Page 27 of Romancing the Grump
“The rules are an Appies thing,” he says. “Sort of our unofficial code of conduct.”
This totally tracks with what Parker told me about Nathan wanting to show Dominik how to be an Appie, but I’m curious to hear more from the guys themselves.
“What are they?” I ask. “Can you tell me?”
Alec nods at Van, like he’s giving him permission to elaborate.
“Clearly, the ones pertaining to dating are the most relevant for me,” Van says, motioning up and down his body likehis person is more than enough evidence as to why, “since I’m so much better at it than the rest of the team.”
Alec rolls his eyes, but honestly, I can’t help but smile. I’m not sure how Van manages to be both full of himself and utterly and completely charming at the same time, but he’s adorable, and he’s totally pulling it off.
“Just tell her the rules, man,” Nathan grumbles from beside me.
“Number one. We always respect women,” Van says. “All women. Whether we’re dating them or not. Being Appies means we’re role models, not just athletes. We take that seriously.”
All the guys at the table nod along as Van speaks, and my heart swells the tiniest bit.
“For me,” Van continues, “that means I’m always up-front about what I’m looking for, and I don’t date multiple women at once.”
“Okay. I like these rules. What else?” I ask.
“Your teammates are your brothers,” Alec says. “Even the ones you don’t like.”
Tucker coughs into his hand, the cough sounding an awful lot like the nameDominik,and his teammates laugh.
“No fights off the ice,” Nathan says.
“And no unnecessary fightsonthe ice,” Alec adds in his captain voice, leveling Nathan with a look.
Nathan looks down at his plate, clearly fighting a smile.
“Bruiser doesn’t start the fights,” Tucker says. “He just ends them.”
“Yeah, he does,” Van says, clapping Nathan on the back.
“Right. Parker told me that was your nickname,” I say.
Nathan looks over at me.
“You’re an enforcer.”
“I just don’t like it when people mess with my people.”The loyalty in Nathan’s voice is clear and unwavering, and I wonder if other teams in the league have this kind of kinship. It’s not a wonder Nathan was willing to sign a contract to playonlyfor the Appies.
I look at the rest of the guys, suddenly curious. “Hey, how many of you have AHL-only contracts with the Appies? Could any of you get called up to play with the Hurricanes?”
Tucker raises his hand. “I could. But I’m up for renegotiation next year. We’ll see what the Appies offer me.”
“I could too,” Van says. “But I’m with Tucker. The Appies don’t really feel minor league anymore. It’s weird to hope to just keep playing here, but I think a lot of us feel that way.”
“I’d be fine retiring as an Appie,” Alec says with a smirk. “You fools would never win without me, anyway.”
“Like wedidn’twin without you when you threw out your shoulder last season?” Nathan asks.
Alec scowls. “You’ll respect your captain, son.”
They all start to laugh, and I feel a new sense of appreciation for what these men mean to each other. They reallydoseem like brothers.
“So, Summer,” Van says, shifting the conversation to me. “Tell me. Do you have any sisters?” He lifts his eyebrows suggestively, giving me a wide grin.
