Page 98 of Goalie Interference

“But…it’s not something I tried to do.”

“No, it’s just how you are. You admired my work and saw how much effort I put into it when my family didn’t. You’re kind and patient. You’re loyal.”

“That sounds like a pet dog.”

She looked at Beast. “What you’ve done with your dog is pretty admirable too.”

She had a point there. Beast was drastically different from the scared, aggressive bundle of bones I’d rescued all those months ago. That was something I’d accomplished outside of hockey. Maybe I could… But that wasn’t what I needed to focus on now.

I swallowed. “My future isn’t entirely in my hands.”

“But you could still stay here, right? For a while? If they traded you, you could come back.”

I’d never thought anyone would want me to stay. “You’d like me to?”

She nodded.

I felt a smile lifting my cheeks. “You’d really like me to stay?”

“I would, yeah. I don’t know what’s in the future, but I think we have something. Do you?”

I wasn’t used to thinking I had that kind of something. I moved a lot, so I traveled light. Not just with physical things. It meant hockey was everything. Without it, I was lost. Maybe this, with Sophie, was something that could last past hockey.

“I’m afraid I’ll fuck it up. I don’t have any track record of being with someone.”

“Come here,” she commanded, and I obeyed. I stood in front of her and she wrapped her arms around my neck. “We’ll just have to unfuck it if that happens.”

“That simple?”

“Yeah. Now kiss me and say you’ll stay.”

Chapter 35

Only one outcome

Remy

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to practice. The team had won the three away games, but Lappy had been pulled in his one start, and Keats had gotten the credit for all three wins.

The way practice was set up, Lappy was getting the start again tonight. I watched him, wondering if I was seeing problems where no one else did. Was I scrambling for something because I was looking to keep my position on this team and have a chance to stay close to Sophie?

I caught Hanny’s attention and he skated over to where I was waiting by the bench. “How do you think Lappy is doing?”

His gaze followed the young goalie in net, carefully listening to Otts. “He was shaky that last start, but he’s definitely got the skills when he’s on.”

I sighed. Maybe I was worried about nothing. All players had their struggles.

“Why are you asking?”

“The coaches asked how I thought he was doing. I think the pressure’s affecting him, but they think I’m just hoping to get more starts if they send him down.”

“Are you?”

I shrugged. “Every goalie wants to start. I’d like to be objective, but I’m not sure I can be.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him this game,” Hanny promised.

He didn’t get the chance to. The coaches didn’t mention a trade to me, but they did tap me to be the backup for the game. When I got to the arena and went in to warm up, I saw Lappy’s suit hung up in his locker but I didn’t see him at the bikes, or on the treadmills, or in the weight room.

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