Page 114 of Replay

Not that kissing Josh was a hardship.

He still had times he stressed about the uncertainty around his hockey-playing future, but so far rehab was going well, and he was spending a lot of his free time studying films of games. Once the brace and crutches were gone, he was going to the practice arena when the team was in town to do exercises with the team trainers, and I knew he’d be talking to Coach as well. I was confident he’d be playing next season and made plans to deal with that.

School was enjoyable again. My new advisor was much easier to deal with. He still questioned and challenged me, but he was willing to offer his advice when I asked for it and never gave me that same misogynistic vibe. And my research project, slightly amended, was a go.

All in all, once we’d gotten through Christmas with Mrs. Middleton, life had been so much better than it had seemed for those few dark days in December. Josh was coming home with me for reading week, and he’d have his turn on the hot seat. Mom and Dad were starting to come around to the idea of the two of us, and once they heard Josh brag about how I was doing at school, they’d end up supporting us.

I’d have never thought we’d get here, Josh and me, after that night he arrived at the condo with Madeline. But I was so glad he did.

Josh

Katie was tucked up beside me and I’d soon be done with the crutches. I hoped I’d be able to play next season, but I was working on the stuff Coach had talked about. So whatever happened, I’d have a future, most likely with hockey. Conversation swirled around me, and I was happy to enjoy being with my girl and my teammates.

“I swear, that chick was hiding everything in that purse she had…”

“The ref was looking right at him and still didn’t…”

My phone chirped, so I pulled it out of my pocket. It was a message from my agent, Allen.

Don’t freak out. You’re not part of the trade.

Of course I immediately freaked out. A trade? No one would want to trade for me till we had a better idea if I’d be able to play again. Or would they?

Don’t you know me? Of course I’m freaking out.

It’s not you, so settle. Team’s getting a goal scorer. It’s a rental, doesn’t mean they’re giving up on you.

Sure, but if that rental did well, they might sign him on again. I must have tensed up, because Katie noticed there was something going on.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered in my ear.

“Allen said there’s a trade.”

Her eyes went wide. “Where?”

“It’s not me. They traded for a rental for the playoffs.”

Daniel was across from Katie, and we weren’t quiet enough. “Who’s traded?”

He’d spoken loud enough for Royster to hear. “There’s a trade?”

Now everyone heard. “Shit, anyone got a message from their agent?”

“I did!” I yelled.

“No, Ducky! We need you next season!”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not me.”

“Who is it?”

Was I supposed to keep this quiet? But if it was a done deal, the whole world would know soon.

“I don’t have any names. Allen says there’s a trade, for a playoff rental. A goal scorer. That’s all I know.”

“We could use someone to take your place till you’re back, Ducky,” Oppy said.

I knew that. Didn’t mean I liked it. Some of the guys started guessing names, but most of them had a phone out. The atmosphere at the table had turned tense. My fault. Even Cooper was texting—probably his agent.

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