Page 91 of Ice Me Baby

He shrugs with a small smirk. “I guard a post and hit hockey pucks.”

I hear shuffling and notice the others moving in closer. There are two people in particular I notice missing. “Maxy and Fenni!” My eyes widen in realization that Samantha and Dannielle were supposed to be induced a few days ago.

Taz smiles. “They’re good. The babies are great, and Moms are healthy. They wanted to wait for you to wake up before they visited.”

“Right, that makes sense. What is today?” I have no sense of days or how long I’d been gone.

“It’s been about a week and a half since you were kidnaped and brought to the hospital. You’ve only been here for three or four days, I think,” Dean says helpfully.

I groan and close my eyes. “You’ve had two games since then.”

“Don’t worry. Danni has been taking care of us. She says your notes are always helpful,” Vicy says from his spot on the edge of the bed.

It’s been weeks since the incident, but the guys haven’t left my side for even a moment. Emmitt was taken into custody, but his dad is trying to work his magic and grease some palms to get him out. With the amount of evidence against him, though, I don’tthink it will happen anytime soon. To be honest, I just want it over and to forget everything.

Today is the day before Christmas, and all I want is to get back to work with the team. Since I left the hospital, the guys have had several games, and I had to watch with the wives. I don’t mind watching or the wives, but I miss my guys and working with the team.

I’m jerked from my thoughts when my phone rings. I look down to find Max’s face on the screen. When did I take a picture of my boss to put in my phone? Then, I remember that Taz had stolen my phone to take pictures of everyone so their face would pop up when they call.

“Hey, Boss,” I say with a laugh. “What are you doing calling me the day before Christmas?”

“We’ve got a problem, Elizabeth,” he says seriously. I start to worry, but I see a smirk pulling at his lips even though he tries to hide it.

My brows still knit in worry, and I sit up straighter. “What’s wrong? Did one of the guys hurt themselves? I can head right over if you need.”

He chuckles before saying, “Always ready to work. I hope you can keep up that same energy when you come back to work after New Years.”

I let out a squeal and do a little happy dance in my seat. “Are you serious?”

“Danni has done a great job with your boys, but it seems they want their athletic therapist back.” He huffs out a laugh. “They’ve come into my office enough times, pleading for me to bring you back. I told them you needed some time to recover and heal.”

Oh my gosh! This is the best Christmas present ever! “Yes! Yes, I would love to come back.”

“Good. I’m tired of having ten hockey players traipsing in and out of my office, constantly bothering me. I’ll see you after New Years, Elizabeth.”

“Thank you, Max!”

He hums before saying, “I should be thanking you. I’ve never seen my boys as loyal to anyone as they are to you. You should count yourself lucky.”

My cheeks hurt from grinning so wide. “I’m the lucky one, boss.”

“I’ll see you then, Liz,” he replies before hanging up.

I jump from the couch with a squeal of happiness and do a dance in the middle of the common house’s living room. The guys have practically refused to let me out of their sight or move too far away. And it’s not even Mac and Dean who are the overbearing ones.

Doors slam in the hallway, and I look over my shoulder to find six guys standing in the hall staring at me, eyes wide.

“What the fuck was that about?” Taz waves a frantic hand in the air, gesturing wildly.

Vicy presses a hand to his heart. “You cannot scream like that.”

“What had you screaming like that, Roe Roe?” Tuck asks.

I lift my phone in the air with a wide smile. “Max called and said he wants me to come back to work after New Years!”

The guys cheer as Dean and Mac come up to me with a smile. Both squishing me in a group hug. Mac chuckles and whispers, “I’m glad you’re coming back.”

Dean hums. “We’ve missed you.”

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