Page 66 of Goalie Interference

I wasn’t sure how to respond. I’d never considered not attending. “Would you?”

A humorless smile crossed his face. “Yeah. Kinda. Because of hockey, I don’t spend the holidays with my parents. Even when I played not too far away, it was easier not to bother planning something.”

“You don’t get along with them?”

Before he could answer, Goober slid into the workshop. Beast had been sitting, half awake, but suddenly stood at attention. Goober paused just beyond where Beast’s leash would reach, then sat and started grooming.

Remy was now inside the doorway, since Beast had tugged him forward.

“Have a seat. It’s your turn to share family issues.”

He pulled up a chair and straddled it, keeping Beast just out of Goober’s reach. “My parents were professors. I was a late surprise when they never thought they’d have children. They didn’t really know what to do with a kid who preferred skates to books.”

“They disapprove of you playing hockey? I mean, you’re in the NHL.”

He looked away. “They wanted me to go to university where they taught, but I chose to go straight to playing hockey professionally. They didn’t think that was a smart choice. And when I was injured, they suggested it was a good time to go back to school. Obviously I didn’t. They were probably right.”

But he’d doubled down, choosing hockey over anything. “Why do you say that? Again, you’re playing in the NHL. The top league in the sport. You have been for how many years?”

“I thought I was going to be a superstar. Everyone was a little disappointed at how my career turned out.”

There were thousands of kids who would give anything to be where he was. But like he’d said last night, that wasn’t what he’d dreamed of when it all began. And damn if I didn’t understand him. “So you don’t see your parents?”

“Not often. We love each other but just don’t have anything in common. They’re retired and busy traveling, doing research, stuff like that. Hockey keeps me pretty busy. We never sat down and said let’s not bother each other, but it happened, and it works for us.”

It sounded like it worked forthem, not necessarily Remy. Then again, who was I to judge? I spent time with my parents but they mostly ignored me. Was going through the motions worth it? Maybe not. Then what would I do instead?

“What do you do for the holidays? I know the team usually has a few days off.”

“Someone from the team, the captain or one of the married guys, has the orphans over. The guys from Europe, Russia—they can’t get home in that time frame, so there are always a few of us around.”

“And this year?”

“I’ll ask Hanny.”

An idea struck, from what we’d been discussing. “No, I think you’ll spend it with me. Bring Hanny and anyone else you want.”

Remy leaned back. “Wait, are you serious?”

I nodded. “I don’t want to spend the day on my own. And if I’ve got other plans, it won’t seem like I’m hiding away to avoid Ollie and his new girlfriend. If I was her, I’d enjoy the day more without my boyfriend’s ex around, especially when the ex has been there since day one.”

Remy tilted his head, studying me. “If you’re sure you want to do this, I’d be happy to come. I can help out. I’ve lived on my own long enough that I know my way around the kitchen.”

My heart gave a little pang. I understood why he’d rescued Beast. He was lonely.

I was too.

Chapter 26

Cockblocked by a cat

Remy

Sophie was pretty excited about the idea of doing her own Christmas. I didn’t know what her usual celebration was like but it didn’t sound like the traditional, Hallmark kind of get-together. Her ex and his dad, and her ex’s new girlfriend and kids. Her dad with a stepmom younger than her. That didn’t mean they couldn’t get along, though it sounded awkward to me, but at the idea of doing something different she was already smiling.

My offer of help was sincere. It was easier to be with people if I was busy, but when the WAGs offered to host the team orphans, they never wanted extra hands in the kitchen—they had it all under control. I promised Sophie I’d do some of the work, and she agreed to let me.

She asked what I would like for Christmas. She meant to eat. Still, my thoughts immediately shot to starting the day in bed with her at the top of my Christmas list, but I wouldn’t assume that one night meant she wanted a backup goalie for anything more. I’d let her know I was willing if she was, so now I had towait. Fortunately, that was something backup goalies were good at.

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