Page 64 of Learn Your Lesson

I was somehow able to focus enough not to let another puck past me, but I still wasn’t playing at my best. I knew it. My team knew it. Coach sure as hell knew it, and with one squeeze on my shoulder as I passed him on the way back to the locker room, he warned me that I needed to figure it out.

We had a home game tomorrow against Miami, who hammered us the last two times we played them. It was becoming a joke now, that they were our kryptonite, the one team we couldn’t win against.

Add in the fact that one of their veteran wingers loved to chirp me and had a knack for getting under my skin, and weallknew I needed to be in the best head space to win tomorrow.

I went up to the team gym for a long bike session, telling myself I’d be fine.

By the time I hit the shower, I was convinced I needed to get laid by whatever means necessary. Clearly, my hand wasn’t doing the trick. And if I went another week wound this tight, I’d spiral.

I was even desperate enough to actually go out to Boomer’s if I had to.

But when I dressed and made it to my car, all I wanted to do was go home.

I was halfway there when I remembered that Ava was having her first sleepover tonight.

The realization made my foot slip off the pedal, my car slowing until I cursed, shook my head, and started driving again before anyone could honk at me. My heart started racing. My mind spun with thoughts that were as dangerous as they were impossible to stop.

Ava was gone for the night. She was sleeping at Charlotte West’s house for her birthday. She’d actually beenexcitedabout it, which I had no doubt was thanks to Chloe and the strides she’d made with my little girl.

I was picking her up tomorrow after morning skate.

Chef Patel had made cupcakes for Ava to take with her, and she’d also pre-made dinner and put it in the fridge for tonight at my request.

Chef Patel had the night off.

My Chef and my daughter would both be gone.

Which meant…

I swallowed as the implications set in, and I wondered how I didn’t realize this little tidbit when I’d first agreed to the sleepover. Chloe and I would be alone.

Then again, Ihadtold her to take the night off, too.

Maybe she’d take the chance to go sleep at her own place — to get away from me for the night after a week of awkward silences and very clear avoidance.

Maybe she’d go spend time with her family.

Maybe she’d go out with coworkers, or with friends.

Maybe she’d be out on a date.

Even as I thought the options, my heart pounded faster with what I knew was the truth.

She’d be home.

Atmyhome.

It would just be me, and her, alone.

When I hit the gas with a little more gusto, I knew I was literally driving myself crazy.

Because when I flew through the front door of my home, I marched straight through it and out to that pool house with only one thing on my mind.

No Kissing

Chloe

So, here’s the thing about my littleRedditpost.