Page 119 of Playing the Pucking Game

It was awkward as hell. The air between us was charged, and there were many questions we wanted to ask, but as the session came to an end, everything went unsaid. It still does now, and I’m happy to leave it that way. He said more than enough that night. I don’t need to hear anything else. It’ll only make it all worse. The memories are more than enough.

He took to the ice on his first game back with vigor, and as well as ensuring Handsy had another shutout game, he added two goals to our score, helping us win the game three to zero.

Our winning streak has continued since, increasing our lead and clinching a playoff spot almost inevitable at this point.

The guys are on fire. They’re healthy, and everything is looking fantastic.

I wish I could say the same for Rett and the Bandits, but they’re still struggling, and Rett is getting increasingly frustrated.

With each day that passes, I love my job even more. The guys on my treatment list are incredible; they treat me with respect, they listen, and they embrace everything I throw at them.

When we’re at the arena, Brooke and I almost always meet for lunch, whether that’s in the on-site restaurant or heading out to get a breather. Our friendship is growing, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have another fierce woman in my corner.

“I’m destined to live with my parents for the rest of my life now, aren’t I?” Freya complains after we’ve had a round of strawberry daiquiris delivered to our table at a bar a little down from the building we just ran from.

“Absolutely not,” Casey assures her.

She groans and takes a large sip of her drink.

Freya grew up in the house next door to Casey. She used to babysit for Casey, and me, if I was hanging out, when we were younger. She moved to Las Vegas after graduating from college and worked in a cocktail bar for a while before falling head over heels in love with a musician. He swept her off her feet and she followed him everywhere—until a couple of months ago, when he decided that he was done with her and she was forced to return home with a broken heart.

She’s been back at her parents’ ever since, trying to figure out what to do with her life now.

I feel for her. She gave up everything to be with that asshole and he just discarded her like a piece of trash. It’s just more proof that men can’t be trusted. And apparently, it’s not just professional athletes who are happy to rip out our hearts and stomp on them until they’re unrecognizable.

Freya continues talking about job interviews she’s had, all of which have been a bust. The problem seems to be that she doesn’t have a direction. She’s lost at sea without a map, and I fear that until she figures out which way she wants to go, nothing is going to change.

My cell buzzes on the table, and my eyes drop to find a Tinder notification.

“I thought you’d sworn off men,” Casey pipes up.

I confessed to her about my failed attempt to meet Henry last week and told her I was done.

While I might have been happy to tell her about ditching my hookup at the last minute, I kept what happened back at the apartment to myself. No one needs to know about that. Hell, I wish I didn’t.

Every time I allow myself to remember, I get all hot and this fluttery feeling starts up in my stomach. The same thing happens when I see him. But much like everything else I don’t want tothink about, I keep trying to shove it all into a box and close the lid.

I did it all those years ago; I should be able to do it again, right?

“I have. But it’s fun seeing all the disappointments I’m not going to waste my time on.”

Picking up my cell, I open the app and stare at the profile picture of the guy I’ve been matched with.

“He’s hot,” Freya says, leaning over the table to look.

“If you’re interested, I’m sure I can hook you up.”

“Absolutely not,” she states. “I’m with you. Happy to window shop, but I’m not buying anything. Hell, I’m not even trying anything on.”

“I’d love to try something on,” I complain, slumping in my seat.

“So go and do it. Women can have one-night stands too,” Freya says innocently.

Casey turns to look at me, but I don’t return her attention.

“I know. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share. I just…I don’t know. It’s not as appealing as it once was.”

“I guess when you can get a battery-operated dick to do the job just as well, what’s the point?”