Page 32 of If You Claim Me

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Yeah. You?”

“S’all right. Big shift from where I was last year,” he admits.

Romero coached for the Hockey Academy and played out in Pearl Lake last year.

“There’s a lot of pressure coming in all directions. Can’t imagine it’s easy to block out all the noise.” I can relate, even if our situations are vastly different.

“I’m staying off social media for the foreseeable future for sure,” he grumbles.

Romero’s dad was a legend in the game, but he had a reputation for being a fighter early in his career. Quinn followed in his footsteps, which contributed to him not being picked up sooner. There’s some irony that the Terror management added two of the chippiest players in the league to their team in as many seasons.

“It helps for sure. But you have someone to manage that for you?”

“My friend Lovey deals with most of it.” The tips of his ears turn red.

Makes me wonder what the deal is with this friend of his. “That’s good. Definitely makes it easier to stay focused when you can avoid the shit talk.”

“And all the women in my messages looking for hookups,” he mutters.

“Ah, yes, that gets old after a while.”

We shower and change into street clothes. Dallas and a few of the other guys invite us to the Watering Hole. I’m pretty sure the invitation is for Romero, not me, but I’m standing right beside him.

“Yeah, I’d love to.” Romero’s all smiles as he turns to me. “You in?”

“Let me check with Mildred.”

“She’s at work,” Flip offers, then adds, “But you probably already know that.”

He’s been oddly civil with me, and I don’t know how to take it.

“Yeah, we have a date tonight.” It’s not a complete lie. And anyway, going to the Watering Hole might also give Flip the opportunity to grill me.

Connor

What time are you coming with books?

Mildred

As soon as my shift is over.

Connor

Which is when?

Mildred

I’m sharing my calendar with you. But I’m off in two hours.

That gives me time to check on Meems and make sure she’s ready for a visitor.

An email alert pops up with the subject:Dred Reformer has shared her calendar with you.

“I have a few things to take care of before I see Mildred, but maybe next time.”Probably not, though. Unless my fiancée is going.

“Sure thing.” Dallas and Quinn give me props as I leave the locker room.