Page 2 of Heartfelt Goals

“Okay,” she said, holding up her hands. “Let’s go through the movements again. Maybe we can adjust something to help with the pain.”

Dustin clenched his jaw. It wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t her fault that he was a goalie, that his body had taken years of punishment, and that at barely thirty-four years old, he sometimes felt ninety. It wasn’t her fault that, in a moment of absolute, gut-wrenching fear, he’d actually ordered a darn walker online—just in case.

Something had to give. He just wasn’t sure what would break first—his body or his pride.

Hours later, Dustin was walking to his sports car and mentally bracing himself for the self-inflicted pain that would come with sliding into the sleek vehicle with bucket seats. He loved his fancy black Lotus and the way it drove. It was a status symbol and if he couldn’t go out on the weekends, trolling the bars to pick up girls, then he was definitely driving a car that they would notice. He had to have something in his life that he enjoyed… didn’t he?

Drawing in his breath, he let his body slide into the seat… and let out a relieved chuckle. It wasn’t so bad today – thank goodness. Checking his phone while starting the car, he glanced at the screen and saw his sister texted.

Meet me at Mom’s. I made your fav!

Grinning, he dialed Madeline’s number immediately. His family was close and always had been, but when his sister got married, and his hockey career had really started to take off a few years ago – he did the unthinkable. He gave his sister her dream, buying her a bakery to start her own business as a wedding present to her husband, and everyone benefitted. His sister had a running tab for the team and every month, Dustin paid it without question. This was his family… both off and on the ice.

And Madeline?

He was pretty sure she should be in some fancy bakery somewhere instead of having a little hole-in-the-wall shop inDallas where she was only appreciated by those who knew where her place was located.

“Hey!”

“Hey you… are you on the way?”

“When you mentioned you made my favorite – do you have to even ask?” Dustin smiled, putting his car in reverse and pulling out of the garage.

“Just checking,” his sister laughed and then paused. “How’s it going?”

Yeah, he knew what she was asking – and why. He’d slipped and fallen on a patch of ice once in front of her, and ever since then, she blamed herself for what was happening. Only to see his phone ringing on the other line.

“Crap…” he muttered. “Madeline, I’ve gotta go. That’s my agent on the other line, and I’m sure he can smell blood in the water.”

“He knows?”

“I’m pretty sure everyone does by this point,” he said bluntly, wincing at how harshly it came out. “Love ya – and I’ll be there in twenty.”

“Bye,” she replied as he was already pushing the button to accept the other call.

“Malcolm, how are you?”

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Malcolm began evenly. “Give it to me straight. Do you think you have another five years in you, Dustin? I’m starting to hear rumbles among the natives, and people are looking at you.”

Dustin swallowed, gripping the steering wheel of his car. Right now, having this conversation, it felt like he was fleeing for safety, running for his mommy’s house like he was eight years old to hide from a bully.

“I’ll finish this year fine.”

“That’s not what I asked you.”

“It’s inflamed, okay?” Dustin said bluntly, not bothering to hide the venom in his voice. “I’ve seen a doctor, and do you know how badly things shrivel when they come at you with a needle about four inches long. I hate needles but love hockey, so I’m compromising. I’ve had three steroid shots this year, and I’ll make it. Don’t worry.”

“Are you in pain right now?”

“No,” he replied quickly – too quickly.

“I see,” his agent said knowingly, picking up on the error. “And this morning? Were you in pain this morning or yesterday during practice?”

Dustin was silent for much too long and heard his agent sigh before he spoke again.

“Look, I’m on your side, Dustin.Team Lafreniéreand all that jazz. I’m not the enemy – and I might just have something for you. A possible solution.”

“A miracle?”

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