Page 21 of Risky Move

“What, no hockey sticks yet?” Cassie teased.

“Give them six months!” Caryn responded from the kitchen.

“Maybe basketball?” She watched as Jenna heaved the ball up into the air.

“That or maybe a quarterback.” Tom caught her eye with a wink. “What if neither pursues athletics?” he taunted his brother.

Andrew didn’t look at him as he rolled the ball back to Jenna. “In the unlikely event that occurs, I’ll encourage them to find something they enjoy.” He glanced at Caryn. “We know the pitfalls of trying to plan a child’s future.”

“Amen.” Caryn looked at Andrew with a knowing smile.

Cassie walked into the kitchen. Watching Andrew and Caryn interact always made her long for her own someone to share that kind of love.Caryn told me she wasn’t much older than I am when she met Andrew. She didn’t meet him at college—though they bumped into each other on the campus. Andrew just cut across her path on his daily run…So freaking romantic. And random.

“What can I do to help, Caryn?”

“Since Jenna and Daniel are happy for now, would you mind cutting up the banana? Otherwise, you-know-who will just mash it around on his tray.”

Cassie giggled. “My mom has a picture of me feeding myself SpaghettiOs…I was literally covered with them and had decorated the tray and the floor. They started putting a plastic tarp under the highchair to protect the wood floor!”

“Maybe we’ll skip the SpaghettiOs,” Caryn said. “Though, I guess any pasta has the same potential.”

“Spaghetti’s easier to throw,” Andrew warned.

Cassie exchanged a look with Caryn before they both laughed. She enjoyed working in the kitchen with Caryn. They chatted about all topics, especially when they were alone.

“Have you and Amelie talked recently?”

“She got the job she applied for at that boutique. It’s close so she can walk.”

“Maybe she gets a friend and family discount?”

“I’d enjoy that!” Cassie lowered her voice. “Her brother nearly had a stroke when she applied at The Center Ice Lounge. Isn’t that the place where the team goes after games?”

Caryn nodded. “He probably didn’t want her to cramp his style or hookup with someone on the team.”

“But isn’t there some kind of code like ‘Don’t date another player’s sister?’”

Caryn laughed. “You’d have to ask Dave or Andrew…nieces and nannies may fall on that list, too.”

Cassie chuckled. “No doubt.”At least she didn’t mention brothers or doctors.

12

Tom’s introduction to the Suns as the arena’s in-house concussion expert ended up a non-event. Those who had been on the team when his brother was injured spoke in a positive tone. He read the“It’ll never happen to me”expression on the young players, and a hint of combativeness from the veterans new to the team.

“This some new bullshit from the commissioner?” Chance Gagné grumbled.

“That’s a hard no,” Captain John Peterson replied immediately. “This initiative originated in the Suns front office. The league concussion spotters don’t have the expertise to properly recognize the more subtle signs of a concussion.”

“I’ve gone back on the ice with my equilibrium questionable. You learn to fake it, right?” Steve Rogers said. “If you’ve read the stories about athletes diagnosed with CTE, it’s not a joking matter. Remember the player who committed suicide because he couldn’t tolerate the cumulative effect?”

“And those who retired after multiple concussions,” Jason Hart added. “Many don’t want to take the chance of permanent damage. This is serious shit.” He addressed the younger players. “No more pressure to suck it up and push yourself when you know you’re notright.The Suns front office has our backs. I, for one, am grateful.”

“See if you feel the same when Ekstrom gets yanked during a game.” Gagné didn’t hide his skepticism. “You know you’ll do everything you can to prove you’re okay to get back on the ice.”

“I would expect nothing less,” Tom said. “Keep in mind I’ll be working with the visiting team. We will evaluate everyone with the same criteria. Hopefully, not too often.”

“Don’t bother trying to bribe him,” Andrew said. “I already got shot down.”

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