Delay of Game

Jackson Harper had barely gotten his feet wet in the NHL before he was traded from LA to The Minnesota Northern Lights. It's hard not to take it personally, but he is going to make the most of being the only out gay hockey player in Minnesota. Ryan Cosgrove is thirty-two, which means he's practically a geriatric hockey player. He won a cup a long time ago, and now all that's left is his empty house, his golden retriever, Lola, the tail end of his hockey career, and the weight of loneliness as everyone in his life pairs off to start families.

When Ryan suggested Nate take Collin to the wedding as his date to stir up some drama, it was the perfect chance for both of them. By the end, maybe they both would make a friend. Neither of them were expecting the sexual chemistry that sparked between them the entire weekend.

Oliver Swan's career is over. Everyone can see that. He's been too injured to play for an entire season. But what legacy does a second overall player have to leave when he hasn't actually achieved anything in his career? He can already see the headlines: Draft Bust Retires After Underwhelming Career. Fuck that. He's going to be remembered the way he wants to be. He's going to write a memoir.

When Blake Brennan came out, he made NHL history. He was the elite goaltender of the New Jersey Ruby Reds, with a cute boyfriend and a bright career ahead of him. Now, he was single, and struggling both in net, and with his team. Matthew Sawyer ended up living with his dad again after dropping out of college. His dad, the coach of the Ruby Reds, has high expectations for him. Matthew isn't sure what he wants out of life, but he knows he doesn't want the boring desk job his dad wants him to get.

Theo Lane finally found his place in the NHL. The beginning of his career had been a struggle, especially compared to Rowan Foley, generational talent and his ex not-quite-boyfriend. It took eight years from draft day, but Theo was finally on a team that respected him. The San Jose Serpents had a real chance that year. Everything was looking up. Until Rowan signed a contract with the Serpents.

Felix Becker is trying to figure out where he belongs in New Jersey. After spending nearly a decade in Texas in a codependent, though platonic, relationship with his best friend, recent Stanley Cup winner Rowan Foley, it's time to move on. His new condo is fine, but things finally start to look...