Page 94 of In It to Win It

“Oh, not till later. Uncle Mark did away with game-day skates this year. But I have to be in Lakewood by eleven o’clock.”

“Lakewood?” I roll over and eye him curiously. “Wait—I guess it’s none of my business.”

He shakes his head and slides into bed next to me. He pushes his hands into my hair and holds my head, peering down at me. “I’m not seeing anyone else.”

“I never . . . Okay, I’m lying—the thought did cross my mind.” I bite my lip. Do I want us to be exclusive? I sure as hell am not looking for marriage or long-term commitment; I’ve already decided that. But the idea of him being with someone else bugs me, and I certainly don’t have any interest in seeing any other guy. At all.

His eyes search mine. “Do you want to see other guys?”

“No!”

“Okay, good. Can we agree that as long as we’re seeing each other, we’re only seeing each other?”

I nod slowly. “Yes.”

“Good.” He kisses me softly. “Come with me tomorrow.”

“Where are you going?”

“There’s a learn-to-play program the team runs. Every Sunday, at a few different rinks in the area. Tomorrow is my turn to go to Lakewood.”

“Oh.” I purse my lips. “Okay. I guess I could come.”

“It’s not exciting. Some of the kids can barely skate.”

“So no fights?”

He laughs. “No fights.”

“Damn. But okay, I’ll come.”

“Bloodthirsty,” he murmurs.

“Not really. I’m joking. I actually hate fights. I worry someone’s going to get hurt.”

“It’s part of the game.”

“I know. Some people get so excited, guys jumping up and banging on the glass and cheering, but not me.”

“Better not come tomygames, then.” He nestles me in against him, his mouth against my hair.

“Why did you fight against Bertelski last year?” I ask sleepily.

He tenses. “Why are you asking that?”

“You’re answering my question with a question. But I’m asking because I’m curious. What makes guys fight?”

“I don’t know about all guys. I fought him because he was an asshole.”

“Mmm. That’s all it takes?”

I feel him smile. “He had the puck behind his own neck and accidentally gave it away to Abs. Abs scored immediately, but when he skated away, Bertelski followed him and crushed him into the boards. There was no play going on and Abs didn’t even see him coming. Separated his shoulder and he was out for months.”

I let that sink in. “Okay, yeah, he was an asshole.”

“I just couldn’t let that go,” JP admits.

I don’t like fighting, but . . . somehow this makes me like JP even more.

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