Page 27 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“I have you, Uncle Davy,” Travis joked – but realized that his uncle was serious. The reporters, the fans, all of it, was getting to be a bit much.

“Maybe I just need to buy like fifty acres out in the country and hide.”

“Don’t let my brother hear you say that,” Becca joked. “How do you think my family ended up out in the middle of nowhere.”

“He’s only kidding, Miss Becca,” Davy volunteered distractedly, letting the car ease forward just as Travis suggested.

But was he? Was he kidding?

Because it was starting to sound slightly appealing – especially if he could commute, his body wouldn’t hold up forever, and there was nothing wrong with playing ‘the long game’ and planning ahead for the day when he couldn’t play eventually. Even if he got traded off next season, if he owned property, he would always own it. Property was the one thing that didn’t expire or simply vanish.

“Yup,” Travis said simply, placating his uncle for the moment. If he changed something up, he would need to make sure that it worked for everyone because his uncle had been exceedingly good to him over the years. And Becca… well, it might be a little too soon to plan for things like this when he still owed her that macaroni and cheese.

“Miss Becca, where’s your car parked, sweetie?” Davy said suddenly, setting off warning bells in Travis’s head.

“I’m in the parking garage in the distance and…”

“Uh, she can come home with us.”

“Travis, you need to rest…”

“I can rest with you there. We can hang out and talk or…”

“I have to get to work too. I’ve already taken a few days off,” Becca said softly, moving to hold his hand. “Here, you can sit up now, I think we’re clear of them for a few minutes.”

Travis sat up immediately and looked at her, not really ready to say ‘bye’ because, the last few days, he had slept quite a bit due to the pain medication. None of this was anything ‘date-like,’ allowing them to getto know each other… and before he could protest, she smiled at him.

“How about next Friday night, we have that macaroni and cheese you promised me. You’ll probably be feeling much better.”

And Travis sighed, conceding defeat because she was right.

“Next Friday?”

“Yes – and we can continue to talk, text, and figure this out.”

“You got it,” he said quietly, leaning forward to gingerly press a kiss to her cheek as she shied away slightly, looking at him.

“You’re worried about your breath – and I’ve not showered in two days. You don’t sniff me, and I won’t sniff you,” she chuckled nervously – and heard Davy join in, reminding him they had company.

“Fair enough,” he agreed. “Text me when you get home, okay?”

“Will do.”

“And thank you, Becca, for being here. I really appreciated it.”

“It’s what girlfriends do, remember?” she teased softly, smiling at him. “See ya.”

“Bye.”

CHAPTER 10

BECCA

Well,trending on Twitter and making the front page of several gossip columns was never on my bucket list,Becca thought painfully as she looked up to see photographers outside the store where she was working. Thankfully, when she explained everything to her boss, he let her do inventory in the back… but how much inventory could a sane person do?

Yup. There was no hiding things now. It was all over the news and seemed to be on everyone’s lips, no matter where she went.

The North Texas Coyotes beloved center player, Travis Giroux, was seen getting cozy with a mysterious woman after his injury…

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