Page 15 of Playoff (Toronto Blaze #4)

Be stupid

Alek

I was up too early again for someone used to the West Coast time zone, to pack what stuff I had at the hotel. Fitch was going to swing by and take me to his new place after practice. According to Fitch, Jessica had an office job, working Monday to Friday, so she shouldn’t be around

Despite that, I couldn’t wait. There’d been three more “messages” for me at the desk this morning. Probably a result of the press interview yesterday. I had them in my carry-on bag to give to Miller or whoever showed up next to ask about my family.

Once the packing was done, it was time to use that phone number I'd gotten from her. I paused, fingers hesitating over my phone. I didn’t want her to panic and tell her brother. But if something was going to bite me in the balls, I needed to know it was coming.

To hell with it.

Me: How can I believe you didn't know who I was?

I’d been thinking this over for too long last night. Her twin not only played hockey but had a grudge against me because my parents had ripped off his. That meant she was just as connected, and just as motivated to get her revenge or recompense from me.

But damn, I hadn’t gotten that vibe.

There was a long wait. She was probably trying to figure out who the contact Alek was. I got called by my first name so rarely that even I sometimes didn't realize who people meant when they said Alek.

Trouble: If you want to be recognized, you shouldn't shave all your hair off.

I snorted. She wasn’t giving ground. No need to hold my punches in case she wasn’t able to handle confrontation.

I’d give her the benefit of the doubt about the recognition issue.

It had taken a few days for me to recognize the man in the mirror.

I’d keep the possibility in the back of my head that she had known me, but I could let it go for now.

Me: Told you. I lost a bet.

Trouble: Maybe you should stop making bets

Did she play it safe, like the reputation her brother had? I’d believe the two of them were solidly on the straight and narrow, except that she’d come to my room. Let me fuck her. Enjoyed it. Without even asking my name. I didn’t know about JJ, but Jessica wasn’t as good as she appeared.

Me: Where’s the fun in that?

Trouble: Be stupid then.

Me: You really didn't know who I was.

Trouble: Duh! We'd just heard about the trade like an hour before. How did you get to Toronto that fast?

Me: Trade news was squashed till coach got back – he had a family member in the hospital. I flew out before it was announced.

Trouble: If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gone with you. I don't date Justin's teammates.

Was that her way of saying her brother might finally get violent if she did get with a teammate? Or would he just try something underhanded like Weasel? Wait, date ? What we had done wasn’t dating. We hadn’t even exchanged names.

Me: Just making sure you want to keep our hookup quiet

Trouble: Don’t worry. It’s our little secret.

I should be relieved. Getting involved with a teammate's sister was stupid. Plus, this was a family my parents had screwed over. I wasn't looking for anything serious, so it wasn't like we'd do it again.

But still, something didn't sit right. She was talking like the woman she’d looked like at the bar that night.

The one with the sensible, boring underwear.

But that wasn’t the Jessica Johnson I’d slept with.

Once the underwear was off, she was different.

Was she hiding that part? Why? Was her brother that judgmental?

Fitch said she had a job, but was she dependent on JJ?

Not my problem. Getting into a teammate’s private life was asking for trouble.

I sent back a thumbs-up emoji, determined to keep my eyes on my own paper.

The team was in a good mood at practice. It was always better after a win. Coach was on my case about playing more defensively, so I followed the drills exactly. Practice prepared you for the game, but those goals didn't count.

Fitch asked if I wanted to go out for lunch before we picked up my stuff and I agreed.

I wasn’t sure when checkout was at the hotel, and the team could afford to pay for an extra night or two, but I’d left my stuff at the desk to make my exit easy and quick in case someone was watching.

Once I was sure the two of us could room together, I’d get the LA people to ship the rest of my things north.

"Want to know all my bad habits?" I asked after we'd placed our orders at an upscale chain.

He grinned. "I see those in practice."

I rolled my eyes. "You gonna call me a remote hog?" Coach had used the term puck hog today.

"I keep my things tidy. Finding your stuff lying around will be a problem. In your room, do whatever you want, but pick up in the shared spaces."

That was easy enough. "I don’t like mess either."

He nodded. "I cook."

"Sounds good. I can cook, but I don't love it. I’ll clean up if you make meals. I've always had someone come in to clean the place weekly."

He smirked. "I've asked around for recommendations."

I moved my glass. "I won't bring people home for parties, because I don’t do that during the season anymore. I take my conditioning seriously. But I’m not a monk. Is it a problem if I bring women back?"

Naked Jess popped into my head and I had to shut that down fast. She was one person I’d never be bringing over.

He narrowed his eyes. "How noisy are you?"

"I can use headphones for music and watching movies— Oh, you mean when I've got someone with me?"

He sighed. "Ducky and Katie—cute couple but they were loud."

Ducky was young, and the two of them probably were going at it like rabbits. I bit back a grin. "I'll keep the noise down."

"I'll do the same."

Interesting. "So you and Rowena—totally done?"

His smile vanished. "Edmonton was the nail in that coffin. I wanted a chance at the Cup, which is why I signed with Edmonton. She said she'd give it a try, but she hated it. Went back to LA, because she cared more for the place than for me."

"That sucks."

"It does."

"But you're back out there now, dating-wise?"

"Nothing serious until I'm done with hockey. It'll be easier."

"Totally agree with you on that." At least the nothing serious until I was done with hockey part. I had no plans for after. I’d have to deal with that problem sometime, but hopefully as far in the future as possible.

He offered to carpool till I'd found wheels, which sounded good. Living where we didn’t get snow, I'd always had sports cars, but the road conditions here were not conducive for my baby back in LA and the thought of what the road salt would do to her was horrifying.

We were heading out on a road trip to Florida next, but after that it was time to car shop.

We agreed to order food from a grocery that delivered and split the costs.

So far, Fitch sounded like a decent roommate, and I’d get my stuff sent up as soon as possible.

I could and would buy new clothes for the climate, but I wanted my pictures, my games, my bedding and towels.

I wanted a place to feel like mine again, even if it was just the bedroom.

He passed me a copy of the keys. I’d seen pictures of the condo, and I wasn’t fussing over the decor. It was only for the rest of this season and then I’d see where I got signed for next year. It was unlikely to be Toronto.

Ducky was only twenty-four, and my bet was that he’d recover and be playing again next fall. The Blaze didn’t have space for both of us. I was a playoff rental, so I wasn’t putting down roots. No roots, no relationships, no weight to tie me down.