Page 14 of In My Hockey Era
“This is Waffles,” she says, scratching behind the pup’s ears.“He’s being fostered here until he finds a permanent home.”
“Waffles?”I repeat.“That’s a terrible name.”
Lucy gasps, looking genuinely offended.“Take that back right now.”
I cross my arms.“Not happening.A dog this cute deserves a strong name.Something badass.Like Thor.”
She glares at me like I’ve personally insulted her entire existence.“Youwouldname a dog Thor.”
“What’s wrong with Thor?”
“Nothing.If you’re aten-year-old boy.”She gives me a once-over, letting her eyes drift lower,lower...“Or you’re overcompensating for something.”
Hunter is full-on laughing now, shaking his head.“You two need therapy.”
Lucy huffs and turns her attention back to the puppy.“Well,Waffleslikes his name, don’t you, buddy?”
Waffles licks her chin in response, tail wagging, and I swear to you, the sight of her all soft and smiling like that does something dangerous to my brain.
I clear my throat, and shove my hands in my pockets.“So, what exactly does volunteering here entail?”
Lucy eyes me suspiciously.“You’re serious?”
“I came all this way, didn’t I?”
She sighs, clearly debating whether this is worth her time.Finally, she gestures for me to follow her.“Fine.Come on,Thor.”
Hunter claps me on the back as we trail behind her.“This is fun.I like her.”
I glare at him.“Don’t get any ideas.”
He smirks.“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
But as I watch Lucy crouch down to play with the puppies, her laughter echoing through the room, I realize I’m the one with the problem.
BecauseI’mthe one getting ideas.And I might be in more trouble than I thought.
• • •
Shoveling dog crap was not how I expected to spend my afternoon, but here I am.
Literally.
The smell isbad.Like, burn-your-nose-hairs-off bad.I adjust my grip on the shovel and try to breathe through my mouth as I scoop up another pile and toss it into the bin.
Lucy, of course, isthrivingin this environment.She’s knee-deep in playing with a bunch of shelter dogs, her laugh ringing out like she doesn’t evennoticethe fact that I’m back here doing manual labor.
And then it gets worse.
Hunter—my owntraitorousteammate—walks in, all easy confidence and grumpy charisma.He’s not even holding a damn shovel.
Lucy beams when she sees him.Beams.
“Hunter, I have an assignment for you if you’re game.”
Hunter smirks.“Yeah?I like the sound of that.You can put me to work anytime.”
Lucy nudges him with her shoulder.“Okay big guy, you can take the excitement down one notch.”
