Page 34 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

He leaves the kitchen, and I stay behind a few seconds. I picture Ruby waking up and finding the flower. I hope it brings a smile to her face.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Do You Have a Special Lady in Your Life?

Macklin

We are suiting up for our game in Wisconsin when I get a text from Ruby.

Ruby:Good luck and thanks for the flower.

Me:What flower?

Ruby: Very funny, Mack. I know it’s a periwinkle blue iris and it’s beautiful.

Me:How do you know it’s a periwinkle-colored iris?

Ruby: What’s with all the questions? Just admit it was you.

Me:It was me.

Ruby:I didn’t take you for a romantic.

I didn’t know I had it in me either.

Me:Lol

I’m not about to tell her she brings it out in me.

“Dombrovsky, what’s up with you?” I look up to see Hayden watching me curiously.

“Nothing.” I tuck away my phone like it’s on fire. “Why?”

“Because you’re smiling like a damn fool.” He cackles. Hayden and I always ride each other, but in a friendly way. “Are you in love?”

I scoff, “As if.”

“I think we have enough with the captain being in love.” Luc laughs.

“Fuck you.” Finn laughs, and he gives him the finger.

“Come on, if you guys all end up dating, we won’t have any wingmen,” Aaron complains.

“Nah, bro, you still got me,” I tell him since I don’t want anyone to think I’m off the market, which I am.

“Cool.” Aaron fist bumps me.

“Are we going to go out after the game?” Luc asks.

We don’t have time to answer since Coach Heaton enters the locker room.

“Okay, listen up. We need to win this game to guarantee us a spot in the Frozen Four. We’ve practiced the plays. You know their weaknesses. Everyone, do your job,” he directs with a firm voice that accentuates each word.

“Yes, sir,” most of us reply at the same time.

Then Finn gathers us in a huddle. We do a little cheer followed by some grunts. We all head out to the tunnel. Charlie, who is Ruby’s best friend, is here. She and Finn worked things out and somehow, she managed to get her job back as the team social media coordinator. She films us sitting on the bench. When we get the all clear, we head onto the ice for some stretching.

Charlie comes around with her phone to record warm-up. I wish Ruby could have come along this weekend too.

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