Trade Deadline - Avon Gale Page 0,95
of comparison is that?” Ryu asked. “Have you taken up dairy farming in your spare time, Trevor?”
“You don’t have to be a farmer to know about cows, Ryu,” Morley said sagely. “I watch the Discovery Channel.”
Ryu scoffed. “Since when do they feature documentaries about dairy cows?”
Daniel held up a hand before the conversation completely went off the rails. “I appreciate the sentiment, Morley, but I turned thirty-four this season. You know that’s practically ancient in hockey years.”
“Bro, don’t sell yourself short. Ovi’s still out there kicking ass and taking names, and he’s, like, late thirties, right?”
Daniel shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered you’d compare me to Ovechkin, but he’s in a class of his own. I don’t put up anywhere near the numbers he does.”
Morley opened his mouth, but he couldn’t argue that point, and they both knew it.
“You might change your mind,” Ryu said quietly. “Hockey’s in your blood. That doesn’t just go away.”
“But playing the game isn’t the only way to be involved in the sport,” Tristan put in before Daniel could answer. “We all know Bellzie is a great leader. I honestly always thought he might go into coaching eventually, anyway.” He met Daniel’s gaze and gave him a smile that warmed Daniel’s heart. “And we’re rooting for you no matter what you decide to do.” Tristan looked around the table. “Right, guys?”
“Naturally, dude. Always.” Morley extended his fist.
Daniel smiled crookedly as he delivered the expected bump. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“I don’t blame you for making the choice that would let you stay near your family,” Tristan said. “And Micah too, of course.”
Micah laid a hand over Daniel’s where it rested on the tabletop and squeezed. “I just wanted him to make the choice that made him happiest.” He cracked a smile. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that decision is keeping him in Miami.”
“Your whole story is like some fairytale shit.” Morley gestured with a buffalo wing. “Or like a Meg Ryan rom-com. Reunited childhood sweethearts? That’s one of my favorite fanfic AUs, you know. And coffee shops.”
Micah shot Daniel a puzzled look. “What’s an AU?”
“It’s a fanfiction thing.” Army waved a hand. “And don’t ask any more questions or he’ll go on about it for ages.”
“I’m serious,” Morley said. “You both even have the affinity for animals like Disney characters, you with your dogs, Bellzie, and Micah with the dolphins.”
Tristan grinned. “Sounds like the movie our generation needs. I’d watch it.”
“I’d watch it too,” Morley said, leering.
“Okay okay.” Daniel chuckled despite the heat in his cheeks. “Enough about our rom-com romance. What’s this movie you want us to watch tonight?” Morley had a theater-style viewing room in his basement that would accommodate the entire team and then some. He even had an old-fashioned popcorn cart in one corner.
“Bro, I saw a clip on YouTube and, I swear, this motorcycle chase scene is going to make your nipples hard. They were parkouring off walls. They went under a truck.”
Daniel laughed.
“I’m not joking.” Morley indicated his brawny chest. “These babies were rock hard. Made me want to buy a motorcycle.” He paused, his mouth quirking at the corner. “Or maybe just fuck someone wearing leather biker gear. The boots, man.”
“Spare us your kinky sex fantasies, Morley,” Ryu said, “I’m trying to finish my salad.”
Morley tossed a chicken bone at him, which Ryu neatly dodged. “You already killed the fantasy by bringing up your bowl of lettuce, Mori. Who even orders salad from a pizza place anyway? Greasiness is the point of such fine establishments.”
As Ryu and Morley started bickering and Micah watched in amusement, Daniel shook his head fondly. He kissed Micah on the cheek, and Micah leaned into him, his attention on Daniel’s friends but his hand dropping to land on Daniel’s thigh under the table.
It felt amazing to be back with his hockey brothers, however brief the visit. It felt even better to be certain, deep in his chest, that he’d made the right decision for his career. Daniel wasn’t hanging up his skates for good. His position on the team might be changing, but hockey would always be in his blood, and now he’d get to stay connected to the sport he loved and help future generations accomplish their dreams, and he’d get to do it all while being near his family. He didn’t think anything could improve his mood at that moment.
Micah squeezed his thigh and rested his head on Daniel’s shoulder. Daniel turned to inhale the scent of