Page 155 of Ice Mechanic

“I am not interested in getting to know you, not because of your occupation or your lackluster background. It’s because you won’t be around next year.” She wags a manicured finger. “See, I know how this will end. Your relationship will implode on its own, without any effort from me.”

Her words are sharp enough to cut. Outside, I keep my expression steady but, on the inside, my confidence shakes.

“You see, Miss Brooks,” Corinth’s heels click on the floor as she looms over me, “the mistress you should fear is not another woman.” Her eyes flash knowingly and she offers a prim smile. “It’s hockey.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-FIVE

CHANCE

After the gala,I take April home. She claims to be tired so I drop her off at the guest room, press a kiss to her forehead and force myself to walk away.

Mom barely shows her face the next morning and skips out on lunch due to a mysterious ‘prior arrangement’, but at least dad and my sister make up for mom’s coldness. They’re both warm and accommodating to April.

Dad drives us back to the airport and hugs April so fiercely, it’s like he’s sending his daughter off to war.

On the flight, April is quiet and contemplative. While I want to press, I leave her to her thoughts and sort through my emails.

Derek sent a barrage of potential brand deals. How does he expect me to play hockey and keep such a full schedule? I won’t have any time to train, to date April or even to sleep if I do them all.

On the bright side, the cloud of bad press from my suspension is fading away like sunshine after a heavy rain. If these deals are any indication of public sentiment, I may be getting good news soon.

After dropping April off at home, I head back to the hotel. It feels ridiculous to still be paying for a room here and I make a mental note to look for houses ASAP. The closer to April’s, the better.

I crash into bed and I don’t rise until the next morning for early practice.

“Good to have you back, Chance,” Max says, his bear-like hand swinging into my back in a friendly pat.

“Saw your pictures online, McLanely. You look good in a monkey suit!” Theilan calls in-between drills on the ice.

I laugh and shake my head.

When I sit down to put my skates on, Max is beside me. “How did your mom react to April?” He asks in a low voice.

Max is well aware of my mother’s… temperament. His family situation is similarly complicated, except it’s his dad that has the high expectations, while his mom is always smoothing things over between them.

“As well as can be expected,” I admit, tying up my laces.

“That bad, huh?”

“Mom just needs time. In a couple years when April and I are married with kids?—”

“Kids? Whoareyou, McLanely?”

A silly grin crosses my face. “You’ll get it when you fall in love too.”

“Love? No thank you.” Max shudders. “I have my hands full.” He gestures to the hockey team on the ice. “I can’t afford to be distracted with all this chaos.”

I push to my feet, balancing expertly on my skates. “I wasn’t looking for April either, but once I found her, there was no going back. It might be like that for you too.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I’m happy for you, Chance. If anyone can make the long distance thing work, it’s you and April.”

“Long distance?” I arch a brow.

Max freezes and I watch as his soul flees his body for a second. “Uh, I mean… the long away games.”

“No, that’s not what you meant.” I narrow my eyes. “You know something.”

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