Page 92 of If You Love Me

“Hey, Donnie. How’s it going?” Roman is all smiles and friendliness.

I’m in a mild panic spiral, worried that Donnie will jump to accurate conclusions.

“Good, good.” He nods slowly, attention shifting to me. “Forrester, I think there’s an error in the system. Roman’s equipment is logged under you this afternoon.”

“It’s not an error. I’m heading to the rink shortly with Hammerstein and a couple of the enforcers for a little extra practice.”

“Right before a game? Shouldn’t the guys be resting up?” he asks.

“We’ll be fine,” Roman assures him. “I’m going to head down to suit up.” He passes Callie her backpack. “I’ll see you down, there, okay?”

“Okay! Thanks for helping me with my math homework.”

“Anytime, kiddo.” Roman turns to Donnie. “You coming to the game tonight?”

“Sure am.”

“See you there.” He waves and heads down the hall.

“You have a minute?” Donnie asks.

“Sure.” My mouth is suddenly bone dry. “Callie, why don’t you drop your backpack in my office.”

“Okay!” She skips down the hall.

He waits until she disappears into my office. “I see what’s going on here.”

Heat rushes down my spine. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You’ve got our goalie helping your kid with homework?”

“Callie is my sister.”

“Right. Whatever. You’re clearly taking a page from the other office girls.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” He shakes his head. “Just remember, everything has to be inventoried properly for cleaning. When you go around Boxer, it becomes your responsibility.”

Before I can explain that I didn’t go around Boxer, he turns and walks away.

His insinuation hits hard, mainly because there’s merit in it. Is that what everyone else will see next season when we’re together? That I was just after a player? But I don’t have time to fixate on it, because I need to get on the ice.

Callie sits in the seats behind the bench, thrilled to watch her favorite players practice. She’s all waving arms and excitement as Grace skates over to accept a hug from her.

“Shouldn’t she be at practice?” Grace asks.

“They had an issue with the rink,” I explain.

“Ahh, well, that sucks.”

“This seems like a decent consolation prize.”

We start with a short warm-up before we move into more complicated stick work. It’s no longer enough to be fast and agile. Stick work is where it’s at.

While Roman has years of experience to help anticipate what’s coming at him, Ryker has exceptional agility and the ability to read a player’s intentions before he makes the move. It’s why Vander Zee brought him to the team. And why we’re onthe ice hours before a game, hoping to put Ryker in net for the third period.

As much as Grace can be a brute, the guy is fucking magical with stick and puck handling. He can catch a puck midair, flip it, deke around another player, and nab it out of the air before shooting at the net. It’s pretty damn spectacular.

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