Page 60 of Defensive Zone

“It’s amazing and accurate.”

“Whatever you want to tell yourself, man. About that and about Gabi. Fend us off all you want, but you’re clearly interested, and by the way she was looking at you at Lanzi’s, she must be certifiable.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re insane. Takes a special or crazy someone to take that on. But I like her and so does Riley. Don’t screw it up. Ava would never forgive you.”

“Jeez, no pressure.” He paused. “Not that there would be any pressure since nothing’s going on.”

Nessie laughed. “Keep telling yourself that, man. So I got the icy water. What are your plans for Sully and Dom?”

“A master never shares his secrets. Enjoy that ice bath. It’s good for sore muscles. You looked like you were struggling with the weights today.”

“Fuck off, man. No need to insult me because I made a few observations that you aren’t ready for.”

“Just looking out for my bestie.”

Nessie chuckled. “Whatever you need to tell yourself. Now, get out of here. Riley’s calling soon.”

“Ooh, stick that ice in the freezer now. You might need it later.” He wiggled his brows before he walked out of the room.

More like Nessie shoved him out of the room. So pushy.

He headed back to his room and climbed into bed and debated calling Gabi. He wanted to hear her voice and see her face, but did she want to talk to him?

Fuck. How had she made him awkward and questioning everything? He usually had better game.

Instead, he called the front desk from his cell phone. The night desk clerk greeted him.

“Yes, this is Domenic Tremblay in room three ten. I wanted to set up a wake-up call for five a.m.”

“Sure. I can make a note of that.”

“And can you call again at five fifteen? I’m a terrible morning person,” Max said.

“Absolutely,” the clerk said.

Max grinned as he hung up the phone. They were playing the other Florida team tomorrow night, so it was a quick flight and no one was getting up before eight.

Well, except Dom, of course.

Then Max grabbed the breakfast card and filled it out for his good friend and teammate. Twelve hard-boiled eggs, extra crispy bacon, pumpernickel toast, grapefruit juice, whole milk, a bagel with cream cheese and extra lox, and a fruit cup with yogurt.

Sounded delicious.

He slipped out of his room and made his way to room three ten, swapping out Dom’s breakfast door hanger for the one he’d filled out. He hoped Dom was hungry at six a.m. A full hour after his wake-up call would give him plenty of time to fall back asleep right before breakfast was delivered.

Max snuck back to his room and climbed under the covers with a grin.

One day they would learn not to mess with Prank Sinatra.

“Can we go? Can we go?” Connor asked, bouncing up and down in the kitchen.

“As soon as your mom’s ready, we can,” Gabi said, bustling around the kitchen, packing snacks and water bottles.

“Mommy, hurry up,” Connor yelled.

“Connor. Don’t rush her,” Gabi admonished.

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