Page 47 of Lucky Shot
“What do you do?”
A boyish grin lifts the corners of his mouth and a swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach.
“I kick a soccer ball around with Travis.”
“Soccer?”
“Yeah. It’s a thing a lot of hockey guys do. It’s a fun way to work out any nerves while getting the legs warm.”
“Makes sense.” I bring the pen to my lips as I think. I hadn’t expected this much detail in his game day routine, and I have a dozen more questions now. “It’s just you and Travis?”
“Yeah. Some of the younger guys have a big game going in the hallway, but Trav and I go to the training room, where it’s a little quieter.”
“Was it different at your last team?” I ask.
“It was similar enough.”
“Is switching teams hard?”
“Sometimes.”
“Was it for you?”
“No. It was the best thing for me and Aidan.” His tone leaves no room for debate, so I don’t pry but I am curious. I saw a few news articles and fan discussion boards questioninghis trade. Some people think there was friction with his Wildcat teammates or coaches. Others speculate that he wanted more money.
“So you and Travis go off, just the two of you, and…kick a soccer ball back and forth?”
He rests two hands on his stick and leans slightly. “Mhmm.”
“Is there music or conversation?”
“The guys in the hallway have music going which filters in to us.”
“And conversation?”
“Mostly Travis fills me in on his dating escapades.”
A surprised laugh bubbles up in my chest. “He’s that guy, huh?”
“Women love him.”
My gaze narrows. I wonder if he thinks women don’t like him. No. No way. That’d be crazy. There’s absolutely no world in which he doesn’t have women vying for his attention at every turn.
“What?” he asks.
I smooth out the questioning look on my face and smile. “Nothing.”
The weighty scowl he returns tells me he knows I’m holding back.
“What about before you go to the rink on game days?”
“If we’re out of town, then there’s a team breakfast and a morning skate, then a nap in the hotel.”
“And at home?” I prompt him.
“I still have breakfast and get to the rink for a skate, but the time at home varies on what else is going on.”
I must have a confused expression as I stare at him because he continues without prompting.
