Page 6 of Tough Score

"He's right," Seven says. "I never thought I'd say this, but you need someone to help you disengage for a couple of months before you burn out. Buying a beach house to get away for the summer wasn't enough as it turns out."

I want a wife and kids someday—the family that I never had after my parents divorced. I was too little to remember Christmas or birthdays as a family in Alaska.

It's in the long-term plan.

I'm not like Lake and Seven. Nothing in my past has sworn me off relationships, marriage or kids. For me, it's in the timing..

I've been fixated on hockey and my career to a level that some might consider unhealthy. But to be the best, you have to train like it's your life. At this point in my career, I'd make someone a terrible husband—I'd never be home.

If I thought Sam wouldn't kick me out, I'd probably set up a cot in the locker room and live, eat, and sleep hockey.

Call it an obsession,call it an addiction. Call it whatever you want as long as you call me the best that ever lived.

I want the legacy that Coach Bex, Sam Roberts, and Seven Wrenley all have.

When the day finally comes for me to retire, I want to be known as one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game.

And it's not as if I haven't dated. My last relationship ended a year ago, and we had been together for a little over eight months. She needed more attention than I could give her, so she ended things, and I was relieved. Being in a relationship while trying to focus on the playoffs was a huge distraction, which is why I'm steering clear of relationships until after I raise that Stanley Cup over my head at the end of this season.

Is it cold that I wasn't affected by our breakup? Maybe, but ever since I was young, I've only wanted one thing— to win a hockey championship.

"You ladies done checking yourselves out in the mirror yet?" Coach Bex asks, already dressed in his suit. "Media is waiting. Let's get out there. The sooner we're through with press, the sooner we can head to Oakley's. I need a drink after that overtime. That was too damn close."

Brent's completely dressed and walks up to Coach Bex, tossing an arm over Bex's shoulder.

"You're coming out with us tonight?" Brent gleams.

"If you take your arm off of me, I'll think about it," Coach Bex says.

Brent just chuckles.

Coach Bex is wound tight but for some reason, Brent thinks he's close to cracking. I'm not so sure.

I respect Bex Townsend.

We all do.

He has the most Stanley Cup wins of any player on this team. He won three championships as a player before he retired, and Phil Carlton begged him to come back and coach for him, offering him one of the highest-paying salaries for a coach in NHL history.

Before Coach Bex walks out with Brent, Bex turns to glance over his shoulder at me.

"That was a hell of a shot tonight, Aisa. You made your team proud."

It's all he says, and then he turns and heads out of the locker room's double doors.

Brent gives me a wink and a nod as if that was some confirmation that the days of Coach Bex being a hardass are numbered.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Receiving praise from both Wrenley and Townsend on the same night shows that staying focused on my career instead of my personal life is the right decision. It's where I should be.

Domestication can wait for when I can give a woman the attention she deserves.

And that night isn't tonight.

Instead, tonight, I’ll celebrate with my team.

Chapter Three

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