Page 7 of Playing the Neutral Zone

I moved off the ice without looking up.If she was right there, I didn’t want to make eye contact.It was bad enough she’d know who I was playing for now, even though she probably already did.

“I heard you were giving her an interview tonight?”he questioned, stopping before heading toward the away team’s dressing room.

“No, I uh, I asked not to be interviewed.Besides I need to get home to Mia.Listen, we’ll catch up soon.I have to run.”

“Sure thing, man, give her a little peck for me.Miss that kid.See you later!”

“Later!”I called after him as I made my way down toward our locker room.

Most of the guys on the team had taken off right after they had changed so they could get to the interview on time.I’d taken my time, took a hot shower and, once I was dressed, I grabbed my jacket and keys.

I made my way down the hallway and to our private entrance.I shoved it open and stepped out into the covered parking garage, the cool fall air hitting me in the face.I began heading toward my car when I heard someone say my name.

I turned around, and that was when I saw her step into the light.She looked the same, her dark hair styled the same way she wore it six years ago.She looked sexy as hell in the form-fitting beige suit she wore.I couldn’t stop my eyes from skimming over her body before they landed back on her face.

“Levi Anderson.So, I heard it through the grapevine that you refused to allow me to interview you tonight?”she questioned, taking a step forward.

How the hell had she found that out, I wondered to myself.I’d gone to Pamela in private.Perhaps she was only saying that, since it was probably known in her circles I didn’t like to give interviews.

“If I’d have been asked, the interview would have been yours,” I answered, tripping over my words.

“I see.So, you aren’t ignoring me?”

“Of course not.Why would I ignore you?”I questioned.

“For the same reason you’ve been ignoring me for the past six years—because of that morning,” she said, taking another step closer.“Because you’re still angry with me.”

Scarlett had always been my weakness.She’d always been the one I’d done everything for and the one I’d thought would never ever walk away from me, so when she did exactly that after the woman, I’d had a one-night stand with appeared with my child, it had ruined me.I wouldn’t call it angry—hurt and broken-hearted would have been more like it.

“I’m not angry, Scarlett.I’m sure you had your reasons for walking away.I declined the interview for one simple reason: I just don’t give interviews.”

“You just said, had you of been asked, the interview would have been mine.”

“I meant maybe—maybe it would have been yours,” I corrected and cleared my throat, running my fingers through my hair.“Besides, I’m just getting settled with the team and in this area, and I’ve decided I want to keep a low profile for now.Let Mia get settled into school and adjust to living here without a lot of fanfare.”

Scarlett glanced at her watch and then softly smiled.

“How is Mia?”She questioned, looking down at the ground.

“She’s good.”I said, glancing at my watch, which made Scarlett look at hers.

“Well, Levi, it was good seeing you.Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

I frowned.A stranger?Was she serious?She lived in New York, and she was the one who’d made it more than perfectly clear that there was no chance of us having any type of relationship the very last time we spoke.

“Good luck with everything.It was nice seeing you.”

I watched as she turned away and entered the building.I don’t know why I stood there for a moment, maybe I was waiting for her to return, but when I realized what I was doing I shook my head, turned and made my way to my car.

I steppedoff the ice the next morning breathless and sat down on the bench.Thank God for breaks I thought to myself as I grabbed my water bottle and took a drink

I was exhausted.Sleep hadn’t been kind to me last night, and neither had my memory.Seeing Scarlett again had only reminded me of the memories I’d worked so hard to forget.I reached into my bag and grabbed my granola bar, ripped the wrapper, and took a bite as I watched the rest of the team continue with drills.

“Looking good out there, buddy,” I heard a voice say, and turned to see Scottie leaning over the boards from behind me.

“Hey, man.How are you?”I questioned, glad to see my best friend.

“Good.Thought I’d come check out your practice like I used to, so I could see what it is I’m missing out on.”

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