Page 42 of Sin Bin

“She already had it,” Logan said around a mouthful of chicken. “She got the job.”

“Hey, that’s great,” the others enthused. “They didn’t waste any time, did they?”

“Nope.” Logan couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “It was her second interview. She made such a good impression that they called first thing this morning to offer her the job.”

Viggo gave him a sly grin. “So she’ll be moving to Denver, huh? I bet you’re happy about that.”

He was over the fucking moon, but he wasn’t about to admit that either. “I’m happy for her,” he said, playing it cool. “She’s been temping for six months, so this job couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“What does she do?” Reid asked.

Logan told them about Jupiter’s new position, her professional background and her passion for helping children.

“She sounds like an extraordinary woman.” Hunter smiled, lifting his drink to his mouth. “I look forward to getting to know her.”

Logan chuckled. “She’s really smart and into science. I’m sure you two will get along great.”

He was struck by the realization that Jupiter might have more in common with Hunter than him. It was an unnerving thought. For the first time ever, he found himself questioning whether good looks and money were enough to offer a woman. Specifically Jupiter.

The unfamiliar feeling of inadequacy prompted his next words. “I’m thinking about getting a college degree.”

A stunned silence fell over the table. His teammates couldn’t have looked more shocked if he’d announced he was hanging up his skates to become a priest.

Their reaction made him scowl. “‘Gee, that’s a great idea, Logan,’” he snarked. “‘You should totally go for it, man. We know you can do it.’”

The others laughed.

“Sorry, bro,” Viggo said ruefully. “You just caught us off guard, that’s all.”

“Seriously,” Reid agreed. “No offense, but in all the years we’ve known you, you’ve never shown any interest in going to college. You definitely weren’t interested last summer when Viggo and I took that business entertainment course at Harvard. And you rag on Hunter every time he can’t hang out because he has to do homework or study for an exam.”

Logan chuckled. “Dude has dual degrees from Yale. Getting a master’s seems kinda pointless.”

“Except it’s not.” Hunter put a forkful of grilled salmon in his mouth and chewed slowly, studying Logan across the table. “I think it’s awesome that you want a degree. But why the sudden change of heart?”

Logan shrugged, uncomfortable under everyone’s scrutiny. “None of us will be playing hockey forever. I need to start preparing for what comes next.”

As one of the highest paid NHL players, he was making more than enough money to live comfortably when he retired. But money wasn’t everything. Which was something he wouldn’t have believed twenty years ago when he and his mother were living on food stamps, barely scraping by.

“I think you should go for it,” Reid said encouragingly.

“Absolutely.” Hunter gave Logan an approving look. “You’re multilingual, well traveled and open to exploring different cultures. Going back to school will make you even more well-rounded. It’ll also set a good example for the kids you mentor.”

Logan nodded, forking up the last bite of waffle. For the past four years he’d mentored juvenile inmates at a local youth detention center. He didn’t do it because he wanted to be anybody’s hero. He just figured since Santino Tavárez had saved his life, the least he could do was pay it forward.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for grad school,” Reid admitted. “The season’s brutal enough without adding college coursework. And I don’t need anything else cutting into my time with Nadia, especially once we get married.” He grinned, all but rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Hunter and Viggo chuckled.

Logan rolled his eyes. The Rocket was just as pussy-whipped as Sandström.

“I’ll revisit grad school after I retire.” Reid smiled wryly. “Nadia has her master’s, so I definitely don’t want her leaving me for some asshole with more letters after his name.”

Everyone laughed.

“At least you have a bachelor’s,” Viggo pointed out. “You could’ve turned pro after one year, but you stuck it out and got your degree. Graduating with honors from Boston College is nothing to sneeze at.”

“Especially as a student athlete,” Hunter added. “Balancing the demands of academics and athletics is incredibly challenging. Not everyone can do it.”