Page 40 of Three Pucking Words
“We can still go over the positions on the ice,” I promise, wiggling my fingers in front of her gaze to see if she’ll accept my hand. “And you can ask me whatever else you need to. Like how travelling for away games works. We haven’t discussed that, and you’ll need to know it for the upcoming matches we have. So, use me. That’s what I’m here for. Well, that and to get ice cream with. I’m really in the mood for a peanut butter shake now that I suggested it. It tastes just like a Reese’s cup.”
I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but the smallest curve tilts her lips at the corners. She whispers, “I love peanut butter cups” so quietly, it makes me wonder if she meant to speak it aloud.
Then she looks up at me, her glassy gaze getting better by the second. “Okay. But I’m going to hound you with questions about the defensive line because I kept getting that mixed up during the last game.”
When she takes my hand, I pull her up in one swift motion. “Deal.”
Her hand squeezes mine. “And I’m buying my own shake.”
“Fine,” I tell her.
When we get to the ice cream store, it’s me who beats her to the cashier despite the glare she casts in my direction as I tap my credit card against the reader.
But I see it.
The tiniest smile hidden behind the straw of her shake.
And one small smile feels like I just won the Stanley Cup.
*
Long after Honoris picked up by Sylvia to go home, I lay awake in bed with my phone screen displaying everything there is to know about polycystic ovarian syndrome. I’ve already watched three different videos breaking down the disease that looks and sounds painful, including the lasting side effects and treatment plans.
The more I learn, the worse I feel for Honor. It’s no wonder she was so upset earlier. And there’s nothing I can really do to help her, which sucks. The milkshake was a temporary distraction that seemed to lighten the mood enough to go back and forth on the six key players and what their positions are on the ice, and how often players are switched out during a game. By the time we were finished with our drinks, she seemed to understand the primarily roles of my teammates and who filled the positions throughout the games.
But milkshakes can’t help forever.
In fact, I’m pretty sure dairy causes flareups for people with PCOS, so there goes my feel-good go-to.
Whoops.
The next day, I pick up Gemma from her sleepover and ask if she wants to help put together a goodie basket for Honor. Although she only met her once, she knows exactly who I’m talking about. Because along with the numerous supplements and vitamins that I jotted down last night in my note app, Gemma added dog toys and treats for Puck in the grocery basket.
And despite her protests, I wait until I have to go back to the sports complex to drop off the goodie basket in the small office Honor was given. Part of me is glad she isn’t here when I show up, because I don’t know if she’d rather I forget her admissionand pretend it never happened or not. So, I play it off the rest of the day even when I feel her gaze on me when Coach is talking to her about something off the ice.
But the way she stares feels like entirely new territory.
CHAPTER TEN
Honor
Honey.
Ever since Bodhi called me that, it left a lasting impression coiled deep in my chest that I haven’t been able to erase. As if that wasn’t annoying enough, he has to go and dothis.
“What is all that?” Karina asks, sifting through the basket of vitamins. She picks up a package of dental dog treats with raised brows, then a bottle of Vitamin B12. “It looks like someone robbed a pharmacy and pet store for you.”
I snort, because she’s not far off. The note that was left in the middle of the basket didn’t say much. It was short and sweet and did something to my heart that I haven’t felt in years.
Did some research. Hope this helps.
P.S. Gemma picked out the dog stuff
—B
If I thought being called ‘honey’ by this man did something to my chest, it didn’t compare to him doing research on my condition and then shopping for things he thought could help.
Have I tried most of these supplements? Yes. Will I try them again just because he bought them for me? Probably. And Puck loves playing when he’s not working, so I know he’ll love the toys that Bodhi’s daughter chose.
