Page 136 of Pucking Strong

He slips inside the bathroom, but he makes no effort to go to the urinal or a stall. Instead, he folds his arms and stands with his shoulder slightly in front of the door. “Why are you acting so odd?” he asks in Swedish.

“I’m not,” I reply defensively.

He just stares down at me, leaning against the wall.

I groan, rubbing the back of my neck. “Is it really that bad?”

“Worse,” he mutters. “I think Teddy is close to tears.”

My gut churns at the thought. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what?”

“This.” I gesture towards the bar. “I know what Teddy wants from me. He wants me to laugh, and tell jokes, and be the center of attention as easily as Jake or Novikov. But I don’t do this. I’m not that man.”

Ilmari just shrugs a shoulder. “Maybe you are. Maybe you’d enjoy it if you tried.”

I glare at him, crossing my arms too. “Like you’ve tried? You haven’t said a word all night. You’re just sitting across the table, watching me drown.”

“But I’m here,” he reasons.

“What?”

“Six years ago, I wouldn’t be. Six years ago, I was like you are now, living only for myself.”

This has me feeling even more defensive. Cursing under my breath, I step into his space. “Ilivefor others. My every thought is for others.”

“Youprovidefor others,” he corrects. “You live for yourself. Always in your own head, always wanting your own way. You were just the same out on the ice. You play as part of a team only when it suits you. And I say that with no judgment,” he adds. “As I say, I was exactly the same.”

“What happened for you to change?”

The corner of his mouth tips with a smile. “Rachel. Then Jake. Eventually Caleb. Now the children we share. I am forever changedby the people in my life who made changing feel not only possible, but desirable.”

I fight a smirk. “Jake before Caleb? That’s surprising.”

He shrugs again. “It shouldn’t be. Jake is the beating heart of our family. I knew I needed him in my life long before he ever knew he needed me. I would follow him to the ends of this earth. He’s the reason I’m here tonight. He wanted me here, so I’m here.”

“Jake Price calls, and the Mighty Mars comes running?”

“I would do anything for his happiness,” he replies with a solemn nod. “Including spending an evening having an awkward dinner with you.”

I groan.

“What would you do for Teddy’s happiness? What is he worth to you?”

A lightness grows in my chest at just the thought of him. His smile, his laugh, the way he’s always anxiously twisting his wedding ring on his finger. “Anything,” I reply. “Everything.” I look up, staring into Ilmari’s bearded face. “I want to give Teddy everything.”

He raises a scarred brow. “So, it’s not fake then?”

“What?”

“Your marriage. The rumor is that it’s fake … as much as I’m privy to team rumors, retired as I am.”

I scoff, dragging a hand through my hair. “You’re married to the head of PT, the head of equipment management, and the team captain.Andyou’ve been the President of the WAGs for four years. I doubt there’s a person alive who hears more Rays gossip than you.”

He dares to shrug again. “Caleb and Tess think it’s funny to keep nominating me. I’ve begged them to stop. Besides, it’s a title in name only. I have no real power. And I pay no attention to the gossip. But I’m pleased for you.” Reaching out, he squeezes my shoulder. “Teddy is a good person. He’s good for you.”

I brighten a little. “You think?”

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