Page 67 of Melting the Ice

Fuck. I was distracted right now when I needed to be focused on finishing out this game with a win.

Someone hit my shoulder, and I glanced up to see Tally looking at me. “You okay, man?”

“What? Yeah. Fucking great,” I said as Dom and the rest of our teammates on the ice skated by to tap their gloves against ours.

“You sure?”

“Yup. Never better,” I muttered, then I turned my attention back to the ice. “Let’s finish this,” I called out, focusing on the only thing that mattered right now.

The game.

***

I raked my hand through my wet hair and read her text again.

Josie: You were amazing out there. Great game.

Josie: Can you meet me in office D after you’re done with your post-game stuff?

What was she up to, and why did it make me want to rush through my shower and media to get to her? Luckily, I wasn’t pulled in to answer any reporters’ questions, so escape would be soon.

Micah: Give me fifteen.

Micah: Everything okay?

Josie: Yeah, yeah. See you soon.

I ignored how weird the request was. I just wanted to take every moment with her that I could get since we were flying out to Winnipeg tomorrow for our next road trip and would be away for five days.

“You coming to Tipsy?” Tally asked as I headed for the door.

“Yeah, probably. Just have to get Josie,” I said.

“I’m glad things are going well for you two. I like her, and I definitely like her for you,” he said. “You need someone to shake you up a bit.”

“Um, thanks?”

He chuckled. “I meant that in a good way.”

“I’m not that boring,” I muttered.

“No. Never,” he deadpanned. “You’re not boring, just a bit uptight sometimes. You’re smiling and laughing a lot more.”

“Well, damn. I didn’t think I was as grouchy as Santa.”

“No one is as grouchy as Santa. Or at least, how he used to be before Anna.”

“I need a beer and shots. We ready?” Sin threw his arm around Tally’s neck.

“I have media, and then I’ll be there,” Tally said.

I ducked out of the room before anyone else could stop me and headed toward the office where Josie was mysteriously waiting.

“Hello there,” she said as soon as I opened the door, and I tried not to swallow my tongue. She was leaning against the desk, her legs bare, with just my jersey on. Her hair was braided to one side and falling over her shoulder.

Fuck me, she was beautiful.

She twirled the end of her braid. “So, I was thinking about getting some D in office D.”

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