Page 13 of My Athlete Neighbor

"Really, I'm tired. Tell the guys great game."

The drive home was jarringly quiet after the arena's energy. Her apartment felt empty. She changed into pajamas and tried to read, but her mind kept drifting to the party. To Kane.

Her phone buzzed.

Wish you were here to celebrate.

She stared at the message, emotions warring in her chest. Part of her wanted to text back something flirty, maybe suggest a private celebration. But that was the loneliness talking. Another part whispered doubts. Would he be texting if the team had lost? Was she just the lucky charm he needed for a playoff push?

The apartment chat group pinged with party updates. Pictures of the team celebrating. Comments about their improved play. Theories about the puck's magic.

Pauline says you had story time tomorrow. Very responsible. Unlike Dmitri, who's currently trying to teach the entire defense ballet moves to use on the ice.

A smile tugged at her lips despite her doubts.

Please tell me someone's recording that,Allison texted.

Oliver's got it covered. Though Coach might kill him if it ends up on his channel. Thanks for bringing the puck. The guys really needed this win.

And there it was. The puck. Always the puck.

Glad I could help.She set her phone down, hugging a pillow to her chest. The victory should have felt sweeter. The team was winning. Kane was texting her. So why did it feel like she was setting herself up for another heartbreak?

Her phone buzzed again.

Hey. You okay? You seem quiet.

She thought about the way he'd looked for her before warmups. How his eyes had found hers after the goal. The private smile meant just for her.

But she also remembered Jesse's smiles. His attentiveness. How quickly it had all changed once he got what he wanted.

Just tired. Congrats again on the win.

Get some rest. Dream about my goal.

Despite everything, she laughed. He was making it very hard to maintain her emotional distance.

The phone lit up with another message from the building chat:

Mrs. Peterson:Just finished another lucky scarf! The team wins when I knit during games. I'm thinking a nice navy and silver afghan would make a lovely wedding gift...

Allison groaned and turned off her notifications. She definitely didn't need to see Mrs. Peterson planning wedding gifts in a group chat that included Kane. Not when she wasn't even sure if his interest would survive a loss.

Still, as she drifted off to sleep, she found herself remembering that moment after his goal. The way he'd searched for her in the crowd, like sharing the victory with her was more important than celebrating with his teammates.

Maybe that meant something.

Or maybe she was falling for another hockey player's charm, setting herself up for an even bigger disappointment.

The puck sat silently in its case, offering no answers. Just the weight of expectations and superstition, pressing down on whatever was growing between her and Kane.

Her last thought before sleep claimed her was that love shouldn't feel like luck. It shouldn't depend on winning streaks or magical pucks or a grandfather's legacy. But her heart wasn'tlistening to logic anymore. And that terrified her more than any hockey game.

Chapter Six

Afew days later, she walked into the apartment complex's fitness center. But she'd forgotten about hockey players and their ridiculous practice schedules.

Kane was already there, his broad back to her as he did pull-ups on the bar near the window. Dawn hadn't quite broken yet, and the dim lights cast dramatic shadows across his shoulders. He wore a sleeveless Charm City Chill training shirt that showed off arms she'd been trying very hard not to think about since their kiss in her apartment.

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