Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,18

his least favorite activities—a byproduct of all the time he’d spent during his teens cleaning his mother’s china cabinets stuffed full of Precious Moments figurines and every award or ribbon he’d earned since preschool—but he’d be overrun by fur and pet dander if he didn’t attempt to keep a handle on things. “Just getting the pups’ food ready for the week.”

Tristan’s grin broadened. “You’re the only person I know who cooks for their dogs.”

“I use a base!” Daniel said, as if in summers when he had more free time he didn’t grind up eggshells and hand-dice the veggies and fruits himself instead of buying a premixed bag of all natural, grain-free ingredients. “I like knowing exactly what I’m feeding them.”

“I know. I think it’s cute.” Tristan’s eyes crinkled, fond and approving. “I’m trying to talk Seb into getting a cat, did I tell you? You know Stewie’s wife fosters for the Humane Society. A couple months ago they took in a stray that got hit by a car. Now they’re trying to find her a forever home. You should see her, Bellzie. Poor thing is missing half an ear and she’s got scars and she just looks like she’s had it so rough. She’s adorable, though. I’m already in love with her grumpy little face. I think I have Seb convinced to be her adoptive co-dad.”

“Really? That’s great!” Daniel lowered the flame under the pan and used a wooden turner to separate some of the bigger chunks of ground turkey.

The tags on five collars jingled as his pack of fur babies clustered around him. Kiki, the toy poodle, yipped at him, her tiny tail wagging so hard her little butt was shaking. Sephie, a brindle pit bull who was also scarred and missing most of her left ear after being rescued from a fighting ring, shot him a wide, panting grin. His brown Labrador, Tallulah, eyed him hopefully, and Petey, the Chihuahua/terrier mix, bounced on his hind legs, pawing at Daniel’s knee. Only the border collie, Rocket, appeared disinterested, but the twitching ears gave him away.

Daniel stopped stirring long enough to dole out a few mini carrots to each dog. “It’ll be good for you guys,” he said to Tristan. “And for her! You know I’m an ‘adopt don’t shop’ kinda guy. I know without a doubt she’ll have a loving home with you.”

“She will.” Tristan bit his lip and looked away from the screen for a second. “And maybe someday, I don’t know...maybe we can provide that for some kids, too. We’ve talked about it. Like, possibly making things official in a couple of years. Only casually so far, but...” The corner of his mouth crooked up. “When you know, you know, right? I love him so much. Even if I get traded, I... We’d make it work, no matter what.”

“Of course.” Daniel nodded encouragingly, ignoring the pang in his chest. Once, when he and Tabby stood in front of a pastor to exchange their vows, he’d thought they were a no-matter-what couple, too. He hadn’t lost her as either a co-parent or a friend, but sometimes, mostly when he was alone in bed at night, he missed the feeling of being in love. “You’re great with kids. I know mine adore you. I think you’d make a wonderful father.”

Tristan ducked his head. Even with the fuzzy video quality, Daniel saw the red blush staining his cheeks. “I want to be. Not right now, but, yeah. Someday.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, how are things going with the Thunder? They still freezing you out?”

Daniel sighed and grabbed the kettle from the stovetop. The water had cooled enough to pour over the dehydrated fruit and vegetables he’d eventually combine with the turkey. “I’ve had lunch with Demetrius and some of the other guys a few times, but it’s weird. I don’t get this team. Cedric is acting like I’m here to usurp his throne, but I just want to play hockey with teammates who don’t act like they’ve already packed it in for the season. I mean, it’s not even November yet.”

“No way they’ll improve with that kind of attitude,” Tristan said.

“That’s what I’m saying.” Daniel switched off the burner under the pan of simmering meat and fixed his attention on the screen. “I get that they’re tired of sucking. You’ve been to this arena plenty of times. If the seats aren’t half empty, they’re packed with fans for the opposing team. I know that’s like a punch to the