Page 21 of Playoff

We get into multiple elevators, and when it’s just Bodi and me, I give him a pointed look. “Dude, what thefuck?”

“Are you really mad about me spilling the beans about you and Rowan?” He looks genuinely surprised. “I thought everything was cool.”

“Everything is awkwardas fuck,” I grind out. “And I’m willing to bet she’s going to be pissed if this gets back to her.”

“But it happened,” he protests. “It’s not some malicious lie… Is it asecret?”

“I don’t know that it’s a secret, but apparently, she has a no fraternization clause in her contract, so this could impact her career. Which wouldn’t be cool at all.”

He studies my face carefully for what feels like a long time.

“You care about her,” he says in surprise.

I scowl. “I don’t know if I care about her,” I protest. “But I definitely don’t want to get her into trouble at her job. And frankly, she works here full-time—I’m basically a glorified and well-paid sub. So there’s no reason for me to make waves. I just want to play hockey. Okay? You know shit because you’re my best friend, but I need you to keep shit like that to yourself going forward. Please?”

He lifts his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Sorry, man. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I honestly didn’t mean anything byit. I don’t want to get her into trouble, I just wanted to bust your balls.”

“Consider them busted.” I head for my room. “See you downstairs in fifteen.”

It’s a relativelysmall group that heads out to eat. Me, Bodi, Connor, Chandler, Canyon, Bristol, Rowan, and one of the equipment managers. Gabe found us a restaurant but bowed out, saying Harper was tired and he wanted to stay with her. So our group walked four blocks to the restaurant and got a table in the back.

It’s a steakhouse with an Argentinian flair, and it smells amazing.

My stomach growls with excitement, and I order the biggest steak they have.

Rowan is sitting at the other end of the table, deep in conversation with Bristol and Donnie, the assistant equipment manager.

It’s probably safer this way, with her as far away from me as possible.

Except… I like her smile. Her laugh. The way her eyes glitter when she’s happy.

Which is why it’s better if she’s on the other side of the table.

The farther away the better.

“Are we toasting tonight’s win?” Bodi asks, lifting his glass of wine.

“You guys suck,” Connor mutters, lifting his glass of ice water since he’s not old enough to drink.

“It’s okay, kid—you’ll be twenty-one before you know it.” I nod in his direction, lifting my wine glass.

“To the playoffs,” Chandler says.

“And friends,” Connor adds.

“And ex-girlfriends!” Donnie grins broadly. “How cool is it that Blake and Rowan dated in high school?”

Jesus. Fucking. Christ.

I shoot a glare in Bodi’s direction, but he looks just as surprised as me.

And Rowan looks absolutely furious.

“You did?” Bristol turns to her in surprise.

Rowan gives me a narrow-eyed glare, but then her face morphs into what I call her professional face, and she shrugs.

“It ended a decade ago. We were fifteen when we met. Not a big deal, you guys.”

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