Page 93 of Offside Attraction

Jordan stopped short in the hall. Anne and Tina. Those were Rhonda’s friends.

Hey?

Anne

Sorry to weird you out. Just wanted to say, we’ve never seen Rhonda like this

Tina

What Anne’s trying to say is: if you hurt her, we will kick your ass

Jordan laughed out loud.

I’ll kick my own ass

Tina

Perfect

Anne

Okay. That’s all

Jordan gave that message a thumbs-up, then continued to the nurse’s station. Never seen her like this. He’d take that.

Chapter

Twenty-Six

Rhonda

Rhonda pulledinto the parking lot of the Ice Centre, the moonlight glinting off the man-made plowed snowbanks that lined the edges. It was mid-December, the kind of cold that bit through your coat and made you wish for the warmth of a fire and a hot drink. She stepped out of her car, her breath puffing out in clouds, and pulled her scarf tighter around her neck.

Tonight, she wasn't there for practice but for the annual white elephant party. It was a tradition, one that felt especially poignant this year. In so many ways, her life had shifted, and Rhonda was beginning to feel more settled in herself than she ever had before. Every routine moment seemed brand new.

Things with Jordan hadn’t been perfect since Lethbridge, but that almost made it more so. If something happened and she tightened up, didn’t talk to him for a couple of days, he was right there when she was ready. She had gone to the tire shop, but she wouldn’t let him pay for even a snack in the vending machine. She did, however, allow him to buy her dinner. Twice.

Since Sunday, they’d been texting and calling every day, but she’d shown up early for this white elephant party for one reason and one reason only.

Rhonda scanned the parking lot. No truck. She thought about waiting in the parking lot, but Kelty had just pulled in and spotted her. She waved, and Rhonda joined her to walk into the lobby where they were meeting everyone after practice.

"Hey, you two!" Emma called out and ran toward them. Apparently everyone was early. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Rhonda gave her a hug. “You promised there'd be rum and eggnog."

Emma laughed, and when Rhonda looked over her shoulder, the prompt attendance suddenly made sense. Delia Melise was standing next to Jack, who was in an animated discussion with Fly. Rhonda had only met Fly once. Used to be the captain of the Snowballs before Sean.

Jenna ran up and yanked her attention from the celebrities. “I have to talk to you.” She pulled her away from the group.

“I thought Delia was still on tour?” Rhonda hissed.

Jenna nodded. “She is. They just flew in for today, and then I think Jack has a game in Oregon or something. She’s heading out to New York.” She stopped next to the windows and whirled, her eyes gleaming.

“Jenna—”

“We have a baby.”

Rhonda’s heart dropped into her pelvis. “What?”

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