Page 87 of Pucking Strong

Meanwhile, Coach looks as red as a tomato as he slams his fist down on the desk. “Enough!”

The guys all jolt as Caleb quickly tries to unfold himself from Jake’s lap. But Jake wraps an arm around his hips, keeping Caleb pinned.

Coach looks around at all of us with a disappointed shake of his head. “Why I haven’t retired already, I swear I’ll never know. Now, all of you, get your heads out of your asses, get out of my damn office, and go get ready for the goddamn game!”

Before any of us can move, there’s a knock on the door.

“What?” Coach shouts.

Brad Brady pops his head inside the door. “Hey, is Karlsson in here?”

Coach sighs. “He’s right here, Brady. What do you need?”

Brady turns to me. “Uhh … it’s Teddy. You better come quick.”

“Christ have mercy,” Coach mutters.

My heart drops. “What happened?”

Brady just shakes his head. “I don’t know, man. He’s sorta freaking out though.”

I move for the door, my mind already imagining the worst. “What happened?” I say again.

Brady swings the door open, letting me exit. “He says his mom is here.”

I stop. “What?”

“Yeah. He says she wants to meet you.”

Twenty Minutes Earlier

“And down that hallway is where they keep the Zamboni,” I say, holding up my phone as I walk. Hanna and Karolina watch through the video chat. Karro wanted to see the arena where Morbror Henrik plays. So far, she’s only been allowed to visit the practice arena. We’re waiting until we get the all clear about her cracked ribs before we even consider bringing her to the chaos and bustle of a live game day.

“Through there is where we do PT with the players,” I go on, pointing out the double doors of the PT suite. “Morbror Henrik likes to get a leg massage before and after each game.”

“Do you give him massages?” asks Karro in her cute little button accent.

I chuckle. “No, honey. I’m Morbror Henrik’s partner, remember? I’m not allowed to treat him while we’re at work.”

Off work is a different story. But I imagine hell will freeze over before Henrik asks me for a sexy oil massage. His loss. I really am magic.

“Hey, you wanna watch Mr. Caleb sharpen some skate blades?” I walk down the hall, following the telltale sound of the blade sharpener.

I don’t know if I’m technically supposed to be back here right now. But I never come to games unless I’m working them. It feels too weird to just wander around up on the concourse with all the normal fans. What am I gonna do, buy a foam finger?

Fine, maybe I’m hiding out. The moment I go up to my seat, the cameras will be on me. That’s what we’re here for, right? This isn’t fun. It’s work. I’m walking around in this damn WAG jacket, my hair is done, my jeans are pressed, the shoes are fly, and I’m wearing one of Henrik’s gorgeous European watches … and his cologne.

This is all armor. Because any minute now, Poppy is going to text me to meet her at section 102, and then I’ll be on stage. Lights, camera, action. Until that moment, I’m gonna stay down in these tunnels like a groundhog and pretend I’m not afraid of my own shadow.

“Can I see Morbror?”

“Not right now, honey. He’s getting ready for the game, remember? But I’ll take so many pictures and videos for you once he’s on the ice, okay?”

“Will you bring me candy?”

I laugh. “Girl, I will bring homesomuch candy. When this game is over, we’re gonna sit on that couch together and rot our teeth eating Milk Duds and Swedish Fish and German roasted pecans. Morbror Henrik is gonna have to fire Nurse Hanna and hire a live-in dentist.”

Hanna rolls her eyes with a patient smile. I swear, Idolike her. The jealous diva in me just aches to think of her as competition. Me and pretty, perfect Hanna? Yeah, that’s a contest Teddy wouldn’t win.

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