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“She’s becoming more and more obsessed with social media.

It’s all she talks about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not so self-centered that I want to be with someone who is solely focused on me.

I’d much rather she have other interests, just as long as it doesn’t involve content creation.

Can you imagine thrusting a kid into that kind of atmosphere? ”

Alek jerked his head around to stare at him. “Wow. You’ve thought about having kids with her?”

“Well, sure. I mean, I want to have my kids chasing me around at morning skate before I’m too old. Or cheering me on from the boards. I think Sloane is only after the fame and attention. If something better came along, I have this bad feeling she’d throw me over in a heartbeat.”

They were quiet for a long moment before Valentine spoke up.

“I’m starting to think you’ve had the right approach all along, Ice-Berg. Maybe I should follow your lead and steer clear of all the complications that come with a long-term relationship and hope that someone leaves me a kid.”

Alek squeezed the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. That hadn’t been what he was doing. Well, not exactly, anyway. At one time in his life, he’d wanted what his teammate wanted.

Until his best friend took it away.

Except he had another chance at it now. But if he messed it up, he’d lose Sheridan and Finn forever. And that would break him.

Their arrival at the training facility should have put an end to the conversation, but Alek wanted his friend to know he was in his corner.

“I’d say trust your gut, Twos,” he said as they hurried through the snow and into the building.

“But mine hasn’t always been reliable where women are concerned.

It might be best if you tell her how you feel.

Maybe she thinks you want her to be a social media queen, and she’s only doing all of this for you. ”

Valentine perked up. “You think?”

He didn’t think so, but for his teammate’s sake, he hoped so. “Hard to say for sure. That’s why you need to talk to her.”

“Thanks, Ice-Berg.” Valentine clapped him on the back. “You picked up a few things being the son of a professor.”

The training room was crowded, which was understandable given that they had a noon game the next day. None of the guys wanted to get up any earlier than they had to on a Sunday morning.

“How’s the pooch?” Picard called from one of the tables where a trainer was applying ultrasound to his ankle.

Alek signed in for the next available trainer. “Vet says she’s going to pull through.”

“How many of your jock straps did they pull from Hattie’s belly?” Henrik asked. The assistant coach was icing his back.

“None,” Alek replied, feeling triumphant. “It was a pair of Sheridan’s thong underwear.”

Laughter and a few wolf whistles filled the room.

“Oh sure,” one of the guys scoffed. “Are we supposed to believe that?”

“How do we know you’re not wearing women’s underwear?” another teased.

“Har, har.” Alek flipped them all the bird.

“Were they the gold ones?”

A hush fell over the room at Merriweather’s odd question. The guy was leaning against the wall sipping a water. Alek felt his blood begin to boil just by looking at the insolent smile on the douchebag’s face.

“What did you say?” he demanded.

Merriweather had the gall to shrug. “The shiny gold ones. I doubt they are the same pair she wore back when she was trolling the bench in Boston. But those are the ones I remember.”

Gus came from nowhere to stand beside Alek. “Don’t listen to him. He’s lying. The asshole is simply stirring the pot,” he said.

His words made Merriweather chuckle. “Cobert didn’t believe me, either. Thought his little sister was pure as the snow. When really she was a sl?—”

Alek’s fist landed on Merriweather’s mouth before he could finish the word. Water arced across the room when his water bottle went flying. Gus and Picard tried to shoulder themselves between the two men.

Blood trickled from the corner of Merriweather’s mouth, but that didn’t quiet his maniacal laugh.

“Whoa. You’re awfully protective of your friend’s little sister.

Something going on that we don’t know about?

” he taunted. “I mean, it looks like you’ve already screwed things up with the cute little teacher.

What makes you think you can hold on to a fast one like Sheridan? ”

“Oh no, he didn’t,” Picard said as he loosened his grip on Alek’s waist.

Not that Alek heard him. He had Merriweather pinned to the floor in an instant, his fists slamming into the other man’s body.

The roaring in his ears was slowly drowned out by the sounds of his teammates yelling at him to stop.

Multiple pairs of hands reached in to tug him off the other man.

Merriweather landed a punch to Alek’s mouth right when Picard squeezed himself between them.

Valentine and Gus yanked Alek to his feet.

Merriweather sat up and sneered. “She’s not worth it, man. Sheridan is very chummy with one of the doctors at the hospital. He claims to be a therapist, but a home-wrecker is what he is, if you ask me. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Nobody asked you.” Valentine kicked him in the ribs. “You wrecked your home all by yourself. Not some doctor.”

It was the first time any of them had seen Merriweather move that fast. He had his hands around Valentine’s neck before anyone could stop him.

“Fuck you, man,” Merriweather shouted.

The players and the trainers all scrambled to break it up. Valentine had red marks around his neck and was gasping for air when they pulled them apart. Picard was in the midst of yanking Merriweather away by his hair when Coach rushed in.

“Hey!” he yelled while one of the assistants blew his whistle.

Everyone was breathing heavy as they dropped their hands to their sides. Henrik handed Alek a towel for his bloody lip. No one made a similar gesture to Merriweather, however.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Coach demanded.

A charged silence fell over the room. No doubt one of the trainers, or even Henrik, would be pressed into recounting the events to the coaching staff and management. The players, however, kept their lips zipped.

Coach swore violently. “This is what I get for not staying home and helping put up the Christmas decorations.” He stared Alek down. “Don’t leave this building without having someone look at that lip.” He redirected his gaze at Merriweather and sighed heavily. “You. Come with me.”

He turned on his heel and stormed off without even waiting to see if Merriweather would follow.

Everyone stood still for a long moment wondering if their teammate would have the balls to disobey, until he snatched up a towel and pressed it to his mouth.

He took his time, strutting from the room, shoulders back and head high as if he’d been selected to captain the team.

None of his teammates bothered to make eye contact with him on his way out.

One of the trainers guided Alek over to a chair while another checked out Valentine. The rest of the guys picked up the items that ended up being collateral damage.

“He split it pretty good,” the trainer said. “A squirt of Dermabond will fix it right up. Sit tight while I go grab some.” He handed Alek an ice pack. “Hold this on it while you wait.”

Picard and Gus made their way over to him as soon as the trainer left.

“That guy is toxic,” Gus said softly. “He had no qualms about hurting Valentine.”

“I’m going to coach. If he doesn’t listen, I’ll go over his head to the GM,” Picard added. “But that guy is not staying in our dressing room.”

Their words barely registered with Alek. He was too busy contemplating the things Merriweather said about Sheridan. They weren’t true.

Were they?

The fact was, he’d known Sheridan a long time ago. And had he truly known her then? He couldn’t imagine Sheridan two-timing him with Finn’s therapist. Except he never thought in a million years that her brother would steal his girlfriend away once upon a time, either.

“Alek.” Gus shook him by the shoulder. “Don’t even think about believing any of that bullshit Merriweather said.

The dude was gaslighting you. Trying to drive a wedge within the team.

That’s his MO, remember?” He lowered his voice.

“You and Sheridan are good together, man. Don’t let that jealous little prick ruin that for you. ”

The trainer returned. Alek winced when the guy pressed on his lip. “That should do it. I’ve put some antibacterial meds on there too. Keep icing it.” He shot Alek a sheepish look. “And remember that other people’s saliva can carry a lot of bacteria. So, uh, you know, no kissing tonight. Got it?”

Alek should have been bitter about that part of the prescription, but right now all he felt was confusion. He didn’t want to doubt himself for choosing poorly again. Except with his track record, how could he not?

Valentine appeared by his side, looking none the worse for wear.

“You good, Twos?” Alek asked him.

His teammate nodded. “It’ll take a lot more than that to take me out.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to follow your advice and talk to Sloane tonight. Do me a solid and give Sheridan the same courtesy, will ya?”

When Alek didn’t respond he continued.

“It’s nobody’s business if something is going on with you two,” Valentine said. “But Sloane was right earlier. You looked pretty cozy with your little family. Don’t let that jerk-off spoil it.”

Picard returned to the training room. “I didn’t have to go far up the chain of command,” he announced. “Coach suspended him indefinitely. They’re bringing up the wunderkind, Parker Dern, to fill his spot.”

“The seventeen-year-old?” Valentine looked as surprised as everyone else. “Is that even allowed?”

“He turned eighteen last week,” Henrik told them. He looked over at Alek. “He’s green, but he’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent. This will be fun.”

Alek wasn’t so sure about that. Then again, he wasn’t sure about anything right now.

“Looking forward to it,” he mumbled around his swollen lip as he stood. “I’ll see you boys in the morning.”

“I thought you wanted to have your back worked on?” Valentine said.

“I’m good,” he replied.

Gus followed him out. “Here,” he said as he pulled something out of his equipment bag. “Finn’s phone. It slipped into the cushions of the sofa. Good thing it rang when someone called him this morning, or it could have been weeks before we discovered it.”

“Someone called him?”

“Yeah. Three times from an unidentified number. Every time Gunner answered, whoever was on the other end hung up.”

“Probably a sales call.” Alek shoved it into the pocket of his jacket.

“Most likely. I turned it off so we could get through breakfast.” Gus placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve had a crazy day. Wanna get a beer and a slice of pizza?”

“Nah. But thanks. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m going home to take a nap.”

Gus nodded. “Sounds like a good plan. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you at the arena.”

Alek waited for his friend to drive away before he headed off in the direction of the pet shelters on the list Lori had given him.

Normally, it was Finn and Sloane who dropped off the toys.

It drove Lori crazy that he wouldn’t go with a camera crew.

This was Finn’s show, he would tell her.

It was easier than telling her he wasn’t really a big dog person.

Luke Kessler could have that slice of the charity pie, thank you very much.

Although, he’d put money on Sloane trying to dethrone him in the near future.

Right now, though, Alek didn’t want to go home. He had too many things to untangle in his brain. And his heart. Driving around town and dropping off pet toys would be a welcome distraction.

Two hours later, he pulled into his last stop. It was the emergency clinic where Hattie was recovering. Sheridan had texted forty minutes ago that she and Finn were Ubering home. There wouldn’t be any chance of running into them here.

The receptionist looked surprised to see him when he arrived with a trash bag full of pet toys. “Oh, your family already left,” she told him.

Your family.

Her words were like a knife to the gut. A few hours ago, he’d thought of them as one. Now, doubt ate at him. He needed to follow his own advice and talk to Sheridan. And he would. Once he figured out what to say. In the meantime, he could check on Hattie.

“I was out delivering these toys that fans donate at our hockey games,” he told the woman. “I thought I’d stop in and see how Hattie is doing?”

“Do you want to go back and see her?” She didn’t wait for an answer, instead pressing the intercom button and announcing his presence.

“I’m sure she needs her rest,” he protested. “I don’t want to disturb her. An update on her condition is fine.”

The vet appeared in the doorway. His toothy grin was still present even after a long day of rescuing pets. “You won’t be disturbing her. In fact, she was asleep when Finn left earlier. She’s been a little blue since she woke up and found him gone.” He waved Alek back. “Come on.”

Alek didn’t bother telling him Hattie avoided him at all costs.

It was easier to let things be awkward. Except the dog surprised him when they arrived in the recovery area.

Hattie hurried to her feet. She looked past him, but she didn’t retreat as she normally would have when she didn’t see Finn.

Instead, she wagged her tail tentatively.

“You’re welcome to sit with her. She’s still a little woozy, but she’s recovering nicely.” The vet scooted a giant pillow into the run where Hattie was recuperating. “I’m going off to check on our patients in the cat room.”

Hattie continued to watch Alek with a guarded expression in her big brown eyes.

He sighed. “Last night wasn’t a one-night fling, then, huh, girl?”

She wagged her tail with a little more gusto. Alek shrugged out of his coat.

“Down,” he commanded.

The dog lay down immediately, resting her snout on the edge of the pillow.

Alek chuckled. “How did I not know you were such a flirt?”

As soon as he was seated on the pillow, Hattie crawled forward so that her head rested on his thigh. He buried his fingers in the soft fur of her neck.

“I shouldn’t be surprised. You were Jamie’s dog once.”

He leaned his head back against the concrete wall behind him and looked up at the ceiling.

“Damn you, Jamie,” he whispered hoarsely. “If making me love them, then yanking them away is your way of screwing me over a second time, so help me, I will come up there and drag you down, right straight to hell.”