Page 64 of Hockey Wife

“I like to have choices.”

“I’ve never seen so many men’s clothes. I can see why you leased this place. You needed storage for your habit.”

“If looking good is a habit, then it’s one I’m not gonna break.”

“It’s okay. You’re vain. It can’t be helped.”

His laugh was low and rumbly and went straight to her core. “You object to me looking fine?”

Not for a second. “I object to you spending that much time in a relationship with one person. Yourself.”

Another Banks laugh warmed her through. “You’d better get back and get our story straight.”

Our story. She’d do well to remember that was all it was: a fairy tale.

“Okay. I’ll hold back the hordes until you swoop in to save me.”

Another grunt, and he rang off.

Trish put her head around the door, which meant that she probably overheard some or all of that. “Need a hand?”

“As I haven’t gotten very far, probably yes.” She held up her phone. “Thought I’d better warn him.”

Trish smiled, her eyes whiskey warm, just like her son’s. “You two iron out your plan of attack?”

Alarm streaked through her. Just how much did Trish know? She wished Banks had been more up front about who was part of the inner circle.

“Now, why ever would you think we’d need that?”

“Oh, no reason, except you were a bit of a surprise. My son is not the most impulsive person. He’s always been the rock of the family.”

“Since your husband died.”

Trish nodded and moved to grab mugs from the cupboard. “It was a lot to put on him. Made him so determined to succeed, so he could provide for us all. He’s always been so unselfish and …” She paused, clearly trying to think of a way to phrase this without offending her new daughter-in-law. “This is kind of out of character.”

“But not out of character for me. I’m guessing you’ve done some research.”

Trish looked embarrassed, but not enough to hold off on the interrogation. “Did you really drive a golf cart into a swimming pool?”

“That’s old news. But … yes.” Dani’s voice echoed in her ear. Do it, G. All the way.

“It’s really none of my business.”

Georgia bit her lip. “Of course you’re going to be worried about your son. Here he is, stable as they come, and married to a wild child with a history of getting into trouble. I’d be worried, too. But you can be assured that’s behind me.”

Now I just ensnare innocent hockey players and force them to stay married for my own selfish, fucked up reasons.

Trish waved a hand that said she was drawing a line under it. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to suffer intrusive questions from your dreaded mother-in-law.”

“I get it, truly I do. He’s your baby and you want to protect him.”

Brow in a rumple, Trish seemed to think a moment before pulling Georgia into a hug as warm as it was surprising.

“Georgia, I get that this is awkward considering how fast it happened and that we haven’t had a chance to meet. Connie’s thrilled. She’s always worried about Dylan—the golden child, y’know?” She winked at that, which made Georgia relax a little. “So we’re going to do anything we can to make sure she’s not disappointed.”

Georgia tensed up again, which Trish sensed immediately.

“No, that came out wrong! Not that you would ever disappoint us. Just that, we all know this isn’t the real deal. All of us except Connie.”

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