Page 42 of Ice Contact

“Doing good,” he says as he lightly taps his knee. “Doc says I should be good to go by the next home game back in Milwaukee.”

“No shit! Excited to finally hit the ice together. Happy for you, Z.”

“Appreciate it. I hate being off the ice, but it’s helped me spend a little more time at home with the fam and learn to relax a bit,” he replies with a grin. “How are you adjusting, Larsy? You seem like you’re in an awfully good mood tonight. You’ve been all smiles since we left the arena.”

“I didn’t realize I was being watched,” I say, shooting him side-eye.Apparently, Vladi’s not the only nosy-asshole on this team.“I’m just happy to get the win and a goal tonight. Nice start to the road trip.”

“Sure, Larsy. Keep telling yourself that. That’s not a ‘goal and a win’ smile. You look like a boy who just got a date to the prom,” he razzes me, giving me a knowing look and glancing at my phone.

I laugh, not the least bit upset at getting called out about Olivia. “Guess I’m not very good at hiding my emotions.” I hesitate, my knee bouncing a hundred miles an hour. I don’t want this gossip spreading like wildfire among this group of motherfuckers. But Zack’s onto me, and as team captain, he’s legally bound to keep it quiet. “I’m…sort of seeing someone. It’s new.”

“I figured as much,” he says. “Glad to see you happy, man. When I first met my wife, she had me in the palm of her handsfrom the moment she smiled at me. Three kids later, and a fourth one on the way, Kara still has me following her like a little puppy dog.”

I smile, listening to him talk about how in love he is with his wife.That’s what I’ve wanted my entire life.Obviously, hockey has always been my dream. But I think I’ve always wanted to have someone to share it with. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have that growing up. My parents were divorced, and my dad wasn’t in the picture. It was just me and my mom. I’ve always wanted to have kids and be a good dad to them. A better dad than what I had. And if they wanted, teach them to play hockey.

And as crazy as it sounds, Olivia is that person. It’s been so quick, but she just does something to me. I’ve always been cautious with relationships, especially being a professional athlete with girls who just want fame and my paycheck. I’ve never wanted to jump in or commit to anything too quickly, but when I’m with Olivia, all my hesitation fades away. One would think I would be even more reserved about getting into a serious relationship so fast. But Olivia just makes everything…right.

“How long did you two date before you got married?” I ask.

Zack flashes me a knowing smile. “Six months. With the crazy travel, I wanted her to be there when I got home at night, and I wanted her to know I was committed. Shit, I probably would have married her on our first date if she asked me. I was at a point where I knew what I wanted, and she knew what she wanted, so we went for it. And I’ve never regretted it a day in my life.”

“When you know, you know.”

“Exactly. So, this mystery girl you’re seeing, is it serious?”

“We met pretty quick after I moved into town, shared a moment, and then didn’t see each other again until the home opener when she was standing on the ice singing the national anthem.”

“Holy shit. Our singer? The Weapon?” he says a little louder than I would like.

“Shhhh!! Keep your loud ass voice down!” I hiss, putting my hand over his mouth, my eyes darting around the plane, scanning for signs anyone heard. “Nothing isofficial,and I don’t want it all over the locker room just yet. But yes, it’s Olivia, our national anthem singer.” I cringe, remembering all the bullshit over the past week. “Former anthem singer. She got fired.”

“She gotfired? What? Why? She’s fucking amazing. And when she sings, we win.” He looks at me, worry tainting his face.

“It’s kind of a long story, but she was dating a guy who, apparently, got you to sign some pucks at the home opener. They aren’t supposed to do that, so they let her go.”

“You are fucking kidding me. I know exactly who you’re talking about. That motherfucker wouldn’t leave me alone; he kept calling me ‘Z’ like he was my best friend. I signed his damn pucks to get him off my back so I could head to the locker room. She got fired forthat? It wasn’t her fault at all!”

“I know,” I shake my head, clenching my fists thinking about that stupid asshat ex of hers. “I asked her if I could talk to the entertainment guy - David, I think his name is? - but she said that would probably make it worse.” I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair.

“Well, she didn’t tellmeno. Shit. I just realized she didn’t sing at the last home game we lost. Fuck! As soon as we get back to Milwaukee, I’ll talk to David. As team captain, I am not losing games because we have some rando-subpar anthem singer throwing off the energy in the arena because the asshole she was dating broke the rules,” he grumbles before sitting up straight, a concerned look on his face. “Okay, wait. She was dating that guy? But now you’re seeing her?”

“I told you.Longstory. After he got her fired, he dumped her.”

“And that’s when Hayes Larson swooped in to sweep her off of her feet?” he says with a smirk.

“I guess you could say that.”

“Well, you found yourself quite the catch there. I’ve never actually met her, but she is gorgeous, and from what I hear, everyone on the Riders staff loves her. And obviously, she’s got a killer voice.” Zack glances around, letting the chaos of the celebration wash over us. “We’ve got another two hours on this flight, so tell me the details…I’m a sucker for a good story.”

Zack and I spend the rest of the flight talking. He’s the captain for a reason. Even rehabbing an injury, he made sure I felt at home here in Milwaukee before the season started. And now he’s sitting here letting me go on and on about Olivia and agreeing that if Cayden Banks ever steps foot in our arena, he will be slammed into the boards with a head and leave the ice without one.

“Larsy, can I give you some advice?”

“I would expect nothing less from you, Cap.”

“If you think you love this girl, and from the look on your face, you do, tell her. Don’t live in fear of what might be. Sometimes things don’t work out, and we have to deal with the consequences. But in my experience, we learn to play without fear, might as well love without it too.”

“Damn, Z. Do they teach you to say this shit in Captain School?” I nudge him with my elbow with a smile. And fuck. He’s right. About all of it.Myonlyfear is being without her.Just then, the pilot comes over the intercom and lets us know we’re about to land, so the team starts to shuffle with movement as people put away their video games, laptops, and decks of cards, throwing drinks in the trash as the attendants come through.

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