Page 109 of Released from the Sin Bin

We’ve won three games in a row. If we keep winning, we’ll have a shot of qualifying for the Frozen Four.

Willa has been settling nicely into her coaching role, and is more confident in stepping in to train us.

After our game, I told her to wait for me. She has so much going on with classes, coaching, physical therapy, and now the therapy sessions with Dr. Birch that we haven’t had much time to hang out. I don’t want to overwhelm her. The most I can do is to be here for her.

I come out of the locker room, but don’t see her anywhere. Looking down the hall, I notice her large gym bag on the floor next to the doors leading to the rink.

She’s sitting in the empty stands, staring longingly at the ice.

“Have you tried to put on skates again?” I come up, trying not to scare her.

“I’m taking it slow,” she answers without looking at me. “I put on the skates at home in my room, and I sit here or on the bench with them next to me. I haven’t tried to skate again yet.”

I climb up the stands and sit next to her.

“Dr. Birch says I should try again with you.”

“Do you want to try again?” I ask carefully.

“Yes. I think so.” She looks down and I notice her skates on her feet.

“Whenever you’re ready, you let me know.” I grab her hand that’s resting on the chair armrest between us.

“I don’t want to think about it anymore.” She bends down and undoes the laces to take her skates off. “Can we do something fun?”

“Something fun that doesn’t include hockey or ice? In this town?” I rub my chin as if I’m thinking it over. “Car sex was fun. We can do that in a different—”

She slaps my leg before I can finish.

“I’m serious.” She picks her leg up to push her foot into her winter fur-lined boots. “I’d even settle for a game of laser tag that Luca would always insist on doing.”

“Nope, I know something better than that.” I stand and hold my hand out to help her up.

She takes my hand, filling it with a warmth that soars straight to the block of ice inside my chest.

“It can’t involve getting naked,” she warns me as I lead her out.

“Damn, way to destroy the night before it gets started.”

She gives me that look as we walk out the door, telling me she’s not going to take my shit tonight.

Driving into town, she knows exactly where I’m headed.

“Tacos again? You spoil me.” She gets out of the car before I have a chance to run around to open the door for her. “I’m not sure how many tacos I can eat after the pizza I had for dinner,” she adds with a rub of her flat stomach.

“They have an event tonight.” I hold the door open for her and lead her in with a hand on her lower back. “I didn’t bring you here for a second dinner.”

“That’s disappointing.” She frowns while reading the sign by the door for the event. “Paint night?”

“What? It’ll be fun.” I take her hand and lead her to the area they have sectioned off for the event.

“I don’t know about this. I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” She drags her feet as she follows me.

“If it’s a bone you want, I have a big one I can give you.” I wink over my shoulder.

“Oh god.” Willa laughs with a shake of her head. “That was bad, even for you.”

That’s because it’s been a while since I got laid, and I have sex on the brain. Specifically, sex with Willa, but I’m taking it slow.

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