Page 15 of The Ex Puck Bunny
“Sorry?” I ask, waving Tammy in.
“That I didn’t recognize you.”
I bat my hand dismissively. “It’s not your job to rememberyour best friend’s bratty little sister. In fact, I’m glad you didn’t recognize me,” I say with a bit more bite than I mean.
He tucks his chin back, then opens and closes his mouth like he lives in a fish bowl.
Before he can continue, I interject, “Did you come here to tell me that? Is that all?”
He slides his hands into the front pocket of his sweatshirt. “I don’t want things to be awkward.”
“More awkward than me having my Fish Bowl shirt on inside out?” I give my head a jiggle.
His eyes crinkle with laughter. “I put my hockey jersey on inside out once. It was momentarily back to being number eighteen like in high school.”
Grr. That was not my desired response what with all the hockey talk and smooth smiles and smirky eyes that could make a girl melt. Skin burning with animosity, I want him to hate me as much as I hate him.
Tammy glides toward the little half door between the boards and glass. Wearing a grin, to Grady she says, “You’re the new guy playing for the Knights, right?”
He nods, somewhat sheepishly.
“My boyfriend is going to flip when he finds out I met you. Can I get a picture for proof?”
Grady is willing to do so, but not overly braggadocious like some pros I know. Cough, Trey, cough. We couldn’t get more than a few yards while in Vegas without someone stopping him for a selfie, which resulted in him crowing about how amazing he was.
At least Grady is modest. When he smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkle and sparkle in such a way that makes me think if he were a genie, he’d grant all three of my wishes and then add a fourth just to be nice.
That makes me want to hate him even more.
For the next couple of minutes, Tammy misses out on her ice time because Grady asks about her career and her boyfriend, who aspires to be in the NHL—a classic coupling set up to fail.Hello!? I would know.
But Grady is like a big brother, a mentor, offering support and encouraging them both in their pursuits.
I can’t let that stop me from loathing him and everything he stands for.
CHAPTER FOUR
When I exitthe Ice Palace after taking a full tour, I’m still scratching my head at Heidi’s hostility toward me. I came here to scope it out, learn my way around, and get a feel for the place before I officially show up as the Knights newest defenseman.
During intense parts of the season, I would’ve done almost anything to get some downtime. But I wasn’t looking for three months off. However, it gave me time to think and reflect, polish up some skills, and learn to dodge probing questions about why I was hung out to dry.
The GM made an example of me among the players on the Pittsburg Generals, but he kept the details from the public. People speculated, but I didn’t do anything wrong, which only made it worse.
My reasoning for not coming clean with the whole story was long-term self-preservation. I want to play hockey until I’m no longer an asset to the team. As a free agent, I hope to get that chance with the Knights.
Unlike Derek, I have my doubts about Coach Badaszek playing me.
They weren’t my first pick. Not because they’re a lousy team. They’re exceptional and Badaszek has a reputation for being both tough and keeping his players out of trouble.
Why he picked me is baffling.
Why Heidi seems to hate me, equally so.
My problem with the Knights has everything to do with being back in Cobbiton. Maybe that’s Heidi’s too, but it’s not like I’m the mayor or the town’s personal representative. I left as soon as I could and never intended to come back. Perhaps that’s her story as well.
But it’s not as bad as I expected. Seeing Derek and his family is great. Even if his sister, who went from brat to beautiful—not that I’d ever tell her that because she’d punch me—seems extremely unhappy about my return.
I snap my fingers. Maybe it’s because she’s afraid I’m going to steal all her brother’s attention. He did mention that he’s her manny on Tuesday and Thursday nights. If that’s the case, I feel bad for Deborah, Derek’s wife, because she must also face Heidi’s wrath.
