Page 87 of Playing to Win

“So, you two are totally real dating now.”

I grinned. “Yeah.” Luke didn’t grin back. “Do you have a problem with that?”

He slouched down further and sighed. “I hope you really do like her, Mitch. Because now you’re the only thing she has.”

“I know. And I do.”

“It’s great that you’re supportive. Just don’t…”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t lose your career over this.”

“What the hell?” Jayna was the one losing here.

“You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Your parents, they sacrificed, right? And you didn’t get involved with anyone because you needed to put hockey first.”

“I know, but?—”

“This is an important time for you. Playoffs, in the NHL. One slip with Petrov and it’s all on you. You can’t stop running or blow off practice. You have to be ready.”

“I will be. I’m not doing that anymore. Doesn’t mean I can’t help Jayna too.”

“Hope so, man. Because if you’re in that deep with her and something happens, it’s going to mess you up bad.”

He started the game again, not looking at me.

I’d told Jayna she had me, and I meant it. Part of me even liked that. But it was a responsibility, and I also had a responsibility to the team. If I ever got in net, I had to be the best I’d ever been. As long as these two things didn’t conflict.

* * *

Jayna

I wokeup in the morning when Braydon did. He had running and his practice, so I gave him a quick blow job to thank him and get his day off to a good start. Then I headed to my apartment.

I’d timed it well. Megan was at work and I had the place to myself. I hadn’t told her or anyone yet that I was unemployed, so that was something for my to-do list. The time for self-pity was over. I’d always had to fight against the inequalities in my sport, so I could handle this. I needed to work out my financial situation, and then look for another job ASAP.

I showered, had some coffee and yogurt, and pulled out my laptop. First I checked my bank and credit card balances. I’d made some extra money working on this thing with Braydon and I had one more paycheck coming from the Blaze. They’d better not sit on it. They owed me vacation time too.

I could get through pretty comfortably through the end of June, but I didn’t want my balances to drop that low. Hockey-related jobs wouldn’t open up till hockey season started in the fall again, so I had to take whatever I could find now.

I applied for any jobs that were even moderately appealing. If none of these worked, I might have to leave Toronto. This, the biggest city in the country, should have the most openings, but it also had the highest cost of living.

I was deep in the rabbit hole and didn’t hear Megan arrive until she called my name from right beside me.

I jumped in my seat. “Fuck. You gave me a heart attack.”

“I wasn’t exactly quiet. What’s got you so absorbed?” She looked at my computer screen. “You’re looking for another job?”

“Yeah. I need wine before I tell you about my last twenty-four hours.”

Megan raised her brows but went for the glasses. Once we were settled on the couch with some cabernet, I told her what happened to end my job with the Blaze.

“That’s so gross. There must be something you can do.”

“If I say anything, they’ll get their lawyers involved. And I need a good reference. Kira owes me that at least.”

“I thought she was a friend.”

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