Page 45 of Playmaker

“No.” Petrov’s voice was flat. “We have training in the morning. This is not the night to drink and sex.”

“I get your point about the drinking, Petey, but sex—come on, that’s another kind of workout.”

“You are young, but soon you should be serious. Find a girl who will help you calm down. Not just for fun, no?”

Ducky’s face fell. “Yeah, don’t know if that’s happening again.”

Again?As long as I’d known Ducky, he’d been a lighthearted fuckboy.

Before Petey could ask him about it, Crash, JJ and Royston returned from the shower, and Seb Hunter walked in.

“Hunts!” Ducky never stayed down for long. “What are you doing slumming here?”

“Came to talk to your captain. Thought he might be up for lunch?”

“Sure.” Something was up with Hunter, but I wouldn’t ask him in front of the guys. Seb worked in player development, and he might have some inside news for me that wasn’t for the whole team. Or it could be something about his daughter Hailey, my best girl.

We went to a place nearby that I’d found over my years playing on the Blaze. It was a hole-in-the-wall with good food but plain decor that discouraged most diners. The owners spoke very little English and cared nothing about hockey. Once we were at our table, waiting for our food, I found out that Hunts had news about the teamandmy goddaughter.

“They’re announcing this tomorrow. Trading two of the Inferno and a high draft pick to Edmonton for Daniel Astrom and a kid named Chromy. Chromy will be playing in net in Hamilton.”

“So what’s happening to Mitchell?”

“They’re keeping mum on that, but with this trade, they’re either moving him next, or keeping him as backup for Petrov.”

“For Tempo’s sake, I hope they keep him. I think he could do pretty well, but that playoff goal is going to be hard to get over.”

Our food arrived, and for the next couple of minutes that kept us busy.

“Speaking of Mitchell,” Hunts started.

“You’re going to see him next week, right? You and Faith are helping with his camps?”

“Yeah, we’re flying out Friday. And we’ve got a problem.”

“What’s that?” I couldn’t help with a flight cancellation, but I could maybe pull some strings if they needed to get there.

“Faith’s mom is taking care of Hailey while we’re away.” I nodded. “But she’s at the cottage. She was getting a ride back with a friend, and now that’s been delayed.”

“Ah, you need a Hailey sitter.”

He grinned. “Yep. Grammy should be back about noon on Saturday, but her ride doesn’t want to deal with Friday night traffic.”

“You’re asking if I know of any babysitters? Maybe someone on the team?”

Hunter laughed. “Ducky? Or even better, Petrov?”

“The thought of Petey trying to handle Hailey? I’d give money to see that. But of course I can do it. What time is your flight?”

“We have to be at the airport around three.”

“I’ll get there by two? How about I bring some lunch and come right after our workouts here?”

Hunts’ shoulders dropped, but he shouldn’t have worried. Whatever he needed, especially when it came to Hailey, I’d do it.

With that out of the way, we discussed what we knew about Daniel Astrom. He’d been born in Sweden, so played for their national team sometimes, but his family had moved to California when he was young and he’d gone to college there before being drafted by LA. He’d signed with Edmonton a couple of years ago, and now Edmonton had traded him to Toronto.

“Married, right?” Hunter said.

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