Page 7

seven

Lenni

D eflecting puck after puck from some of the best players in the NHL, gives me the confidence I need to believe I belong here. It also takes my mind off what happened Friday night and again Saturday morning.

"Run the play again," Coach yells from the sidelines. "If we stand a chance against the Norse, we need to make sure we run it tight and hold our lines. Lenni watch for Bowen on the outside, he's got a mean shot coming off the right side."

I take everything the coach says to heart, watching the puck gliding down the ice, shifting as the players move their bodies, waiting patiently until I hear the smack of the stick against the puck, knowing it's now my time to react. I shift my legs doing the splits blocking the puck from the net as my team cheers, the whistle blows ending the practice.

"Sick moves, Lenni, I'm glad you're on our side and not the opponents." Bowen slaps me on the back even though I blocked his shot earlier.

All my teammates have been super sweet, considering I only met them three hours ago. I've actually met everyone involved with the team except for the owners, who I'm supposed to have a meet-and-greet after practice with since they were busy with official team business before practice. I know it's only been one practice, but I feel like I truly belong here.

"Everyone hit the showers. "That's it for today's practice. I'll see you all back tomorrow at 8:00 AM sharp." Coach yells.

I accept a few more congratulations from my teammates before I slide off my helmet and skate to the bench to grab my water bottle before I hit the showers. Luckily, I'll be using a separate locker room to shower in.

By the time I gather my things and skate to the bench, the rest of the team had already left the ice. The closer I get to the bench—I notice three guys sitting in the stands behind the bench. I can't believe my eyes when I realized who they are.

"Elenna, what the hell are you doing out there on the ice?" I'd recognize Raiden's voice anywhere, but what are they doing here?

"Who are those guys?" I glance at the coach for answers, but she's looking through her playbook, unconcerned about the drama unfolding around her.

"That's Daylen, Raiden, and Kepler, the owners of the Iowa Poseidon." She barely lifts her head from her book to answer, confirming my worst fears. No wonder Kepler wasn't worried about not knowing where to find me when I left without giving him that information.

Shit, shit, shit, this can't be happening. I've worked my whole life for this moment, only to have it ruined. Coming face-to-face with a one-night lapse of judgment is something I'm not ready for.

Oh, who am I kidding? I would do that again with the three of them over and over if only my life were different.

The three guys work their way to the bench. Daylen and Raiden looking extremely angry and confused, while a smiling Kepler acts like it's no big deal.

"Daylen, Raiden, Kepler. This is our new goalie. Lenni Klum." Coach introduces me to the three men who gave me the best orgasms of my life.

"Lenni, you say?" Daylen's eyes bore into mine, "is that short for something?"

I don't want to answer, but the coach gives me a strange look, so I have to comply. "It's short for Elenna. But I always go by Lenni."

"Always?" Raiden asks.

I swallow hard, "Most of the time I go by Lenni."

"Well, Lenni, why don't you hit the showers and meet us in our office in fifteen minutes?" Daylen growls, causing the coach to give me another strange look.

"Yes, Sir. I'll see you in fifteen minutes." I realize my mistake of calling him Sir too late, as all three of their faces look like they want to eat me alive—in a good way.

As they turn and walk away, I try to do the same, Coach grabs my arm. "I'm not sure what that was all about." She waves her hand toward the retreating owners, "If you ever need to talk to anyone, you can either talk to me or I have some connections with the Minnesota Norse, if you want to talk to Teagan Hayes, the other female, in the pro leagues."

"Thanks, coach. That was nothing. Don't worry about it—it won't interfere with how I play. I'm committed to the Poseidon." I say, unsure if I'm trying to convince her or myself.

"That's good to hear, but remember hockey isn't everything," she says before walking away, leaving me more confused than ever.

Could I really make it work dating the three team owners?

I doubt it. My life doesn't work like that.