Page 25 of Heart on Ice

Collette gasps. “The team Felix is signed with?”

I don’t like my sister’s tone. Why is everyone freaking out? Am I that bad? Does Felix not want us to play together? “Thought it might be a great way to end my career playing with my brother.”

“That’s sweet. Don’t you think you will kill each other? Don’t they already have a captain? Are you okay not leading a team? Is Felix okay about this?” she peppers me with questions.

“Felix seems fine about it, but the way everyone is carrying on I’m not so sure,” I say.

“You guys are brothers, you’re going to bring to the team some family stuff, so people are just wanting to make sure it’s the right stuff,” Collette explains.

“Am I that bad?”

“No, it’s not that. But you’re the big brother, and sometimes you can be bossy.”

“I like things a certain way.”

“Exactly.” She laughs. I frown. “But I do think it would be kind of cool if you two played together, and you’re not that old.”

“I’m fucking old for a player, thirty-five. I’m in the older bracket of the league but I’m not ready to hang up my skates just yet, unless I get injured and then fuck who knows, that’s my biggest fear.”

“You are at the top of your game. You’re running circles around those younger guys. Don’t count yourself out yet,” she reassures me.

“What happens if Bill doesn’t let me go?” I ask her, voicing my ultimate fear.

“I don’t know. There’s no way in hell you would be happy sitting on the sidelines doing nothing for your team.”

The petty in me would, but the hockey player in me couldn’t. “He doesn’t deserve the cup.”

“I know, but your teammates do,” Collette reminds me. “But I’m putting out positive vibes that Bill would rather protect his billions than have you on the team.”

“Me too,” I say in agreement. “What about you? This affects your job, too.”

“I’m not worrying about that. I don’t have a contract like you do with the team. I can resign whenever I want.”

“Are you going to stay?” I ask.

“I don’t think so.”

“What about all your friends? It would be hard to leave them.”

“It will be, but you’re my brother. You mean more to me than the job.”

I love her loyalty. “And if I go to New York, you’d come?” I would miss having her with me. Collette and I have gotten tight since she started working at the Devils. It would be great if she, me, and Felix were able to work together.

“The three of us together, not sure if New York is ready for that.”

“That’s true. Look don’t make any decisions regarding your career just yet, not until I know where I’m going.”

“I’ll worry about it later because I’m in Italy,” she says happily.

This makes me smile. “Glad you guys are having fun.”

“We are. I’d better go, we are off to dinner,” she says.

“Isn’t it late there?”

“Yes, but we are living our dolce vita life now. Plus, no one eats here until late evening anyway,” she explains.

“Have fun, love you all. Bye,” I say, hanging up before collapsing on the bed, the day finally catching up to me.

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