Page 39 of Sporting Goods

I watched Jax work the puck in the direction he wanted it. Logan tried to get around me and I blocked him again, nearly losing my balance when I felt his warm breath against my ear.

“You always sell yourself short like that?”

I twisted my neck to look up at him, clearly having not a clue what he was talking about.

“You’re a knockout,” he whispered, freezing me in place. Then he rounded me and went after my kid, slipping the puck from under him.

My eyes went wide. “Oh. Now it’s on.” I kept my eyes on Logan, who was grinning practically ear to ear. “Jax, mommy’s got a secret. I’m actually pretty good at this heinous sport.”

Logan shrugged. “Hey, I bet you could learn a lot by jumping up and down in pretty skirts every time your team gets a goal.”

I skated over to the net, passing Logan and skidding hard across the ice, shavings flying in mid-air and lifted the puck.

I hovered over Jax and told him my game plan. It was on the whim, but he seemed to follow. As directed, Jax skated over to Logan and faced off with him. Logan couldn’t help his smile. I moved between them and dropped the puck. Logan let Jax grab it and gave him a head start. Then went after it. I blocked Logan with my body and stick, but he maneuvered away, going after Jax. I sprinted faster and forward, gaining speed and power, blocking him again.

He laughed, giving in. “That’s good, now how ‘bout you try a body slam?”

I perked up. “Oh good idea… but there’s no one around I’d like to slam my body against so…”

“Ouch.”

“Goal,” Jax shouted.

“Awesome, buddy,” Logan cheered. “But just next time, throwing your hands in the air was great. Leave out the ‘goal’.”

I nodded at Logan. “Oh nice. Yeah, crush his enthusiasm.”

“Okay Jax, now you drop the puck between me and mom over here.” His eyes were back on mine. “I have to see something.”

I raised a brow. “And what’s that?”

“If chicks can really play a man’s sport.” He winced at his own words, but his eyes were smiling.

“Drop it Jax.”

He dropped and Logan grabbed it, already pushing it away from me. I went after it. No, I gunned after it, rolling around the ice like I hadn’t in years, making Logan turn and practically gawk, but somehow, never losing the puck. It was as if he had a sixth sense that followed that thing everywhere. At my second attempt, I did a single spin, landing directly in front of him and swiped the puck.”

“Hey, that was practically cheating.”

I landed the puck in the net. “I thought the great Logan Danes doesn’t take his eyes off the puck. Or lose focus… I am innocent.” I glided over to Jax who was holding his hand up for a high five.

Logan relaxed his shoulders and slouched a bit, eyeing me. “You look me up?”

“What? No. I heard things—from you, you must have mentioned it.” I pressed my lips together.

“It’s cool if you were curious. I’m not known to be an open book...so the world wide web is a good start.”

I rolled my eyes and noticed a man step out onto the ice, clearing the nets and cones. Logan slid over to help him and Jax followed.

“Hey Marty, this is Jax and his mom, Rayne. Jax is trying out for hockey this season.”

“Hey, that’s great. You’ll do great, kid.” He took a cone from him. “And hey when these two are done breaking your curfew, come find me, I’ll get you a hot chocolate.”

Marty winked at me and I stretched a hand out to him. “It’s nice to meet you, Marty.”

“Pleasure is all mine.” He turned to Logan, pushed his brows. “I’m going to bring in the Zamboni soon, but you have a few more minutes.”

“Thanks Marty, but I think we’re good for tonight.” Logan offered, looking to me for confirmation.

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