Page 52 of Sleepless Nights and Hockey Fights

“Nice to meet you, Molly!” Richie yells as the door slams behind him.

Bobby secures the deadbolt, chest heaving from exertion, and then turns to face me again. “I am so sorry about that. I had no idea he would be here, and I am officially disowning him starting this moment. In fact, first thing tomorrow, I’m going down to the county courthouse to change my name legally.”

I blink up at him, still recovering from the whole scene. He looks so earnest and apologetic that I can’t help but pat his chest and offer him a grin. “It’s fine. Family is never easy, in my experience.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

“You know, you might find this crazy, but I’m actually a little jealous of you and Richie.”

“Jealous? Why would you ever wish for a two-hundred-pound leech with poor hygiene and an overinflated ego?”

“Well, when you put it that way...” I laugh. “No, I just mean it might have been nice to have a sibling, that’s all.”

“Well, you can have all four of mine if you want.” Bobby pulls me in and drops a kiss on top of my head before leading us both into the apartment’s living space.

It’s not at all what I expected for a professional athlete with Bobby’s very specific taste. It feels too...generic for him, from the beige walls and carpet to the vertical blinds covering the windows.

As if reading my mind, Bobby props his free hand on his hip and says, “You can see why I’m looking for a house.” We both glance around the space. “I only got this place because it’s close to the practice facility. I’m so used to being traded every season that I never put any thought into my living arrangements before. It was never worth it.”

“And now?” I ask. I didn’t know he’d been traded around so much. It must be tough not getting to decide where you live or work.

“Kaitlyn got me a six-year contract with the Storm Chasers last year, so I can finally breathe.”

“Kaitlyn’s your agent, right?” I’m not quite sure how all this works.

“Yeah. She and my teammate Benny are the ones who just had a baby.” He gets a goofy look on his face that makes my ovaries perk up.Settle down, bitches!“You might have met her, actually. She was the dark haired woman I was talking to at Matthew’s practice when I met your ex. She’s around the facility a lot.”

A lightbulb turns on. “Oh!That’swho that was.”

Bobby cocks his head. “Wait. Did you think...I was hitting on her?”

Heat crawls up my neck. “No!” I deny too quickly, knowing I’ve been caught. So I go on offense instead. “Hey, your own brother said you usually go for ‘puck bunnies.’” I use air quotes.

Bobby gasps. “I’m going to tell Kaitlyn you just called her a puck bunny!”

“No, I didn’t mean that!”

“Kinda sounded like you did.”

“I just meant she’s young—and beautiful, and stylish, and . . . sexy.”

“Now you think she’s sexy too? I’m sure she’d like to hear that as well.”

“No! That’s not . . . I’m going to shut up now.”

Bobby chuckles and turns, drawing me into his chest and wrapping his arms around me. “I’m just giving you shit.”

“Well, don’t be surprised if I just kick you in the shin.” I sound like a third grader.

Bobby’s warm chest shakes against my cheek where my head is cradled. He’s so solid and comfortable. It feels good to be able to lean on him and let myself exhale for a minute.

“Hey.” His voice is quieter now and I can feel his breath ruffle the hair on top of my head. “About what Richie said, he doesn’t know anything about my love life or who I do or don’t date.”

“It’s really none of my busin?—”

Bobby cuts me off. “Yes, it is. And I’m telling you right now that you’re the only woman I want to date.”

As good as that feels, I have to bring up the elephant in the room. “I’m forty, Bobby. And I have a kid.”

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