Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Blind Pass

When they return back to Houston for game three, Tye and Eli are healthy scratches. Reporters and fans on social media have a field day trying to figure out why both the star player and rookie are being benched for such an important game. Shane's black eye certainly prompts speculation, but no information has been leaked to the public otherwise.

Both defensemen watch from a suite as Colorado loses their second game in a row, making the series 2-1 in Houston's favor. Thankfully, they are finally given approval to participate in game four. Their play in this particular away game still looks a bit shaky with some passes not connecting and slight miscommunication issues. Overall, however, the Boulders are noticeably more motivated with the addition of the two men and end up winning game four to tie up the series 2-2.

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Moss' flight to Denver the next day is scheduled to land a couple of hours before the Boulders are even set to depart from Houston. With his imminent return, Moss figured he should give Lars and Addie a heads up that he will be back in town soon. Addie responded to his text immediately, offering to sit in the family suite with him at the next game to which Moss politely declined. He instead asked if he could stop by their house on his way to Tye's so he could brief them on everything that has happened over the past couple of days. After all, they both reached out to him during the Houston hotel disaster with good intentions and he wants to fill them in on the situation. It's also important to him that he reassures the couple that it won't happen again.

He texts Tye as soon as he lands in Denver.

To: Tye>:) <3

Just landed!

Heading to Addie and Lars now :)

Tye>:) <3

Glad you made it back safe <3 tell the swedes I say hi

His boyfriend never said it, but Moss could tell that he was worried Moss wouldn't actually return to Colorado. Knowing that he had put these doubts into Tye's head makes Moss feel an immense amount of guilt, but he's determined to fix the damage he has caused in his relationship with the hockey player. In the meantime, he owes the Larrson's an apology as well.

Addie must have been waiting at the door for him because it swings open before he can even finish his first knock. With her arms wound tight around Moss, Addie begins to reprimand him. "Don't you dare scare us like that ever again, Moss Kettler! We couldn't sleep until Eli confirmed that you were alive in Detroit," she scolds with her face smushed into his shoulder.

Guilt washes over Moss once more. He hates that he has caused his friends so much trouble because of his impulsive actions. "I'm so sorry—I promise it won't happen again," he chokes out, squeezing her back.

A throat clears from behind Addie causing them to separate. Lars is standing with his hands on his hips, but he moves forward with his arms extended to give the younger man a firm hug as well once his wife releases him from her hold. "I know Ads has already told you off, but please never do that again." Lars sounds absolutely drained from the whole situation. Moss swears to him as well that it won't happen again.

They walk into the living room where Moss finds a spot on their couch next to Addie and across from Lars who has claimed the recliner. The two oldest children greet Moss before they go back to playing on the ground in front of the adults. Addie is gently rocking their youngest back-and-forth in her arms. Multitasking, she turns her attention to Moss and asks, "If you feel comfortable, can you please explain what happened? Is everything alright now?"

By the time Moss finishes giving them the details, they are infuriated with Shane, but grateful that he has made up with Eli and Tye. Wanting to avoid speaking further about his estranged brother, he tells them about how he and Tye plan on communicating more proactively in the future.

"It's only been a couple days, but I already feel like we've been communicating better. We text or FaceTime whenever we can and check in on each other a lot more," he expresses amicably. "I think we were too afraid to, like, inconvenience each other before if we weren't in a good mood or something. Now, I let him know when I start to get in my head about what Shane said and he tells me when the playoffs are stressing him out."

Lars and Addie are elated to hear that the two of them are communicating more clearly with each other and will, hopefully, avoid repeating what had happened just a few days ago.

Moss also tells them about how he and Tye had made a deal in Detroit. The 'deal' being that Tye would fly back to Houston so he could make the next practice and play in game four as long as Moss booked a flight back to Denver so he would be there before the team returned.

"Tye forgave me for what I did, but I want to prove to him that I'm serious about us," Moss reveals to the married couple. "When he comes back later today, I'm gonna see if he's okay with me being introduced to the WAGs. Then I can sit with all of you in the suite at the next game and we don't have to be an open secret to the team anymore. It sounds like everyone probably already knows about us anyway after what happened at the hotel."

Addie's facial expression contradicts itself as she somehow manages to look simultaneously ecstatic and annoyed. "I would absolutely LOVE to introduce you to the girls, Mo, but please don't blame yourself for what went down at the hotel. Shane was the one who initiated all of this and Tye decided to air everything out by loudly confronting him."

Moss appreciates his friend trying to remove some of the blame from him, but he knows that he could've helped avoid the situation altogether by talking to Tye instead of breaking up with him over text. Nevertheless, he has learned not to argue with Addie so he graciously accepts her words before changing the subject to something more lighthearted. "Enough about me. I see someone missing two front teeth in this room and it's surprisingly not the hockey player," Moss jokes. This catches the oldest daughter's attention as she immediately perks up at the mention of her missing teeth.

The blonde girl hops over to Moss and beams at him, showing off her gummy smile. "The tooth fairy gave me ten dollars under my pillow!" She excitedly informs him. They laugh along as she talks about how she plans on creating a trap for the fairy the next time she loses a tooth. Moss is grateful that the conversation has successfully been diverted from relationship issues to fairy traps.

Not wanting to overstay his welcome, Moss eventually wraps up their latest conversation, saying that he wants to get back to Tye's house before the defenseman returns home. The Larsson's walk him to the front door where they both give him a big hug that reminds him of his own parents hugging him when he was a child. They tell him that they're always available to talk before giving their final parting words.

"We've known Tye since he was a rookie and have never seen him happier than he has been when he's with you." Lars' eyes are kind, but serious as he speaks. "Addie and I have also loved getting to know you. I'm confident that you and Tye will take great care of each other from here on out."

Moss feels as if he's about to start crying so he quickly gives each of them another hug and thanks them profusely for everything that they have done for him. He then makes his way towards the Uber that is waiting to take him and his luggage back to the house that he's been longing to return to for the last couple of days.