Page 84 of The Girlfriend Zone

I turn to Mom, and she shoots me a no-go smile.

“And it’s a miracle I’m even awake at ten,” Mom adds, making a show of checking the time on her watch.

“I think what she’s trying to say is that she misses the dogs,” Harvey chimes in, cupping her shoulder affectionately.

I laugh but I’m a little serious as I ask, “How are you going to survive two weeks away from them?”

Mom frowns, then turns to Harvey. “Miles has a good point. Let’s cancel the cruise and stay with the dogs. Or, better yet—can you book us a private yacht so we can take them?”

Harvey rolls his eyes with fond affection. “Of course, Lauren. No problem.”

“Seriously, Mom. Does your dog-sitter know to send you photos every hour on the hour?”

“Dania has been well-trained in the care and feeding of a neurotic dog parent,” Harvey says, answering for her, since, well, he’s well-trained, too, in looking out for Mom.

“And we’ll help out Dania when she needs to see her clients,” Charlie puts in. Dania is a professional pet-sitter who specializes in cats, but Mom convinced her to take on four demanding small dogs and stay at their home when they travel. Charlie and I have always tried to pitch in and take the critters when Dania needs to make the rounds of the cats across the city.

“You two are the best,” Mom says, then eyes the exit longingly. “Since my husband isn’t getting me that privateyacht, I should go spend as much time with the kids as I can.”

“You really don’t even pretend we’re your favorites,” I say.

Her expression goes surprisingly serious. “Why would I?” Then her lips curve into a grin as she steps closer. “You played great tonight. I’m proud of you for coming back. Sticking with this. You’ve always been so resilient. I never doubted you’d recover.”

That’s me. Take it on the chin and keep going. It’s a good thing, I’m sure, my ability to just keep moving. That’ll help me stop obsessing over Leighton.Maybe.

“Thanks, Mom,” I say. “Appreciate your faith in me.”

“You’ve always worked so hard. You’ve always been so focused on…” She stops, pauses, maybe collects her emotions. “Everyone else.”

I swallow roughly, getting her meaning but not wanting to look like a martyr. “Good thing I like hockey though.”

“You play like you love it,” she says.

“I do love it. I’m glad I can play again, thanks to Coach,” I say, since the reminder is good for me.

But I’m not the only one I care about. It’s a good reminder because…how would Coach feel about his daughter if she were involved with a player? Would he be pissed at her? Would it put a strain on their relationship? Leighton adores him, rightly so. And I know he dotes on her. That’s another reason I need to stay in this friend zone—I don’t want to harm the relationship she cares most about.

Mom knits her brow. “It’s all you, but I get what you’re saying.”

My mom, Charlie, and Harvey say goodbye, then take off, joining Tyler and his kids at the end of the hall.

Birdie clears her throat, stepping forward with her usual flair. “I’m a night owl. And I can drink any hockey player under the table.”

“Truer words,” I say, gesturing for her to lead the way. “Go on, Birdie. Set the pace.”

Her serene smile turns mischievous as she declares, “Where is my favorite shutterbug? I should invite her and her friends. Yes, I think I’ll do that.”

“Birdie,” I say, but she’s already gone, her sequins shimmering as she marches off to hunt down Leighton.

I should stop her—but I don’t.

A little later, most of the team has claimed the pool tables at Sticks and Stones, the local bar we all hit up after games. I’ve covered a round of drinks—and maybe a few more—and most of the guys are gathered around the tables with their wives, girlfriends, or partners, laughing and talking trash.

Asher’s here with Maeve, and they’re a fearsome duo, taking on team after team and wiping the floor with them at pool. They look like they’re having the time of their lives.

As for me, Birdie’s corralled me into a corner booth, and before I know it, she’s calling over Leighton.

Birdie flashes a mischievous smile as Leighton slides into the booth across from me. “So,” Birdie says, clasping her hands dramatically and turning to Leighton, “tell me everything. How’s it going with the team? Do you love it as much as you’d expected?”

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