Page 49 of Hockey Wife

He shook his head, his gaze skimming her bare shoulder before he dragged it away. “You keep it as long as you need it.”

“Thanks,” she whispered with a shaky step back.

She didn’t dare dip her gaze, so instead she backed out, doing her best eyes-up-here, conscious that one look at that barely knotted towel draped over those slim hips would have her drooling.

Or casting a spell to make it drop.

“Sleep well, Banks.”

“Later, Georgia.”

16

After a decent showing in Dallas and a not so sparkling performance in LA, the Rebels have to be asking themselves if the addition of veteran center Dylan Bankowski is worth the money. He might be good at taking a team to the playoffs, but he’s never been all that reliable in the home stretch. Despite these misgivings, Banks, one of the game’s perennial bridesmaids, has played adequately for his new team considering he must be distracted by his abruptly more interesting home life. A young bride who craves so much attention has to be a tough proposition for a player past his prime. Let’s hope, for the Rebels’ sake, that the new Mrs. Bankowski lets her husband get his rest as the business end of the season wraps up.

– Curtis Deacon, Chicago Tribune

* * *

Banks turned the heat down on the stove and checked the team’s text thread, which could usually be relied upon to conduct a thorough analysis of the hockey media’s latest hot take.

Kershaw

That Deacon fucker. Bast should have laid him out properly when he had a chance.

Baby Durand

Ignore him. It’s just click-bait.

Kaz

Still, Banks, make sure you get plenty of naps over the next few days.

Kershaw

Hey, let the guy enjoy his honeymoon.

Durand Senior

They got married months ago. The honeymoon has to be over by now. Right, Banks?

O’Malley

Is this what we do on the text thread? Trash talk a fellow player?

Banks grunted. Don’t need your defense, kid.

Bond

O’Malley, Banks is a big boy and your participation in this group text is probationary. Read the room before you try moving the furniture.

That made Banks smile.

Banks

Are we still on for cards at Hunt’s place tomorrow?

The Swede

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