Page 100 of Sven

The next morning, Sven had to get up and get in for the video review and practice. He also needed to talk to Sasha about everything. He knew parts of this could be a media shitstorm, so he wanted to make sure he did what needed to be done.

He was making his smoothie as Natalie was down on the floor, playing with Winnie.

“Are you guys going to be okay?” he asked Natalie.

“Of course we are. Aren’t we, Winnie-Bell?” she said, giving her kisses.

“Where are my kisses?” Sven asked with a fake pout.

She smiled, stood, and walked over to him. “They’re right here.” Reaching up on her toes, she kissed him.

He slid his arms around her and leaned into the kiss as the kitchen door opened.

“It’s about time,” said Ms. Malone.

Sven and Natalie pulled away. Natalie looked sheepish, but Sven knew the cocky grin stretched across his face.

“Bye, sweet girl,” he said as he bent to the floor and kissed Winnie on the head. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be home since I need to talk to Sasha about everything that happened yesterday.”

“We’ll be here.”

Sven walkedinto the Magic center with a little pep in his step. He’d scored the winning goal of the last game and had been playing better, so he wasn’t worried about being called out. Plus, he had Winnie and Natalie. He didn’t think anything could get him down.

“Look at you,” Conner said as they walked into the video review room at the same time. “You look like you’re feeling pretty good about your couple days off.”

“I’m feeling good. Ready to start the playoff push with a clear head.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Conner said as he took his seat.

After the video review, they were all getting on the ice for a few drills and a scrimmage. He was ready, but when he stepped out on the ice, something had shifted. He was running drills, and the puck was going right where he wanted it.

Then, when the scrimmage started, he could tell something had shifted. It was almost like he was... having fun. Though he couldn’t recall the last time he’d had fun playing hockey. He was on a line with Niko and Gunnar and was flying and took the puck past Taylor, who was hard to get past. Then he sent it Gunnar’s way who sent it to the net, only for Ethan to block it, but Sven got the rebound and chipped it up and got the goal.

Fuck, that felt good, he thought as he rounded the net to pats on the back.

After, they were off the ice and changing in the locker room.

“You were good out there today,” Conner said.

“I’m feeling good.”

“Just in time for the cup. Playoffs start soon.”

“We all know playoffs are soon,” said Cash as he threw a wad of sock tape at him.

After he showered and got dressed, Sven headed up the offices to see if Sasha was in. He knew they would have to go to Hillary, but Sasha was much easier to talk to than Hillary. When he got to Sasha’s door, it was closed. He knocked, and Sasha laughed as she told him to come in.

As he opened the door, he saw Conner behind her desk.

“How did you beat me up here?” he asked Conner.

“Why are you talking to my fiancé?”

“Oh, get your panties out of a knot. It’s for work.”

Conner just glared at him. He knew he was just fucking with him.

“I’m going to go. I’ll see you at home,” Conner said as he bent down to kiss her.

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