Page 40 of Body Check

Something about that makes me grin. I’ve missed a decent chunk ofGetting Pucked’s first episode, and as I wait for the sting of regret to settle in, I pull open the Safe Space group chat that Jackson added me to. My grin only widens.

Harrison: Holly? Are you there? Did we scare you off?

Beaumont: Pretty sure that Jackson can take the blame for that one. Him and his clogged throat on TV.

Hunt: Look at that massive forehead. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Andre—you park cars on that thing???

Unknown Number: Park or pahk the cah?

Hunt: The rookie thinks he’s got Boston jokes.

Unknown Number: I DO have jokes.

Hunt: How’s this for a joke, Kammer? Me, you, at dawn, pisto

Unknown Number: Pisto? Is that a new pasta sauce?

Hunt: No, it’s called my wife asking me to let the dog out and I couldn’t threaten you and be a good dog-dad all at once.

Unknown Number: #whipped

Beaumont: #dontbejealousrookie

Unknown Number: I don’t know about Kammer, but I’m jealous about the dog. I need a new apartment that allows animals.

Harrison: Anyone notice that Jackson has disappeared and Holly has yet to comment?

Unknown Number: Maybe she muted us.

Hunt: I noticed.

Bordeaux: I notice.

Beaumont: Bets, right now, that they’re on the phone.

Harrison: Ten bucks.

Beaumont: Cheap bastard.

Hunt: Fifty.

God, they’re ridiculous.

And after so many years of knowing them, they’re family, too. But like with all family, sometimes what they don’t know won’t hurt them.

Me: Hello boys. Unfortunately for all of you, I’ve been watching the episode with my team. Not sure about Jackson, but if you want to transfer that money over to me . . . I wouldn’t be opposed to the extra cash ;-)

I pocket my phone, then head back to where I left Carmen and the rest of my staff.

My talk with Jackson tonight . . . the way my heart felt lighter than it has in years? I’m not willing to share any of that, not just yet.

14

Jackson

My eyes are locked on the puck when I’m hit by a goddamn tank.

Fitzgerald, one of Philly’s D-men, cedes no mercy as stars dance and black webs crawl across my vision. The force of his body check slams me into the boards, my helmet glancing off the Plexiglas, the crowd beyond it roaring with applause as I blink rapidly.

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