Page 62 of The Puck Stops Here

‘You’re seriously telling me you eat them?’

‘Off season, absolutely. And don’t knock it until you try it.’

She had tried it, right along with a stack of fondant fancies and candied cocktails! Now focus…

‘What’s your proudest moment to date?’

‘That’s a hard one. Getting recruited into our college team was the validation of a lifelong dream. But lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time, there’s no rush like it.’

His eyes shone with the memory alone.

‘Do you think you’ll get to do it again this year?’

‘You better believe it.’

‘And what if you don’t?’

He looked taken aback by the question. ‘Like I said, I won’t dwell on it.’

Her eyes tightened.Like you didn’t dwell on Sissi. Only you did, I’m sure of it…

‘Would you say hockey has changed you as a person over the years?’

Made you selfish. Made you all about your career and your family. Given you the ability to push out the girl whose heart you broke? Or is she still in there?

‘Man, everything changes you over the years, right? I mean, I’m ten years older than when I got picked for a college team. Back then, I felt like I had everything to prove. Now, I want to make guys like Grady Marshall proud. They had faith in us when they didn’t need to. It’s my job to pay that forward.’

‘What about future goals? You’re twenty-eight now; are there any milestones or achievements you’re still striving for?’

‘I’m never going to stop wanting to win the Stanley Cup. I made that promise to myself a long time ago – that nothing would come between me and the ultimate win.’

‘And after the game, when you can’t play any more? How do you see your life then? Do you intend to stay involved in the hockey world or pursue something else?’

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at his hands.

‘Hockey changed my life. My whole family’s life. I want to work on bringing our sport to more kids. Whether that’s investment in rinks, clubs, training or working with schools to expand their sports programmes. I want to give back to the game that’s given us so much.’

It was so noble, and so sincere, and so maddeningly infuriating because she wanted him to be the egotistical prick she’d had him painted as from the outset. Sheneededhim to be that guy to continue to deliver on the karma he so deserved. SheneededSissi.

‘What about your life outside the game?’

‘Are you hitting on my love life again?’

‘I was thinking more hobbies, interests… but if you want to go there, I’m listening.’

His eyes sparkled. The charm making a return. ‘I’ll find hobbies when I retire.’

‘And a woman?’

‘Not on the agenda.’

‘Now or ever?’

‘Who knows.’

Deliberately vague.

‘You’ve been seen with enough women on your arm in the past.’

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