Page 3 of The Perfect Snipe

A warmth spreads through me at his words. For a moment, I bask in the genuine praise. But I’ve heard it before from other teammates, the same ones who weren’t there during the hardest times. Like our relationship was limited to the ice only.

Practice ends a short time later and we head into the locker room. The air is thick with the smell of sweat and equipment, the sound of gear being shed and showers starting up filling the space. I grab my phone and send a text to my mother to see howthe kids are. Fortunately, they start winter recess this week, so they’ll be staying in Greenwich with her.

“Find a replacement for Bella yet?” Wyatt chucks his glove at me.

I grunt and shake my head, the stress of the situation pressing down on me. It's not just about finding someone to watch the kids. It's about finding someone I can trust, someone who can provide stability and care when I'm not there.

“What? Not talking because your team lost. You might have the perfect snipe but can’t beat my overall skills.” The fucker has the balls to grin at me.

“Virgin, your ego needs to be reigned in.”

Hudson pulls out his phone. “Maybe I should text Nora.”

Wyatt spins around. “Like fuck!”

I smirk. Not sure how his fiancée does it. He’s looking at me once again, waiting for an answer. “No, haven’t found anyone yet.”

“Don't worry. I've got the perfect solution.”

Wyatt's words fill me with equal parts intrigue and dread. The glint in his eyes doesn’t help. He’s up to something. But I trust him. He’d do right by me and the kids. Hell, the kids are over at his place a lot anyway since Nora’s helped out the past week being they’ve had school.

I quirk a brow. “Well, this should be interesting.”

He chuckles and winks at me. “Don’t worry. I got your back.”

I head for the showers, wondering just what Wyatt has up his sleeve.

Chapter 2

Cat

A nap. That's all I want, all I fantasized about on my drive home from work. With the week I've had, my body and mind are fried. The constant chatter of twenty-six third graders still echoes in my ears.

I love my job, I really do, but sometimes it feels like I'm herding cats instead of teaching children.

The one bright spot in my day is that it was an early day at school. No afterwork meetings. No parental phone calls. No professional developments. And no school for the next week.

Because it’s winter-freakin’-recess.

Plus, Nora is with Jake at therapy, which means I have the house to myself for a bit. Total peace and quiet. The idea of solitude is so enticing I can almost taste it, like the first sip of coffee in the morning.

I turn the corner to Nora's small rental house and groan in relief as the familiar sight of the pale blue siding comes into view. I heard life throws you curveballs. But a fucking fire at myapartment complex is a hell of one. I should be happy my unit wasn't completely destroyed and that most of my belongings are probably fine. But five months to renovate.

Carajo.

So now I’m sleeping on Nora’s couch.

I love my best friend. I really do.

But I’m a teacher for fuck’s sake, with a good salary. Crashing on her couch was not in my plans.

At least it’s only temporary, and nothing too life changing. Just a hiccup that’d be over come summer.

Hopefully.

I pull into the driveway and turn off my Audi Q4. God, I love this car. Between my grandmother and helping out with Jake, the SUV comes in handy. Not to mention the crazy ass winter we’ve had. The heated seats—and heated steering wheel—have been a godsend during the recent cold snap.

Once inside, I toe off my boots, relishing the feeling of freedom as my feet sink into the plush carpet. I hang up my coat, then drop my purse onto the coffee table before flopping down on my temporary bed, aka the living room couch.

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