Page 117 of Ice Mechanic

“If you do, I’ll probably laugh.”

“It wasn’t something to laugh about.” Chance sounds about ready to throw a few more blows.

“Relax, Chance. I’ve been in garages my entire life. I know how guys talk.”

“Boystalk like that. Men should mind their words. Especially when the woman they’re talking about is mine.”

“That sounds very possessive.”

“I said what I said.”

My lips twitch. “My point is, there isnothingthose players can say about me that I haven’t heard before. I’m not a sensitive flower you have to protect. At least, not on the ice where it’s obvious they’re just mocking me to push your buttons.”

He says nothing, but I can imagine him glaring into the silence.

“It bothers me more that you let them usemeto get to you. I want to be your strength, not your weakness.”

The pause, this time, is even longer.

“Chance, you still there?”

“April, you keep talking like that and I’m flying back tonight. Forget tomorrow’s game.”

I snort. “Max will drag you back by the collar before you get to the airport.”

“How do you know him so well?”

“Just focus on tomorrow’s game, Big Shot.”

“Big Shot?” His voice rumbles with satisfaction. “I like it.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“You gave me a pet name.”

“It was an insult.”

“I think you’re getting soft on me.”

“I amnot.” I squirm when I catch my eyes in the rearview mirror and see a weird glint of interest. Prattling on, I say, “I mean it, Chance. Whether we like it or not, we’re publicly linked. As you can tell by all the testimonials people are leaving for the garage, I’m averytalented mechanic with a thriving shop. So at the very least, you shouldn’t embarrass me on the ice.”

Chance laughs loudly. “Oh, April. I miss you so much.”

My mouth clamps shut before I tell him the same thing.

“I’ll text you after the post-game celebrations,” Chance promises. “Call me before you go to sleep.”

“It’ll be like three am for you.”

“Call me,” he says firmly.

My heart tumbles like a turbine shaft in a storm. “Okay.”

We hang up and I press a hand to my chest. Why do I feel so warm inside? Is it because of that quick conversation withChance or am I still giddy after paying off dad’s nursing home bill?

Hoping for a distraction, I search Chance’s name online and look for his latest game. I want to read more about the fight he mentioned.

Immediately, millions of hits pop up under his name. But instead of finding articles about the Lucky Striker’s latest win, I find a more appalling headline.

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