Page 5 of Knotted Laces

I shove down the frustration and the disappointment, the feeling that the loss is my fault. I know shit happens, that it was all of us out there on the ice, so it’s not solely my fault, same as I know we’ll regroup and keep moving forward—mostly because we’ve found a way to work together over the last months to cinch the top spot in our division.

Last place in the league to roaring into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, that momentum seems to have come to a screeching halt.

Same as the unity we cobbled together in the locker room is beginning to unravel.

Pat laughs like Duncan is the most hysterical comedian in the world.

Unity? What fucking unity?

We have those two idiots. Along with hotheaded Kane, Lazy Matt, Asshole Anthony. All of whom are looking around for someone to blame who’s not themselves.

Ugh.

Sometimes my job sucks.

Especially whenIfuck up and theyshouldblame me and?—

King exhales, nudges his knee against mine. “Shake it off, yeah?”

“I’m good,” I mutter, but I knowheknows it’s bullshit. Thankfully, though, he doesn’t call me on it further—just shoots me a look and continues getting changed.

“It’s one game, boys,” Rome says, taking off his frustrated player hat and replacing it with his captain one. Focused. Steady.Good.That’s Rome. “There are two more in the series,” he adds. “So there’s plenty of time to knock ’em out.” He tears off and tosses his own jersey in the bin. “We just need to calm down and stay focused, to keep playing our system and grinding it out.”

Except the Grizzlies are now up three games to two.

And if they win one more, our Cinderella season—last place to first, and a real contender for the Cup—is over.

I exhale, trying to take Rome’s words to heart.

He’s right. We have time.

We just need to chill. To focus and play our game and keep moving forward.

But all of his calm confidence still makes me want to smack my friend. He’s self-assured. He doesn’t waver. He just puts his head down and keeps driving toward his goals. Exactly the same way the Eagles’ owner and Rome’s future father-in-law, Jean-Michel Dubois, does.

Probably why they get along so well…

And why Jean-Michel didn’t have Rome killed for daring to touch his daughter.

Or propose to her.

Or move in with her before they officially tied the knot.

The tension in my shoulders loosens.

I betthatwas a fun conversation.

Grumpy billionaire with a decidedly scary edge having to face the fact that his baby girl is all grown up.

Thank God Rome has all that calm confidence—he can walk into the dragon’s den and come out unscathed.

Now, if only I can channel some of that.

And stop thinking about that fucking play.

I’m still struggling with that as Cassie, who works in Game Day Operations (or basically, who works in the gets-to-boss-us-around-most-of-the-time-and-we-just-shut-up-and-follow-her-lead department), pops her head in through the door. “Media coming in.”

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