Page 20 of Penalty for Boarding

As I stride through the halls of the Fury’s training facility, my mind is still swirling with the remnants of our shower escapade. The lingering warmth of Calvin's kisses dance on my skin, and I find myself smiling like a giddy schoolgirl as I pass a few of the players. They shoot me curious glances, some teasing smirks, and I just raise an eyebrow in return, feeling a bit like I'm wearing a secret badge of honor.

“Hey, Dr. Angelo! You’re looking particularly radiant today!” a player calls out from his locker, giving me an exaggerated wink that makes me laugh.

I roll my eyes but can't suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “Save the charm for someone who actually wants your attention,” I call back, shaking my head at the answering laughter. The players might think it’s funny to tease and try to get a rise out of me, but just the thought of Calvin’s possessive grip from earlier makes any comment they say feel like a schoolyard taunt, too far removed from the reality of what I have.

As I step into my office, I’m met with the familiar stacks of files, medical equipment, and a whiteboard scattered with notes from last week’s evaluations. As the team's head physician, my day is usually packed with activity—assessing injuries, overseeing treatments, and collaborating with the coaching staff to ensure our players are in peak condition. But today, I’m met with a big, yellow post-it stuck on the outside of my laptop with the words, ‘GM’s office ASAP’

My stomach drops just a little. 'ASAP' never precludes good news in the world of sports medicine. With a reluctant sigh, I gather my things and make my way down the hallway, dodging players and staff along the way. The atmosphere buzzes with energy; laughter echoes off the walls, along with the slapping of sticks and some of the younger guys get a little too raucous while they wait their turn to get on the ice.

By the time I make it to the General Manager’s office, I’m caught between wondering what kind of disaster might await me and hoping it’s just a routine issue that can be solved with a simple band-aid—literally. I knock lightly on the door, and upon hearing a gruff, “Come in!” from inside, I take a deep breath and step over the threshold.

The GM, a broad-shouldered man with a no-nonsense attitude, looks up from his desk, his brow furrows slightly as he assesses me, and for a moment, I almost feel like I'm back in medical school being evaluated all over again. “Olivia,” he says, gesturing for me to take a seat.

Something in his tone sends a trickle of unease down my spine, a sense of foreboding settling heavy in my gut. I push it aside, pasting on a professional smile.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

He gives me a stern look. “You can sit. There’s something important we need to discuss.”

CALVIN

The shriek of Coach's whistle pierces the air, signaling the end of another grueling practice session. I glide to a stop, my breath coming in harsh pants as sweat drips down my brow. It's been a good day on the ice, my ankle feeling stronger than it has in weeks, my moves sharper, more precise. I have to attribute at least part of that to the gorgeous doctor who's been occupying my thoughts… and now my bed as of last night.

As I unlace my skates, Declan plops down beside me, a knowing smirk on his face. “Another impressive showing out there, Barrett. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to impress someone.”

I shoot him a look, trying to keep my expression neutral even as my heart kicks up at the mere thought of Olivia. “Just trying to prove I've still got it. Gotta keep you young guns on your toes.”

Declan snorts. “Right. It has absolutely nothing to do with the dopey grin that’s been on your face all week. Who is she?”

“Who says there’s a she?”

His brows shoot up. “OK. It can be a he. There’s no judgment here. I’m just saying I like seeing you happy, old man.”

I’m quick to jab him in the shoulder with a playful shove. “Just focus on doing your part for the next game, and let me handle my own love life, Declan.”

“Love life? Oh, so it is someone special!” he teases, wiggling his eyebrows. “Come on, spill the beans! I haven’t seen you grinning like this in…Shit. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you look happy.”

I roll my eyes, but the corners of my mouth give me away. “All right, fine. I can’t tell you who she is. But I can tell you that she’s brilliant and absolutely fierce.”

Declan leans in closer, his expression shifting from playful to intrigued. “What do you mean you can’t tell me who she is? Is she some other guy’s girl?”

“What? No. Never. I’d never cross that line,” I answer, a bit more heated than I mean to. The thought alone sends a surge of protectiveness through me. “It’s just… complicated.”

“Ah, the classic ‘it’s complicated’ situation.” Declan rolls his eyes dramatically. “Spill it, Barrett. Complicated usually means messy feelings and all sorts of drama waiting to unfold, and since we’ve got the playoffs in our sights this season, I kinda think you’d be better off keeping your head in the game.”

“Thanks for that terrible advice,” I retort, his words making me feel anxious when all I want is to scream from the rooftops that Olivia is the love of my life and that’s all that really matters. And while I can’t go and do that just yet, I can offer him this, “Look, all I can say is she’s headstrong, brilliant at her job, and knows how to put me in my place when I need it.”

Declan opens his mouth to retort but pauses when Luc limps over to join us, his knee still heavily wrapped after a nasty spill during practise last week. “Did I just hear you mention you’re seeing someone? Barrett, you dog! Holding out on us.”

“Well, get used to that,” I say, stuffing my skates into my bag with more force than necessary. “My personal life is just that—personal.”

Luc's eyebrows shoot up, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Oh ho! It must be serious then. The elusive Calvin Barrett, settling down again. Never thought I'd see the day!”

I stand abruptly, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “You know what? I've suddenly remembered I have somewhere very important to be. Catch you jokers later.”

I stalk out of the locker room to a chorus of good-natured jeers and wolf-whistles, shaking my head even as a small smile tugs at my lips. They're not wrong. Olivia has completely upended my world in the best possible way. But it's still so new, so precious. I want to keep it to myself for just a little while longer—or at least until we can both figure out how to bring this thing out in the open without it messing with our careers.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I nearly collide with Sara, the coach’s daughter and the Nighthawk’s marketing whiz, as I round the corner. “Woah! Sorry about that. Wasn't watching where I was going.”

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