Page 12 of The Official Problem
“Yes, of course, babe.” He patted Ivan’s arm and slid off his stool. “How about I grab you both a round and let you catch up.”
He didn’t wait for a response or Kieran’s order before disappearing into the crowd. Ivan watched him go, brow furrowed, a flicker of something—not quite sadness, but close—crossing his face.
“Everything okay?”
Ivan’s gaze snapped to him. “Sure,” he said, dragging the word. “Long day for him.”
The conversation shifted once Jasper returned with their drinks. Ivan launched into a stream of dining recommendations, most of which Kieran knew he’d forget by morning. He seemed a little too eager to talk up the joys of living in New Jersey, probably because he could tell Kieran had been second-guessing his decision since stepping off the plane.
“How’s the team looking this year?” Kieran asked, steering them into safer territory.
The Inferno had missed the playoffs last season. A few key losses and a January flu outbreak that sidelined half the first line had set them back beyond recovery. At one point, they had to call up both the third- and fourth-string goalies from the farm team. Ivan grimaced, clearly remembering the same disaster.
“Good, I think. We’ll see more Monday, when team is back on ice together. For now? Everyone is healthy.”
That was something, at least.
“I can’t wait to meet the guys.”
“If you stay longer, maybe someone shows up. This place is team favorite during the season.”
As good as that sounded, tonight wasn’t the night. It had been a long day filled with travel and regret.
“Damn. I’ll probably head out soon. I’ve got a lot to unpack.” In truth, he had nothing left to unpack. The three suitcases he’d brought were already stowed, and the handful of boxes he’d shipped wouldn’t arrive for another week.
“Got plans for tomorrow?” Ivan asked as Jasper reappeared at his side. He’d been off in a corner booth, scrolling through his phone since dropping off their drinks earlier.
“Some charity thing my agent signed me up for. You going?”
He still wasn’t sure what had possessed Cole to sign him up for a PR event one day after moving to a new state and three days before the season started. He wished Cole had thought twice. Kieran hadn’t even been able to chew him out. Cole’s text arrived right as the pilot warned them to switch devices to airplane mode. He’d conveniently been “in meetings” ever since Kieran landed.
“Nah,” Ivan said. “I think Nixy said he go. Youth center, right?”
Andre Nix was the Inferno’s starting goalie, and Kieran had spent more than one All-Star weekend getting drunk with him.
“Yeah.”
“Is a fun place. Nixy goes often. Always asking for gear, give to kids.”
On a typical day, Kieran would’ve been excited for something like this. Back in Seattle, he’d visited a similar youth center about once a month. Whenever his game felt off or hockey felt distant, one visit was usually enough to reset him. Right then, he decided to quit sulking about the timing and look forward to tomorrow. Even the shittiest situations could turn around with the right attitude, at least that was what his mother always told him.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” he said, mostly to himself. “It’ll be a good chance to meet some of the guys.”
“I ask Andre to send you the list,” Ivan said, already tapping at his phone.
“Thanks.” Kieran yawned, making a show of it before standing and shrugging on his jacket. “I’d better head out. Nice meeting you, Jasper. We’ll do this again soon, yeah?”
“Sounds good. See you at practice bright and early Monday morning,” Ivan said, giving Kieran a hug. Jasper gave his arm a light squeeze. “Nixy said he’ll get you list in a minute,” Ivan added as Kieran made his way to the door.
Not long after Kieran stepped into the eerily quiet townhouse he apparently lived in now, a text pinged from an unknown number.
Unknown
Welcome to the team.
He saved it under Andre’s name, then opened the attachment, eyes skimming the list. There appeared to be no rhyme or reason to it, just a disorganized collection of players seemingly thrown together last minute.
Blake Stirling and Trent Vahlgreen both played for New York. Logan Mercier, Andre Nix, and Kieran Lloyd from the Inferno. Louis Kessler, a Boston rookie, seemed a long way to drive for a one-morning event. And...
