Page 121 of Waiting Game

It isn’t the first time Bukowski’s more modern mindset has come to blows with Bradley’s older ways.

Earlier this week, Bradley was heard scoffing at Kerrigan’s absence for family and medical leave. The reason for which is unknown to the public.

Then he defended his decision to have Greco, a top-tier goalie, splitting the starting role with Roger Davies 50/50. With a goal against average of 3.98 and save % of 0.799, Davies ranks 49 of 50 in the NHL goalies. Every Stars’ loss this season has occurred with him in front of the net.

The old boys’ club is evidently in play.

Sure to please Ms. Bukowski, Bradley’s relationship with the Davies dates back a long time.

Mitch Davies, Roger’s father, used to play for Toronto when Bradley coached there and Roger has long sincebecome Bradley’s go-to goalie, especially during his time at the head of the Canadian Olympic team.

Bystanders are wondering how long a forward-thinking GM can work in tandem with an old-fashioned coach.

CHAPTER 23

MIA

The day dateat the bakery was the first of many day dates with Cole.

There was a trip to the zoo and a visit to the National History Museum, then, my favorite, a trip to a spa.

Yeah, a spa.

Should have known with his choice of wardrobe that Cole’d be a metrosexual, but I’m here for it.

Honestly, there’s nothing better than getting primped and preened while the guy you’re dating is watching and taking part too.

Plus, it rocks because he doesn’t have skanky feet and his skin is exfoliated and moisturized. Yet, he’s also the most masculine man I’ve ever known, so sexy he blows my mind. The dichotomy is delicious.

Today’s visit to the aquarium was surprisingly fun and it’s put me in a great mood.

“Mia!” Jarvis calls as he dashes through Chuck’s door with a massive paper bag in his hand.

“Time to stop daydreaming,” I murmur to myself before beaming a smile at him.

Honestly, he’s been so helpful—scoping out memorabilia from Facebook and thrift stores.

We don’t have as much hockey merch as the baseball stuff which, to be fair, makes sense seeing as we’ve collected that stuff over decades and most of it is OG from my great-granddaddy’s time, but we’ve put a good dent in one of the three walls that will make up that half of the bar.

“I’m going to show you something that I found and you’re going to know that it’s proof of my love for Chuck’s.”

Jason, one of the bar’s more grabby-handed patrons, snags Jarvis by the arm and mockingly fights him for the package. “Your love of Mia, more like,” he mocks. “Who can blame you, though?” He winks at me. “Mia is the prettiest thing in this dive!”

I roll my eyes at him. “Give him the package, Jason.”

He pouts. “You’re no fun.”

The paper bag starts to tear as Jarvis snags at it, face bright red.

He’s about half Jason’s weight and I get the feeling some of the guys bully him. It’s one of the reasons why I’m okay withhim staying behind the bar because Dionne would break Jason’s clavicle if he so much as sniffed in her direction.

Jarvis hasn’t said anything to me, and those macho guys keep it quiet when I walk past so it’s only suspicions until Jarvis confirms it, but it makes me like them less.

Ever since Gracie left last year, some of the patrons have been getting more rowdy and raucous and Chuck never did anything to stop them—only said that ‘boys will be boys.’

I fucking hate that statement.

“Jason!” I snarl, my tone ten times more serious as the bag rips further.

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