Page 97 of Hockey Wife

The Hubs

Where are you?

Georgia

Just running an errand.

The Hubs

You’re supposed to be home resting.

Home. She’d never get used to that, which was good because that warm, syrupy glow in her chest was almost as dangerous as hearing Banks call her “wife.”

Georgia

I’ll be there soon!

The Hubs

Don’t make me come looking for you.

Oh, she shouldn’t like this feeling, having someone worry about you for all the right reasons. She shouldn’t but she did. Her parents weren’t to blame for putting Dani first, but Georgia couldn’t deny the hurt their neglect had caused. Having Banks fuss over her was nice. She should take a puck to the head more often.

Everyone needed that kind of TLC, but with limited resources, we tended to focus on the ones who needed it most. An illness created all sorts of collateral damage to a family. It wasn’t just that people had to give up jobs or never got the chance to have date nights with their husbands or go shopping for sensible shoes.

Her brain was ticking over, the seed of an idea seeking out the sun.

Her phone rang, and she steeled herself for another call from Banks, who had left three messages already before the texting began. It was her mom.

“Hello?”

“Darling, are you okay?” Her mother sounded a touch frantic. “Caroline Wilkins said you were hit by an ice hockey ball last night. I only just heard.”

“I’m fine, honestly. It wasn’t a big deal. Just bad luck.”

Her mother offered a tentative, “Was it … Dylan?”

She laughed. Wouldn’t the press have loved that? “No, Mom. Another player. Purely an accident.”

“Well, accident or not, I expect it’ll still get negative media attention. One of those viral things.”

Georgia stiffened. Did her mother think she had attracted that puck with her magnetic, partying personality?

She took a quick look at Debbie, who was trying on some loafers with—ugh—tassels. She shook her head to signify stern disapproval and returned to her mother. “It’ll die down soon enough.”

“I hope so. I’m not sure that’s the image we want to cultivate for the new foundation. You’ve been doing so well since news of your marriage got out. Much more like the Georgia of old! Now, did you get the meeting request from Emily? We need to get the media release out soon.”

Damn. “I did, but things are kind of busy right now. Banks’s family is in town, the playoffs are taking all our focus, and …” I have an idea for something different. Something special.

Her mom cut in. “If you can’t make the meeting, we’ll reschedule. Again. We also have to discuss the wedding reception. Can you send Emily a list of invitees for Dylan’s side? And shoot her some dates for dinner.” She muttered something to someone else, probably poor, overworked Emily. “Darling, I have to go.”

“Okay, Mom?—”

The line had already gone dead.

Debbie held up a pair of classic, but incredibly boring Calvin Klein slingbacks. “Will these do?”

“Do you like them?”

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