Page 38 of Playoff

He bursts out laughing., “I’m joking, Ro. Relax.”

“You almost gave me a heart attack,” I groan. “I thought someone started some rumor…”

“Well, I mean, everyone has heard that you and Blake dated in high school.” He pauses, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Please tell me there’s not anything going on there?”

“Of course not!” I stare at him as indignantly as I can.

It’s the truth.

But it almost wasn’t.

Last night, I almost gave in to that ridiculous chemistry between us.

That can never happen again.

No more massages—no matter how good it feels.

No more intimate conversations or walking me to my car.

I’ll make sure of it.

“I mean, no one has said anything,” he adds quickly. “It came up randomly, like a funny coincidence thing, but the vibe is more that you two can’t stand each other. So I was just busting your chops.”

“No,” I say carefully. “We’ve moved past that. Our breakup was kind of ugly, but it’s been almost a decade. I’m past it and we buried the hatchet. But there’s nothing between us.”

“As long as you keep it that way, I’m sure you’ll be fine. You just don’t want to be the only woman out there and then start sleeping with one of the players. That will make your life more complicated than it needs to be. It’s not fair, but we have to deal with the reality of misogyny, not the way we wish it was.”

“I get it. Don’t worry. That’s the least of my problems. I have zero interest in Blake beyond friendship.”

So why does my chest constrict painfully when I say the words?

Probably because deep down I know I’m a liar.

And I have no idea what to do about it.

TWELVE

Blake

I checkthe time on my watch for the hundredth time.

My parents and older sister are on their way to the hotel where they’ll be staying for the next four days, and I’m waiting in the lobby. It’s convenient since I’m staying here too, and we can spend a decent amount of time together. They rented a car since I don’t have one big enough to lug them all around, and Bodi needs it tonight anyway. Besides, I’ll be busy with hockey and they’re going to do some sightseeing.

“Blake!” Mom’s eyes beam as they come through the doors and she hugs me tightly.

“Hi, Mom.”

“It’s so good to see you.”

“Hello, son.” My father is a bit more formal, shaking my hand instead of hugging me. Things have been strained between us for a long time. I understand he made a lot of sacrifices for me to play hockey—like taking out that second mortgage on the house—but I can’t go back in time. I can’t control the fact that I fucked up when I was young and didn’t make it to the NHL.

I’ve apologized at least a thousand times for all of it. At some point, he has to forgive me and let it go. Because our current relationship sucks, and I know it will get worse if I retire in the next year or two.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Blake.” My sister Phoebe gives me a big hug, even tighter than my mom had, and grins up at me.

“It’s really good to see you guys.” I keep my arm around Phoebe’s shoulders as my parents walk to the registration desk to get their room keys.

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