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“Since Ollie’s a coach now, I forget that there are still players his age in the game.”

“And older too.”

“That’s got to be physically tough.”

“Yeah. I don’t like missing games, but it is easier on the body.

” This was painfully awkward. I should just go upstairs.

That was the smart thing to do. But Beast grumbled, and something in my brain fired.

“I’ve been going to the shelter near your friend’s shop.

If you were headed over there and wanted to carpool… ”

Sophie rested a hand on the instrument on her table. “Maybe tomorrow, if you’re going again? I really have to finish this.”

The team wouldn’t be back for a couple of days, so I was at loose ends. “What time? I can be flexible in my workouts while everyone’s on the road.” Damn, I sounded desperate.

“Want to go noonish? There’s a great little place we like to eat lunch.”

Maybe she wasn’t just placating me. “I can do that.”

“I’ll let Diane know.”

I finally dragged myself away. This might be a positive to the team’s rotating goalie situation—I could spend time with Sophie without worrying about how Otts would react. If I could just be natural around her.

I called the shelter, to see if I could come by.

The woman I’d met the first time, named Delores, told me the vet was there this aft, so tomorrow would be better.

I promised to come in the afternoon and hung up, feeling better about the next couple of days.

Playing poorly then being left behind had spiked my anxiety.

But walking a dog, who cared nothing about hockey, and hanging out with people who didn’t recognize me was a good mental break.

Beast started to growl, looking at the door.

I clipped on his leash and checked, finding Goober on the outside.

She didn’t want to shoo, so I closed the door, tied Beast to a chair and filled a glass with water.

I couldn’t have the cat sitting outside the door driving Beast crazy all the time, so maybe getting wet would discourage her. But by then she was gone.

I didn’t dawdle over my workout the next day.

I needed to keep in shape, and it took more effort than it did when I was twenty, but by now I knew how much I had to do before it became detrimental.

Once I was done, I went back to the carriage house to change and take Beast out.

Sophie was ready and waiting by the time I got downstairs.

Diane waved when we stepped into the shop. Sophie went to see what she was working on but I kept Beast close. There were probably more things here he could chew on, and not everyone would be as nice about it as Sophie.

For lunch we went to a place the two of them knew, with outdoor seating that allowed Beast. The food was Tex-Mex—something I’d been introduced to while I was playing in California. The place was good but not fancy, and I was comfortable there.

We sat outside, Diane and Sophie doing most of the talking.

I was happy to listen to them, enjoy the cooler air, and keep an eye on Beast. He growled occasionally but refrained from lunging at anyone, so that was a win.

Once we’d finished an excellent lunch, the two women went back to the shop and I headed to the shelter.

Delores smiled to see me. “I’m so glad you came back. How is Beast?”

Beast sat and started scratching his ear.

“I swear he’s had all his flea and tick meds.”

“Sometimes dogs just need to scratch. But if he keeps it up, it could be mites or a yeast infection.”

“Can you recommend a vet? I should get him checked out.”

“Sure. We have a list we provide people who adopt from us.”

Not just any vet would do. “Someone who’s used to animals that are…nervous?”

Delores raised her brows. “Nervous as in biting?”

“He’s getting better, but…”

She shrugged. “That comes with the territory for vets. Now, let me get Howie and Bob.”

She was back in a minute with the familiar grouchy face of Howie and the grinning Bob.

Howie took off again without waiting for us, but we caught up.

I didn’t try to talk to him, which was fine.

I checked out the neighborhood, appreciating that this was the Austin most people knew.

Not mansions and carriage houses and high-paid athletes but regular people.

Me, but for some skill on the ice. Beast didn’t show any fear of Bob, and didn’t bark or growl at him.

The tension I’d been carrying melted away.

The only drama was when we met people. I nodded, Bob wagged his stubby tail, and the other two glared. Howie and Beast were a lot alike, when I thought about it.

With Beast behaving better, I stayed at the shelter for a while, helping clean up while Beast grumbled in a corner. He sat at attention, watching all the other animals, but didn’t lunge at any of them. We both enjoyed the break, and I was reluctant to leave.

Except I did want to see Sophie again.

Back at the shop, Diane and Sophie were busy discussing a guitar.

I assured Sophie I was good, pulled out a book, and passed a quiet half hour before driving us back.

I drove her up to the house and saw the expanse of it for the first time.

It was three stories high, same Spanish theme as the carriage house, and had a circle driveway in front as well as a four-car garage on one side.

You couldn’t see neighbors in any direction. Damn.

“It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” Sophie said as I stared.

“To each their own.”

“I grew up in a house bigger than this, and swore that wasn’t going to be my life. Me being here was supposed to be temporary after Ollie and I split, but Cash is away most of the time and the shop is so handy. It works well for both of us.”

Like I was going to judge her. “Until a hockey player comes and messes things up.”

She smiled as she stepped out of the car. “Not sure that’s a bad thing.”

Then she was gone, and I was left to ponder those words as I returned to my place.