Page 19 of Pucks, Lies, and Sticktape

“I’m sorry,” she began. “I’m trying to comprehend all of this, and for a girl who has twenty dollars in her checking account, lives off her tips, and is waiting for a paycheck on Friday that will probably get lost in the mail with the way I quit today… I’m having a hard time swallowing all of this.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” he smiled easily. “I kinda like that about you – how you’re real and down-to-earth. Don’t change that.”

And Matthieu realized it was true.

5

JEANNIE

Two weeks later…

This was insanity – sheer insanity…

And Jeannie was swimming up to her hairline in crazy waves threatening to drag her down. Matthieu had flown out this morning, and it was just last night that he sat grinning on the couch like a fiend. The news broke about his departure from Seattle - and that he was the new starting goalie for the Quebec Wolverines.

The newscasters looked completely stunned.

Matthieu was grinning.

She was utterly flabbergasted by the whole situation.

Her fake-husband wason the news, being talked about like he was the next big thing to hit hockey, as a bunch of strangers in suits on the screen dissected this new life, breaking it down, bit-by-bit.

‘Larsson and his family will be making the move to Quebec – and the Wolverines are hitting the ice this coming season with some big names…’

They are out for blood – aren’t they, Tony?

They sure are – and I think they are going to get it, too

Kenneth Salas, Jett Acton, Barrett Coeur, Kenneth Boucher…

You know, a few years ago, we would be sitting here saying ‘Who would be crazy enough to sign Boucher with his baggage’ – but apparently it’s Quebec, and I don’t blame them. The man’s a beast on the ice.

So is Larsson – and with Lafreniére teaching him the ropes?

The Wolverines are going to be unstoppable this season.

“This is the best newscast ever,” Matthieu had laughed beside her, overjoyed by the announcement as they had sat on the couch last night.

Wow.

That had been last night…

The same couch that was currently being hefted out by movers who needed to hurry because her flight left at six this evening, and she still needed to get a cab, turn in the keys, and get going.

“Hey, Mrs. Larsson, I bet your husband is really excited about the Wolverines signing him, eh? I saw that wicked ‘butterfly-save’ against the Penguins and that rob? Ohhh boy! Mannnn, that made me hurt for a week just watching it.”

“That’s him,” she said brightly, realizing that she had literally no clue as to what they were talking about. Was Matthieu skating with penguins on the ice – and how did they contain the butterflies in the arena – much less how did one go aboutrobbingone?And why would you steal nectar from a butterfly?“That’s my husband. He does all the robbing of those mean ol’ butterflies and fights penguins like it’s going out of style.”

And both men looked at her like she was crazy – nearly dropping the couch. A part of her thought about explaining or adding to her statement but it was best she left it alone. How did you explain that a‘dedicated hockey wife’had no clue what was involved in a ‘hockey life’?

But she didn’t feel like a wife.

Right now, she didn’t feel like a very good friend. She never sat with him to watch the games, never asked questions, and unfortunately, that seemed to suit him. He was either coming or going, trying to be on his best behavior for work and keeping a low profile until things were settled.

The contract had been signed, but he requested nothing be announced until they were set to move in. Sure enough, the moment the house was ready to sign the papers on, do the closing, and get the keys. He called Fallon to arrange for the press conference and went to practice – only to come home an hour later.

Fired.

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