Page 63 of Breakaway to You

“So,” Crew said as we made our way into the living room. “To what do we owe the pleasure of having Minnesota Wolves’ right wingman here?”

I rubbed the back of my head as I sat down on the couch. “Well, I was actually hoping we could talk.” Yeah, I wasn’t very good at this. I hadn’t had a lot of practice over the years, talking and opening up about my feelings and fears.

Addie must have sensed the heaviness in my words because she quickly turned to Tyler. “Tyler, why don’t you go up and finish your homework? I’ll call you back down when dinner is ready.”

“But, Mom,” he begged. “I want to hang out with Zeke Lawson.”

I tried not to smile at how he referred to me using my full name.

“And you will,” she said. “He’s staying for dinner, and then you can ask him all the hockey questions your heart desires.”

“Okay,” he said reluctantly but turned to go up the stairs.

“I’m just going to be in the kitchen finishing up dinner,” Addie said, smiling before leaving Crew and me alone.

We sat in silence for a couple of moments as I gathered my thoughts, wiping my suddenly clammy hands on my pants.

“Sorry to just drop in on you like this.” Maybe coming here had been a dumb idea. Crew had a life, a family, a job, and here I was plopping down on his couch, hoping he could tell me what to do with my life.

“Don’t worry about it.” He waved me off from across the room, where he sat on the other couch. “It’s good to see you. I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to make it to one of your games yet. I’ve been wanting to take Tyler.”

“I don’t expect you to come watch me,” I said. “But let me know when, and I can get you guys tickets.”

“We’ve been cheering you on while watching games on TV, though.” He leaned back and crossed an ankle over his knee. “You’ve looked good this season. Congratulations on making it to the playoffs.”

“Thanks.” I let myself lean back too, hoping it would help me relax. “It’s been a fun season so far. The team is great. I like it more than I thought I would.”

He looked at me and then said, “I’m sensing there is a ‘but’ somewhere in there.”

“Yeah, kind of.” I sighed. “Today, I was offered an extension on my contract for another year and?—”

“That’s great, Zeke,” he boomed, obviously too excited for me to let me finish my sentence. “I’m not surprised, though. No one is more dedicated to the game than you.”

I held up my hand. “Wait.And—you didn’t let me finish—andas grateful as I am for that opportunity, I’m not sure what to do because I’ve fallen for the team’s physical therapist.”

His brows furrowed. “Come again?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering if I could actually say the words out loud. Opening one eye, I hurried and said, “I think I’ve fallen in love with Piper.”

Slowly, I let my eyes open all the way, taking in Crew’s shocked face.

His brown eyes were wide. “The Zeke Man is in love?”

“I know,” I exclaimed, rubbing my hands down my face. “I don’t know how it happened. One second, she was just the team physical therapist, helping me be at my best for the game, and then suddenly I was opening up to her and thinking about her constantly.”

“And how does she feel about you?” he asked.

I gave him a look. “I’m The Zeke Man. What do you think?”

He rolled his eyes, chuckling at my ridiculous response.

“No, but in all seriousness,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “I don’t know if she would use the wordlove, but she definitely likes me.”

Crew arched his brow and crossed his arms. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Yes, but you know it’s against team policy for anyone on the staff to date players.”

He nodded slowly, tapping his fingers against his bicep “But are you twodating?”

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