Page 2 of Face Off
I’ve never been one for tears, but my nose stings and my vision blurs when Grady squeezes me tight. He smells like day-old sweat, but I don’t care. I don’t know when I’ll get to see him, and I want to savor this moment.
He pulls away and gives me a serious look that tells me he’s about to go into protective mode. “Do you remember our rule?”
“No fornicating with teammates,” I laugh. “Don’t worry. I learned my lesson last time.”
“That includes Maverick Miller. He doesn’t believe in rules. He’s got a girl in every city, and he’s been pictured with models and actresses every other week. There’s a rumor floating around that some big-time reality dating show offered him the lead, but he turned them down.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve dealt with those kinds of guys my entire career. I don’t care how pretty or famous he is. I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole.”
“Good.” Grady kisses the top of my head and ruffles my hair. I swat him away, and his attention bounces to my cubby. “I never thought I’d see your locker empty. Where did all your shit go? There used to be nineteen hairbrushes and enough plants to supply oxygen to an entire town.”
“Fuck you.” I put my hands on my hips. “Don’t talk about Fernie and Freddie Ficus like that.”
“Their leaves were in my space. I’m glad to see them go.” Grady reaches in the front pocket of his jeans and pulls out a folded piece of paper. “This is for your new locker, if you can find any room for it.”
I unfold the crinkled note and choke on a laugh. It’s a photo of us we took on my first day with the Iguanas two years ago. His arm is slung over my shoulder. I’m leaning into him. We’rewearing matching grins and matching jerseys, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
“Look at us,” I say. “We’re babies. You had all your teeth.”
“And you thought bangs were a good idea.”
“Never again.” I bite my bottom lip. “You don’t think the Stars called me up for a ‘diverse hire’ thing, do you? So they can be the first team with a woman on their roster?”
“Fuck no. They called you up because you’re the best skater in the ECHLandthe AHL. Because you can go toe-to-toe with any guy in all three of the leagues. Who gives a shit if you have tits and wear a sports bra?”
“I wish everyone had the same attitude as you. Look how long it took me to win over the guys here—an entire season.”
“That’s because you’re prickly, not because you’re a woman. You’re my little cactus.” Grady pinches my cheek, and I glare at him. “If your new teammates want to talk shit, make them back it up when you scrimmage. Kick their asses then gloat humbly. If you’re feeling extra feisty, bring up their positions in the standings.” He stares at me, and his expression turns softer. “They’re going to make a movie about you one day.”
“This is getting weird. I’ve never had someone tell me so many nice things in a row without trying to get laid,” I joke.
“Yeah, yeah. You need to work on accepting a compliment every now and then.” He clicks his tongue. “Tell me about this person you’re going to be staying with. Is she safe?”
“Piper Mitchell wouldn’t kill a bee if it stung her. We were friends in high school, and she works for the Stars in their broadcasting department.”
“Teenage you had friends?” he asks, and another laugh slips out of me. “That must have been a sight.”
I flip him off and look around the locker room I’ve called home for two years, my heart hammering in my chest.
“It’s the end of an era, isn’t it?” I ask.
“And the start of a new one.” Grady lifts his chin toward the door. “You know I hate goodbyes. Get out of here before I chop up your plants and feed them to the birds.”
“You’d never.” I hug him again, and a piece of me roots itself to him with the embrace. “Be good, Whitlock. Keep your dick in your pants.”
“My confidence is taking a nosedive today. Is it really that bad? God, maybe that’s why Sabrina didn’t call me back after Saturday night at the bar.”
“Because your penis hangs to the left? I doubt it. It’s probably because her name is Samantha, not Sabrina.” I pat his shoulder. “Look at you turning into a fuck boy.”
“Dammit.” He tips his head back and stares at the ceiling. “I really liked her. The bar was too loud. I couldn’t hear. That’s on me for not asking her to repeat herself.”
“There’s always next time.” I scoop my bag off the floor. “I’m rooting for you.”
“Hey. No sleeping with your teammates just because you’re cold and bored and suffering from Mid-Atlantic seasonal depression.”
“I promise I’ll behave.” My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I check my notifications. “I should go. My ride’s here.”
“Love you, Emmy. Have the time of your life,” Grady says.
