Page 73 of Playoff

Bodi nods. “They all play, but Bentley is the only other one who’s serious about it. He’s in the Major Juniors now, so we’ll see what happens. He’s still growing, but he’s really good.” He pauses. “Better than me, for sure.”

There’s an awkward silence, the light-hearted mood gone.

“Anyway, I should probably get going,” he says. “Leave you guys to whatever you’re going to do tonight.”

“Sleep,” Blake and I say in unison.

“Jesus, you’re already reading each other’s minds?” Bodi shakes his head. “You better watch that in front of the team—people are going to notice how cute you are together.”

“You think?” Rowan asks in alarm. “Has anyone said anything?”

“I haven’t heard anything yet, but yeah, whenever you two are near each other, it’s like there’s electricity in the air. It’s kind of inappropriate.” He’s joking but there’s an air of seriousness to his tone.

It’s like he’s giving us some kind of warning.

Which is ironic since players don’t have a fraternization clause in their contracts—Rowan and I already checked.

“How can it be inappropriate if no one has noticed?” Rowan asks, giving him a weird look.

“I’m just saying if I noticed, other people eventually will too.”

“Then I guess we’ll try to be less gross,” I say dryly.

Bodi flushes. “Sorry. I’m just being a dick because I’m in a bad mood. I shouldn’t take it out on you. Thank you again for dinner, Rowan. It was amazing.”

“You’re very welcome,” she replies. “And don’t worry—I’m sure Coach Vanek will put you back in.”

He lifts one shoulder. “Nothing I can do about it either way. I’m just glad I got to play a few games. Anyway, see you guys at practice in the morning!”

There’s an early practice tomorrow, which means we need to get some sleep, so Rowan and I are naked ten minutes after Bodi leaves, making love in front of her fireplace.

Even though it’s May and warm outside.

Simply because we thought it would be romantic.

And she seems to be enjoying my romantic side.

“Guess what we’re going to do when we have down time in Vegas?” I ask as we lie there wrapped in a blanket on the floor.

“What?” she asks lazily.

“We’re going to watchGodzilla. But like, you know, actually watch it this time.”

She bursts out laughing. “The same version from ten years ago?”

“Of course.”

“That sounds fun.”

“I figured we were due a do-over on that.”

“You know we’re going to wind up naked, one way or another.”

“Sure, but that’ll be our goal—to see how much of the movie we can watch without getting naked.”

“I’m game.” She rests her head on my chest, which is one of my favorite places for her to be.

I don’t know how I’m going to keep from falling in love with her.

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