Page 18 of Pucked and Pregnant

“My point exactly.”

One of the refs grabs my shoulder.

Before he even opens his mouth, I say, “Five minutes?”

“You’re damn lucky it’s not a suspension,” he says sternly. “Now get off my ice.”

The sin bin is like my church. Every time I’m in the box, I end up contemplating my life choices.

When the doc comes and cleans me up—no stitches or super glue this time—I find myself in a Zen state. It’s almost like I’m hovering over the ice as I watch the last minutes of the game play out.

Connor manages to score in the last ten seconds, and I end up cheering so hard that my lip splits back open. Instead of going out and celebrating on the ice with my team, I’m getting patched up again by the team's very tiny, and very angry doctor.

At this point, I could parrot the lectures she always gives me right along with her, but I don’t. I respect her too much to sass, especially since I know she means well.

At least there’s a plus side to missing the last five minutes of the game. I’m definitely going to be featured in Liv’s post-game analysis tonight.

That pleasant thought carries me through the press conference, the meet-and-greets with fans, all the way to the spa tub in my hotel room.

I must have dozed off, because I’m woken up by pounding on my door. There’s only one person it could be, well, three, actually, but since we all seem to share a brain I think that still counts as one.

I throw a towel around my waist and open the door.

“Where’s Max?”

“Good evening to you too, Dimitri. I’m feeling pretty great. Thanks for asking,” Aiden says sarcastically, shouldering his way into my room.

“He got caught up with the coaches so I brought the takeout this time,” Connor says, holding up two bags. “Ordered from Rice and Roll since we liked it so much the last time we were here.”

“Sushi?” I laugh. “No wonder he’s pissy.”

“You would hate sushi too if your partner in college made you lie completely naked covered in the stuff for her final project,” Aiden grouses.

“You know good and well I got you a burger and fries, you uncultured swine,” Connor heckles.

“Snob.”

“A little, yeah,” he admits, making them both laugh.

Then he sets his sights on me. “Will you go put some clothes on so we can eat? We’re close, but we’re not naked-on-the-couch-eating-sushi close.”

I flip him the bird but do what he asks anyway.

By the time I get back, the food has been doled out, the post-game show blaring on the TV.

“And welcome back to Hockey Highlights on your favorite channel and mine, True Sports. I’m your host, Drew Parker, and joining me today is Pro Rink’s newest pro analyst, Olivia Winters.”

I know I see her every time I’m over at Max’s place, but seeing her all made up for the cameras hits me differently.

She is pulling out all the stops for this interview. Olivia is by turn charismatic, flirtatious, serious, zealous, and academic, and damn if she doesn’t nail it every time.

Jealousy burns in my chest every time she laughs at one of Drew’s stupid jokes, making me feel like I’m sixteen again and vying for her attention. The grumbled comments of my couch mates tell me I’m not alone in the feeling.

Never have I been more grateful that Max is tied up with the coaches. Wrangling the beast in my chest is hard enough without having to hide it from Olivia’s brother, who just happens to be one of my best friends.

“Our time is coming to an end, I’m afraid. Do you have any last thoughts to share with us?” Drew asks her.

“I do, actually. At my last job, I always liked to end my interviews with a fun fact about a player.”

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