Page 54 of Puck You
“Then join me for my lifting session.If you’re not avoiding me, that is.”
Grace bit her bottom lip in consideration.The sight made me want to lean over and claim her mouth for a second time.
“I’m working on mobility today,” she said.
“Perfect, I really need to loosen up.”When I saw how unimpressed she was with my words, I added, “Give me a chance to show you that I’m not the same asshole you met in September.”
Damn, I sounded desperate, but I was past the point of caring.
“Fine,” she relented, though she didn’t sound happy about it.“Just this once.”
I flashed her a broad smile.“Tell me where you want me.”
She only arched an eyebrow in response, but I could see the telltale signs of a blush in the heat that crept up her neck.Good, I thought.I wanted her mind deep in the gutter beside mine.If we were both there, I’d feel less alone.
Grace grabbed another mat from the back wall and passed it over.I laid it alongside hers, leaving just a sliver of space between them.
“Let’s start with ankle gliders,” she instructed, settling onto her right knee.
I mirrored her position, one knee down and one leg bent at a ninety-degree angle.Slowly, we shifted forward, extending our knees over our toes before returning to the starting position.After eight reps on one ankle, we switched to the other.The entire time, I followed Grace’s slow breathing cadence, in through my nose and out through my mouth.My eyes lingered along the muscles in her calves and quads, entranced by the way they pulled tight and flexed with each of her movements.
“Do you always come in before practice to work out?”
She shook her head.“I prefer to split things up by morning and evening, but I’ve been swamped with schoolwork lately.I need as much time as I can get after classes to catch up.”
“So very studious,” I teased.
“The same could be said for you, Evans,” she said, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.“I’ve seen you in the library more than most athletes.”
“I can assure you I’m not the studious type.I didn’t even plan to finish school originally.But I need to keep my grades up to stay on the team,” I admitted.
“You were drafted by Detroit, right?”
I nodded my head.“They wanted me to get some experience in the NCAA before signing a pro contract.I figured it would happen after sophomore year, but ...”I trailed off, my throat tightening.
“But you tore your ACL,” she finished.
“And a few other things in the knee region, but my ACL was a mess.”I looked down at the long scar that stretched across my knee as if to remind myself that it was all in the past.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”She sounded exasperated, as if she’d been expecting the question all along and was unwilling to answer.
Okay.Maybe I needed to be more specific.“Have you ever considered going pro?”
Grace had more than enough talent to pursue a proffesional career in hockey.Not only were her skating and stickhandling skills remarkable, but she made quick, intelligent decisions on the ice.That’s what made a great player—the choices they made in high-impact moments.Grace paused at the bottom of her Cossack squat as she considered my question.I was impressed by the depth of her stretch.Most hockey players had chronically tight hip flexors, but she was only a few inches from the floor.The sight brought forth a myriad of dirty thoughts.
“I love hockey,” she stated, pushing up and then settling down to stretch out her opposite hip, “and at one point, I consideredplaying professionally.But I want to go to grad school.I just finished submitting my applications for my master’s degree.”
I’d never admit it, but a small part of me itched for the chance to do the same—to leave hockey behind and never look back.I often wondered what my life would be like without it, but my love for the sport always won out.It was entrenched into everything that made me who I was.I couldn’t let go.I couldn’t let him down.
“What kind of programs did you apply for?”
“Social work.There’s an amazing program at the University of Chicago, but it’s nearly impossible to get into.I want to stay as close to home as possible.”
It came as no surprise to learn that Grace was interested in a career that involved helping other people.The girl was annoyingly selfless.After all, the terms of our bet provided no direct benefit to her.Any money donated to the women’s program would only impact future hockey players.
“But I could see myself coaching in the future.I like kids,” she added.
