Page 57 of The Shots You Take

“I was never nervous.”

Riley actually laughed. “The fuck you weren’t.”

Adam smiled. “I can say that, now that I’m retired. I was never nervous, I made no mistakes, and I absolutely blocked that Bernier shot on purpose and not just because my foot happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“You didn’t even know Bernier had taken a shot.”

“Shh. I think I won the best defenseman trophy for that play alone that season.”

“It could have been for that time you took the puck behind the net for a line change, then fell down.”

“Fuck you for remembering that, and there was something on the ice!”

Riley took a sip of Pepsi.

“There was!” Adam insisted.

“Yeah. You.”

Adam laughed, his eyes crinkling, and Riley was struck for the one billionth time in his life by how handsome he was. He was wearing a dark gray shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar, the sleeves rolled up to expose his forearms. The color made his eyes look even bluer. Riley absolutely didn’t need any of this right now.

During a break in play the broadcast showed one of the luxury boxes in the arena. It was full of elite Northmen alumni.A few were guys Riley had played with, but most were much older.

“You weren’t invited?” Riley asked.

“I was.”

Heat creeped up Riley’s neck. Of course Adam had been invited. He’d chosen to be here instead. “Oh.”

“You must have been too, weren’t you?”

What planet was Adam living on? “No.”

Adam’s brow furrowed.

“What?” Riley said.

“I don’t understand. It’s not like you did anything.”

“Sure I did. I asked for a trade, had a breakdown, then quit hockey. I don’t think I can ever set foot in Dallas again. They gave up a lot of draft picks for me.”

“Toronto fans still love you,” Adam argued.

“They should. They got all those draft picks. They got Bergman with one of those.”

Adam shook his head. “Would youstop? You were a fan favorite in Toronto, and I wouldn’t be half the player I was if I hadn’t been paired with you.”

“If you say so.”

Adam leaned in. “Of course I say so. Jesus, Riles, anyone who knows hockey would say so. And stop talking like you did something terrible just because you…uh…”

“Went nuts?” Riley suggested.

Adam pinned him with one of his fierce captain stares. “Don’t say that.”

Riley shrugged but didn’t look away. “It’s true, though. Ask anyone.”

“I never have, and I won’t. I want you to tell me about it. If you don’t want to, then fine, but I’m not interested in gossip.”

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