse, too. And I didn’t think it was just from the game.

While I supervised the twins brushing their teeth afterward, I texted him.

Hey. Want to FaceTime again? With just me?

The reply came as I was tucking the boys in, and I read it after I’d stepped out into the hall.

Yes please. In my hotel room now.

Give me a minute.

I headed into my own bedroom, shut the door, lay back on my bed, and sent the FaceTime request.

---