Page 13 of Fair Play
Ya think?
Like I couldn’t have guessed that.
“What does that mean?” I ask, just because I can be ornery sometimes.
He narrows his eyes. “You know damn well what it means.”
“Jesus, dude, I literally met her for five minutes a few weeks ago and have said about twenty words to her tonight.” Maybe a little more than five minutes the night we danced, but she didn’t offer up that information so I’m certainly not going to.
“I just mean, she’s a nice girl. A little flighty sometimes, but smart and sweet, with a good head on her shoulders. The last thing I want for her is to fall for some hockey player who’s going to use her and then toss her away.”
“I’m a little offended you’re immediately putting me in a category like that.”
“How many times have you been married?” he counters, meeting my gaze directly.
Ouch.
“Twice,” I respond. “But I didn’t toss either of them away, just to be clear.”
And they took most of my money when they left, too.
“Look, all I’m saying is, leave her alone, okay? I know she’s attractive. I know the guys on the team would be all over her if I allowed it.”
I’m not in love with his attitude but I understand where he’s coming from.
“Billie’s already had a tough time, what with the accident and everything,” he continues. “I just don’t want her to get hurt. You know?”
“I’m not looking for anything,” I say diplomatically. “And I’m probably only going to be in L.A. for the rest of the season. Chances are, I’ll either be traded again or have to retire, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
He pauses. “You think this is it for you?”
I hesitate. This isn’t a subject I like to talk about. Especially not to someone on the team.
“I’m thirty-five,” I say instead. “My days are numbered. I’d like to play a few more years but the knees and hips aren’t always on board with that idea. So we’ll see.”
He nods. “I’m not trying to be a jerk. I just don’t want my sister to become another pro athlete’s divorce statistic.”
I nod. “Understood. Don’t worry about me. Besides, you really think an attractive young woman like her is going to be interested in an old fuck like me?” I laugh, like it’s the most ridiculous idea ever, even though I know damn well she would have gone out with me if I’d asked that night at Blue Thunder.
Bodi laughs too. “Well, I guess there’s that.”
“You worry too much. Relax and let her do her thing. Like you said, she’s smart and has a good head on her shoulders. You don’t have to micromanage her. I mean, first time I met her, she stabbed a guy with her stiletto. The second time, she kneed one in the nuts. I’m thinking she’s got her shit together.”
“I guess when you put it that way…”
We both laugh.
Then I help clean up the kitchen before making myself scarce.
I need to stay away from the house as much as possible.
Because keeping my distance from Billie Michener is going to be a hell of a lot harder than I made it sound like to Bodi.
If I can avoid her until we leave, she’ll hopefully be gone by the time we get back.
Then I can focus on getting through what might be my last season as a pro hockey player without a blue-eyed distraction who made me want to dance.
Chapter 5
