Page 40 of Playoff

“Excellent.”

“How’s Bodi?” she asks, playfully wiggling her eyebrows.

I chuckle. “He’s good. Still single. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night.”

“Maybe we can hang at the bar tonight?”

“We have to be in bed pretty early,” I say, “but we can have a drink.”

“Seriously, Phoebe—why would you want to hang out with him?” Dad asks. “He’s just another minor leaguer who wouldn’t be able to provide for you.”

“He’s a friend,” she says, rolling her eyes. “I’m not going to marry him. Well, not unless he asks.”

She and I crack up while my father grunts his disapproval.

There’s more whispering from my mother, since they’re in the back seat together, but I ignore them.

It’s going to be a long few days.

We manageto pull off a win the next night, and everyone is in high spirits after the game. I didn’t score a goal but had two assists, so I feel pretty good about that. My father will probably have something to say about my productivity, but I don’t give a shit. We’re one win closer to making it to the second round, and that’s all I care about.

“Phoebe in the lounge?” Bodi asks me. The two of them stayed down in the bar until long after the rest of us went to bed last night, and I don’t dare ask about what happened after we left. Phoebe is twenty-five and more than capable of handling her own life. I just hope Bodi doesn’t mess with her.

“Yup.” I nod. “Along with my parents who are probably going to give me shit about my inability to score tonight.”

“Your dad’s going to give you shit?” Connor looks appalled. “Jesus, you’re in the NHL playoffs and you scored two assists. What the fuck more does he want?”

“Goals,” I say grimly. “All the goals, all the time.”

“That’s not how it works on a team like this,” Canyon interjects. “You’ll have to introduce me. Maybe I can find a way to set him straight.”

“Sure.” I smile to myself, imagining Canyon giving my dad shit. It probably won’t happen, but it would be fun if it did.

I go into the hallway that leads to the family lounge and see Rowan chatting with Gene, which gives me an excuse to talk to her. I haven’t talked to her beyond anything related to work since our almost-kiss the other night, and part of me feels like I should apologize. I really don’t want things to go back to being awkward and weird.

“Hey, Gene.” I hold out my hand. “How are you feeling?”

“A hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you.” He grins. “Good game, man.”

“Thanks.”

“We’re all going to dinner,” Canyon says as he brushes past us. “You’re all coming, right? Dinner’s on me and Ivan. Please invite whoever you like. We have the whole back room at a place called Luigi’s. Jensen and Marty will be there too—so it’ll be a good time.”

“I’m totally in,” Bodi says.

“Marnie and I will be there,” Gene adds.

“I think I’m going home,” Rowan murmurs. “It’s been a long?—”

“No way.” Canyon shakes his head firmly. “You’re coming. I’m not your boss, but that’s an order.”

She laughs. “All right, then. I guess I could get something to eat. I missed dinner.”

I want to ask why, but I know the answer.

From the moment she gets to the arena until she leaves, she’s busy. From stretching to mini massages to taping up knees and wrists and elbows, there’s always something for her to do. And I hate that she’s doing it alone. At least, Sunny was back tonight, but she’s not really a trainer. Just an intern earning college credit and some per diems.

Kind of like me.

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