Page 34 of In My Hockey Era
“Lucy, you and Bennett have been looking pretty cozy lately.Any updates on that front?Asking for, you know… everyone.”
I suck in a breath.My face flames so fast, I can practically feel my brain short-circuiting.
“Oh, uh.Hah.Wow, okay.That’s—um—” I run a hand through my hair, looking anywhere but the mic, even though no one can see me.“Not really sure what you mean by ‘cozy’ exactly, but Bennett and I are just—”
Friends?No.Acquaintances?Also no.Public rivals turned reluctant co-hosts turned… something else?
I think about his smirk.His hands on me.His mouth on mine.
My brain sputters out completely.
“We’re… just figuring things out,” I finally mumble, suddenly fascinated by my keyboard.“Anyway!That’s all the time we have for questions tonight, folks!Thanks for listening, and as always—go Stampede!”
I cut the recording and drop my head onto my desk, groaning.
Yeah.That was smooth.Real smooth.
• • •
Today at work has been insane.First there was a traumatic car accident, then a suspected drug overdose, followed by a domestic stabbing.Yeah, I wish I was kidding.I’m sure I’ll have an adrenaline crash later, but I’m still somehow running on fumes.
“How can you eat after this?”Ethan asks, nodding to the sandwich half-stuffed into my bag.
We’ve barely had a second to breath all shift.
“How can you not?”I shoot back.Trauma carb loading is a thing.
I think about the other night when Bennett showed up at my door with food.I’m used to patching people up, but no one’s ever really taken care of me before… untilhedid.That entire evening still feels a little surreal.
“You have the next two days off, right?”Ethan asks.
“Yup.And I’m not going to think about work once.”
“I hear that,” Ethan says.
I’m more than ready to leave this day behind me.
A text from Bennett makes everything better.I’ve just packed up and am walking to my car when my phone chimes.
Bennett:I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.
Wow, direct and to the point.I like how he doesn’t play games.How he says what he’s thinking—it’s refreshing.
I can’t help teasing him a little.Poking the bear.
Me:New phone…who dis?
Rather than replying, my phone rings.I toss my bag onto the back seat and answer.
“Hello?”
“Nice try, Quinn.I know you’re thinking about it too.”
I whimper.
“Where are you right now?”he asks.
“Just finishing a shift.”
