Page 46 of Playing the Pucking Game

“Should we be worried about our boys getting injured on purpose just to get the hot new trainer’s hands on them?”

I spin around with a wide grin stretched across my face. My best friend is in the doorway, leaning a hip against the doorframe, her arms folded in front of her chest.

“Ready for that Mexican I promised you?”

“Been ready all afternoon,” I say, my stomach growling at just the thought of food alone, let alone tacos and margaritas. “Let’s go.”

I head toward the back of the room, which leads to our offices, and pause when Jarad’s voice hits my ears.

“Yes, sir?” I ask, stopping in his doorway.

“Less of the sir, please. It makes me feel old.”

“Sorry,” I mumble.

He waves me off. “Great work out there today. Your knowledge of our athletes is really going to help make this transition smoother.”

“I’ll do everything I can to make this as easy as possible.”

“I know Mitchell can be a little standoffish. He’s feeling threatened by your arrival, I don’t think that’s a secret. But he’ll relax. Just focus on your job. And just know, you can come to me about anything. My door is always open.”

“Thank you, si—Jarad. I appreciate that.”

“Now go out and celebrate. Things are about to get wild.”

Butterflies flutter in my belly. I can’t wait to get on the road and sucked in during games.

It’s going to be busy and exhausting, but I can’t think of anything better right now. It’ll push thoughts of my lost home, and the new one I’ve found myself in, far from my mind.

Arm in arm, Casey and I walk out of the main arena entrance and out into the evening sun toward my car.

After heading to our favorite Mexican, we eat our body weight in our favorite dishes and force ourselves to be sensible by only having two margaritas. It’s a school night, after all.

We have the best evening together, and she allows me to forget my worries in a way that no one else can.

But all too soon, I have little choice but to drop her off at her new home before heading to mine.

“The offer is still there to move in with us,” she says before getting out of the car, her eyes focused on my face, searching for signs that I’m going to agree.

“I appreciate it, but no. I’m okay where I am for now. After this away stretch, I’ll start figuring out my options.”

“Okay, well, the offer will still stand.”

She leans over the center console to kiss my cheek.

“But in the meantime, give that boy hell, P. He deserves it.”

You don’t know the half of it…

I watch her go, jealousy trickling through my veins when Kodie pulls the front door open a few seconds before she gets to it as if he was waiting for her, missing her.

One day…

Maybe…

With a wave and a forced smile, I spin out of their driveway and head home.

Home.