Page 64 of Skating and Fake Dating
Then I check myself because Bailey and I are not a real couple. The thought makes my chest lurch.
Later that day, the locker room is boisterous as I enter for practice. Several weeks in with the Ice Breakers and I feel like we’re really gelling as a team.
“As we get more familiar with each other’s style, strengths and weaknesses, and become comfortable with Coach Hauser, I imagine we’ll dominate this season,” Jamie adds with a grin as if he’s already hoisting the Stanley.
Nate Simpson, one of our other forwards, and who I learned is not one of my teammates’ favorite humans on the planet after something that happened during the Ice Breakers charity run, juts his chin toward me. “Speaking of getting comfortable, what’s this I hear about a girlfriend situation? Last I knew, you were down and out on Heartbreak Lane.”
We have the same agent, so I assume word got back to him from Gabe, but the question catches me off guard. I’ve been careful not to bring Bailey too much into team life because the fewer lies we have to unravel later, the better. However, I realize now that there hasn’t been a single day that’s passed when I haven’t mentioned something about her to the guys.Huh.
“It’s new,” I say vaguely.
Simpson, the kind of person who seems to be everywhere all at once, except when you need him on the ice, says, “Team dinner tonight. Bring her along. All the WAGs and puck bunnies will be there.”
Are those the kinds of groups you really want to mix? Female fans and the dedicated wives and girlfriends of players? I’ve gotten the gist that Nate’s priorities are off and this confirms it.
I think about Bailey’s unease at the coffee shop and reluctance to be photographed and they collide with Charlene’s constant complaints about the scrutiny, the gossip, and the expectations.
“She’s pretty busy.”
He mock pouts. “Too busy for your teammates?”
I lace my skates. “I’ll ask her.”
“Good. Because she’s getting added to Brittany’s group text. We’ll see you at seven.” Nate winks.
As the team filters onto the ice, I check my phone one more time. Bailey’s last text stares me down. On top of the new local team, the threat of losing the land in Maple Falls to a developer persists. Everyone has been coming up with ideas to raise funds to save the town. There has been talk that even the arena could be in jeopardy because the parking lot is on this contested land.Washington is a big state and I have no doubt the NHL and owners would find a new arena location, but I don’t want to uproot again. I rather like this place … and a certain local. Not only that, but it provides jobs and entertainment. It would be a shame to see it have to close. A big council meeting is tonight and Bailey hopes I can be there. Never mind dinner. But once again, I can’t help but think about how we’re from different worlds.
She wants a small-town life. Meanwhile, I spend a third of my time on the road.
Hauser tells us to take five. I squirt water into my mouth and take a deep breath. Coach has been pushing us hard today. The cool water is a relief against the heat of exertion despite spending all my time on a freezing sheet of ice.
“Hey, Carson!” Weston slides in beside me on the bench, grinning ear to ear. He pulls his phone from his pocket like he’s got winning lottery numbers. “Did you see the Maple Falls Gazette this morning?”
“No,” I answer cautiously, because why would I?
Weston’s smile grows wider, not necessarily a good sign since he can be a jokester.
“Oh,mon ami,” Clément says, joining us with his French accent thicker than usual when he’s amused. “You have become, how you say, a local celebrity.” He pats my shoulder with his gloved hand.
Lucian hurries over, looking concerned. “Guys, don’t make it worse. Carson might not like the attention.”
“Make what worse?” I ask, reaching for Weston’s phone.
He pulls it back teasingly. “Should I read the headline? ‘Puck-er Up: Local Girl Melts Ice Around Hockey Star’s Heart.’ And there’s a picture of you and Bailey. Look at your face! You’re redder than the maple leaves on the trees outside.”
My pulse skids with uncertainty. Sure enough, there I am at Maple Grounds, staring at Bailey like a love-sick dope while she laughs at something I said. The article is about how BaileyPorter, “Former Maple Falls Maple Maker,” is dating Carson Crane, ‘Gentleman Wingman for the Ice Breakers.’
Weston is nearly doubled over with laughter over the whole puck-er up thing, giving me the chance to nab his phone and review the article. It’s not awful, but I’m not sure how Bailey will feel about it.
Clément says dreamily, “Bailey has scored the goal of your heart.”
Lucian frowns at the article. “The journalist shouldn’t have published this without your permission. Want me to call the editor?”
“Do you know the editor?”
He shrugs as if backpedaling and mutters, “I know people.”
“Classic Lucian,” Weston says, still chuckling. “Always trying to fix everything. Let the man enjoy his fame!”
