Page 32 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

The relief that floods through me is so intense I actually have to sit down on the bench for a second. She's okay. We're okay. I'm not about to lose the best thing that's happened to me since I learned how to shoot a puck.

"Good news?" Jamie asks, appearing beside me like the nosy bastard he is.

"Just my mom," I say quickly, shoving my phone back in my bag. "Checking in about weekend plans."

"Your mom checks in during practice? That's... actually kind of sweet."

"She worries."

"About what?"

"Everything. My stress levels, whether I'm eating enough, if I'm getting enough sleep. Standard mom stuff."

"Huh. Speaking of your mom, she called me yesterday."

"She what?"

"Yeah, she wanted to know if you were seeing someone because apparently you mentioned a girl during your last conversationand then got all weird and secretive when she asked follow-up questions."

Double fuck. I don't remember mentioning anyone, but knowing how my brain works when I'm thinking about Tessa, I probably said something without realizing it.

"I never mentioned anyone," I say, which is probably true.

"That's what I told her. But then she said Emma's been asking questions too, and you know how your sister gets when she thinks you're hiding something."

Triple fuck with a side of we're-completely-screwed.

"It's nothing," I insist. "Ma's just being Ma. You know how she gets about me being alone."

"Mm-hmm." Jamie gives me that look he gets when he knows I'm full of shit. "Well, just so you know, Emma's coming home this weekend specifically to investigate because, and I quote, 'Dax is terrible at hiding things from family and I'm going to figure out what's got him acting like a lovesick teenager.'"

I drop my head into my hands. "Jesus Christ."

"So either you come clean about whatever's going on, or you prepare for the Spanish Inquisition, Kingston family style."

"There's nothing going on," I repeat, but even I don't believe myself anymore.

"Right."

Have I really been that obvious?

"You're imagining things," I say instead.

"Am I? Because I've been your roommate for five years, and I know all your moods. This isn't your normal 'hockey's going well' mood. This is your 'someone's making me happy and I'm trying not to think about how much I like it' mood."

Sometimes I hate how well Jamie knows me.

My phone buzzes again, and I can't help but smile when I see Tessa's name.

Tessa

Are you free this afternoon for a legitimate mental performance session? I think we should discuss your leadership role and how pressure affects decision-making.

Absolutely. Professional consultation only, of course.

Tessa

Of course. My office at 3?