Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

Blake

The day after we get home from Alaska is pretty mellow. Practice was only an hour, I got some laundry done and then took a nap. Rowan is picking me up on her way home from running a few errands, and I’m going to stay with her for the next couple of days.

Game one of round two isn’t for three more days, on Friday in Las Vegas, and since it’s a quick flight, the team is leaving Thursday morning. There will be a practice Thursday afternoon and Coach’s plan is for us to rest on Friday. A seven-game series can be physically grueling, and he wants us to be in as good of shape as possible.

Marty Nadeau will be back in the lineup, which means one of the guys from the Rebels won’t be dressing for the game. My gut tells me it’s going to be Bodi, but I don’t plan to say anything since that’s way above my pay grade. I feel bad for him, but they can only dress twenty-three players and unlike me, he hasn’t been overly effective since he got here.

I’ve been killing it out there, still earning the most combined goals and assists in the first round. Canyon is only one point behind me, but all I care about is that I’m ahead of him. And that says something, because Canyon is a top scorer in the entire league, not just on the Phantoms.

Despite all the late nights with Rowan, I’ve been focused on my game, napping, eating right, and watching video to stay on top of any mistakes I’ve made on the ice. And that’s one of the things I love about Rowan. She understands what this means to me and doesn’t get upset when I have to watch video when we’re lying in bed or at breakfast. I love being with someone I don’t feel like I have to put on a show for. Dating is hard, generally speaking, especially in the beginning.

That’s not the case with Rowan. We’re starting over and getting to know each other again, but there’s none of the awkwardness you find when you don’t know someone at all. We have history. Memories. And so much in common. A decade of distance hasn’t changed that, and it feels good.

That’s the problem with us—how easy it is to be together.

It was always easy.

And nothing has changed in that department.

“Hey, beautiful.” I get into her SUV when she pulls up, tossing my duffel in the back seat.

“Hi.” She turns as I lean in to kiss her.

“I have a favor to ask,” I say when she pulls into traffic.

“If I can.”

“You said you were making lasagna tonight… is that right?”

She nods. “It’s already prepped in the fridge. I just have to put it in the oven, but it’ll keep if you have something else in mind?”

“No, I just…” I hesitate. “If there’s enough, do you think we could invite Bodi to join us? He’s pretty bummed. Coach called as I was walking out to tell him he’s not dressing for game one in Vegas.”

“I wondered if that would happen,” she says. “And yes, of course. There’s plenty. I make a big one so there are leftovers, but I’m happy to share. Invite him. Give him my address and tell him to be there at six thirty.”

“Thanks, babe.” I type out a quick text to Bodi.

“You still a fan of brownies?” she asks me.

“Of course. Why? Are you making some?”

“Does Bodi like them?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Then yes. I’ll throw them in when we get home. Then I’ll put the lasagna in after.”

“Sounds awesome. You don’t have to go to a lot of trouble. Bodi and I are pretty easygoing. Just the fact that there’s food is plenty.”

“Brownies are super easy, and I don’t get to entertain much, so indulge my girlie side. It doesn’t come out very often.”

“I think you’re very girlie,” I say, running my hand up her thigh until I get to—“Especially here.” I gently cup her mound. Then my fingers travel north. “And here.” I run my hand over her breast before dragging my fingers up and putting them in her mouth. “And when my cock is in here…”

“ Stahhhp ,” she pleads, groaning. “You’re going to make me have an accident.”

I laugh. “Just making sure you remember that you’re all woman.”

“I just mean I’m not the most domestic woman in the world. If you’re looking for someone who cooks and cleans and bakes—that’s not me.”

“What makes you think I’m looking for anything other than what you are? And from where I’m sitting, the fact that you make lasagna from scratch sounds like you do cook.”

“Yeah, but the brownies will be from a box. I have a cleaning service that comes because I’m too busy to spend my rare days off cleaning. And I usually only cook a few times a month.”

“There’s no shame in any of that.”

“I know, but a lot of guys are turned off by that. At least, they have been in my experience.”

“Then obviously those weren’t the right guys.” I lace my fingers through hers. “If guys are intimidated by a strong, independent woman, then they’re not real men.”

“That’s nice to hear, because no matter how strong you are, it’s always hard when a guy tells you you’re not what he’s looking for.”

“You’ve had guys tell you that?” I’m surprised but I probably shouldn’t be.

“I guess that’s what happens when men think you’re strong and independent.”

“Well, fuck them. It’s their loss and definitely my gain.”

Dinner with Bodi is fun.

He arrives with a bottle of wine which we’re drinking, and he’s hilarious, full of stories about incidents on road trips, with groupies, even with his family.

“…and then my mom walks in and all she can see is my bare ass, up in the air.”

Rowan dissolves into laughter as Bodi grins.

“Your mom had her hands full with you,” I say.

“And I’ve got four younger brothers that keep her on her toes.”

“Four?” Rowan gapes at him. “That’s a lot.”

“Yeah, but most of us are adults now. Bradley’s twenty-two. Beau is twenty. Benjamin is eighteen, and Bentley is fifteen, so he’s the only one still at home.”

“Do they all play hockey?”

Bodi nods. “They all play, but Bentley is the only other one who’s serious about it. He’s in the Major Juniors now, so we’ll see what happens. He’s still growing, but he’s really good.” He pauses. “Better than me, for sure.”

There’s an awkward silence, the light-hearted mood gone.

“Anyway, I should probably get going,” he says. “Leave you guys to whatever you’re going to do tonight.”

“Sleep,” Blake and I say in unison.

“Jesus, you’re already reading each other’s minds?” Bodi shakes his head. “You better watch that in front of the team—people are going to notice how cute you are together.”

“You think?” Rowan asks in alarm. “Has anyone said anything?”

“I haven’t heard anything yet, but yeah, whenever you two are near each other, it’s like there’s electricity in the air. It’s kind of inappropriate.” He’s joking but there’s an air of seriousness to his tone.

It’s like he’s giving us some kind of warning.

Which is ironic since players don’t have a fraternization clause in their contracts—Rowan and I already checked.

“How can it be inappropriate if no one has noticed?” Rowan asks, giving him a weird look.

“I’m just saying if I noticed, other people eventually will too.”

“Then I guess we’ll try to be less gross,” I say dryly.

Bodi flushes. “Sorry. I’m just being a dick because I’m in a bad mood. I shouldn’t take it out on you. Thank you again for dinner, Rowan. It was amazing.”

“You’re very welcome,” she replies. “And don’t worry—I’m sure Coach Vanek will put you back in.”

He lifts one shoulder. “Nothing I can do about it either way. I’m just glad I got to play a few games. Anyway, see you guys at practice in the morning!”

There’s an early practice tomorrow, which means we need to get some sleep, so Rowan and I are naked ten minutes after Bodi leaves, making love in front of her fireplace.

Even though it’s May and warm outside.

Simply because we thought it would be romantic.

And she seems to be enjoying my romantic side.

“Guess what we’re going to do when we have down time in Vegas?” I ask as we lie there wrapped in a blanket on the floor.

“What?” she asks lazily.

“We’re going to watch Godzilla . But like, you know, actually watch it this time.”

She bursts out laughing. “The same version from ten years ago?”

“Of course.”

“That sounds fun.”

“I figured we were due a do-over on that.”

“You know we’re going to wind up naked, one way or another.”

“Sure, but that’ll be our goal—to see how much of the movie we can watch without getting naked.”

“I’m game.” She rests her head on my chest, which is one of my favorite places for her to be.

I don’t know how I’m going to keep from falling in love with her.

Hell, I don’t know if I ever stopped.

The ten years we were apart feel like ten minutes when we’re together like this.

But even if she loves me too, the road ahead is going to be complicated. Between my uncertain future in hockey, the no fraternization clause in her contract, and the inevitable trust issues after how much I hurt her before, I’m not sure how she could possibly think this—and I—are worth it.