Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,89
to give it up. I could work with the team, you know. They offered me a position on the coaching staff. Besides, I was going to have to find something to do here when I retired, anyway.” Daniel would, of course, never be happy just surfing and playing with his dogs all the time.
Micah studied him. “Would you want to do that, though? Honestly, I’m not really a huge Thunder fan anymore. I kind of hate them. Forever. First they get you as a player and don’t win, and then they have the gall to not sign you?”
Daniel’s eyes sparkled. “I kind of love that you just said that, even if I should really point out that it’s not personal.”
“Being a sports fan means having irrational opinions and hating teams just because I want to,” he informed Daniel. “So, they’d let you take over coaching the Thunder? I bet you’d be better at it than the current guy.”
“Very loyal hockey-boyfriend of you to say so,” Daniel said. “I wouldn’t be head coach, no. Not right off the bat, anyway. I’d be assisting.” He paused, then sighed softly. “To be honest, I haven’t actually read all the particulars yet. Rationally, I know what a huge opportunity it would be to coach in the NHL, but this season has been such a downer, working with the Thunder in any capacity might be tainted for me now.”
“Okay. What about coaching somewhere else, like the team we went to see? The Strikers or one of the other teams in that age group? That Jake guy has an epic man-crush on you.” Micah held up a hand. “No shame, I can deal with the hetero-bros, but you’re so great with the Rumbles and hey, maybe if the Thunder had better development they’d have better seasons? Is that how it works?”
Daniel tugged him forward and kissed him soundly. “No, but I love you for suggesting it. That’s also an idea. It really comes down to whether I want to keep playing, or head off into the great unknown of what’s next.”
“Well.” Micah reached up to play with his hair. “That’s a decision only you can make. But either way, you’re not going to lose me. We’ll make it work. I’m starting to realize that maybe uncertainty isn’t a deal breaker, it’s just...how it is, whether you play hockey or not. All you can do is try? Shoot for the net? Some kind of hockey metaphor? Help me out here.”
“I don’t need to,” Daniel said, and his voice was suspiciously choked. “You’re doing great. Thank you, Micah. It means a lot to me that you’re not giving up on me.”
“Never. I lost you once, and I’m not doing it again. So. Maybe my preference isn’t long distance, but preference is definitely you being happy, and I can work with that.” Micah smiled. He felt...good. It would be hard not to have Daniel nearby, but he wasn’t thirteen anymore. He had money, and vacation time, and a reliable car. There was no reason he had to give up just because it wasn’t easy—when had either of them done that, ever? “We’re both pretty tenacious and determined, so. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. Just...do what’s best for you, okay?”
Daniel nodded. “I will. It’s a lot to think about.”
“If you do end up back in Atlanta, you’re getting me a new jersey. Although, honestly, Danny, I look way better in green than I do in blue, so at least there’s that.”
Daniel’s laugh was only a little forced, but then he gave Micah a heated look that was nothing but genuine. “You know what you look the best in?”
Micah stared at him. “Are you gonna say, like, nothing?”
“Me,” Daniel said, wagging his eyebrows.
“Don’t you mean, you look better in me?” Micah asked. He reached out and tugged on one of Daniel’s errant curls. “Unless you mean my cock in your mouth, and then, yes.”
Daniel sucked in a breath. Micah loved how easily Daniel responded to his dirty talk. “That, but... I want you inside me. To fuck me.”
“Do you?” Micah reached out and ran a finger over Daniel’s full lower lip. “You think this is a good time to do it?”
“Why not? Look, I could really use not being in my head right now, and you’re pretty good at distracting me.” Daniel winced. “That...sounded bad, huh.”
“It’s okay,” Micah assured him, sliding a hand around Daniel’s neck and drawing him in to kiss him. “I’m better at talking, you can just