Page 13 of Down to Puck

“Hand me those super-skinny jeans. Between the two of us, we can get them up and over your dump truck.”

I grimace, but nod.

The things we do for love.

* * *

The Nest is more than a stadium with a gym and some houses attached. It’s a full campus, complete with its own post office and fire station. The well-kept grounds are designed to have minimal impact on the local ecology. There are jogging trails, bike paths, sprawling parks, and art installations. The entire compound is open to the public, like a hockey-themed amusement park.

And at the center of it all is a massive open-air ice rink.

The early fall air is crisp, and I lean in close to Emerson as he walks us toward the ice. When he picked me up, Emerson assured me that the jeans were fine. But I’m suddenly rethinking my decision to let Sky squeeze me into the tightest pair I own.

“Oh no,” I breathe out. “Mistakes were made.”

There are a few skaters in the rink now. Mostly couples snuggling close together as they take slow spins around the perimeter. There are also a handful of teenagers and one family with identical toddlers in tow. It’s a sweet, romantic scene that makes my heart ache.

“You said you’ve never skated before. I had to be your first,” Emerson moves around to take both my hands in his.

“I don’t have skates,” I cock my head at him.

Emerson is wearing jeans too. They’re faded and worn at the pockets, hugging his muscular frame like a lover. His long-sleeved button-down is a pale lavender that brings out the gold in his seafoam eyes. He smiles at me now I’m struck again by how kind his face is.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I got some on the way," Emerson turns to scan the crowd.

It takes him a few seconds to find who he’s looking for. Then—

“Yo, Sawyer!” Emerson waves. “Over here.”

Sawyer Lawson is the only Snowhawk without a single penalty to his name. I’ve known Sawyer almost as long as I’ve known Skyler. We were freshmen during his senior year, but Captain America was one of Coach Morgan’s all-stars.

He’s also a terrible liar.

“Emerson, I thought we were keeping this quiet,” I hiss, hiding my face in his shoulder as Sawyer jogs over.

“Cap won’t tell a soul.” Emerson drops a kiss onto the top of my head. “Weren’t you the one telling me that I’ve got to trust the team? Well, that’s what I’m doing.”

My heart kicks up into an erratic beat.

“I meant out on the ice, not with our love life,” I groan. “Have you ever seen him bluff at poker? His tells have tells.”

Emerson laughs as Sawyer walks up to us.

“Hey Yas, nice to see you again,” His blue eyes twinkle as he hands a pair of skates over to Emerson. “I promise— I won’t let this slip. I wouldn’t risk the best team doctor I’ve ever had.”

The most annoying thing about Sawyer is that it’s impossible to stay mad at him.

“Thanks, Cap. Alright, doc. Let’s get you laced up,” Emerson guides me to a bench and kneels in front of me before I can work up another reason why this is a bad idea.

The care and concern he takes making sure they fit just right warms my heart.

“How’d you know my size?” I watch Emerson lacing the ice skates with practiced ease.

Sawyer looks between us.

“I asked Skylar. She’s always been the best poker player I know.”

His eyes twinkle with mischief. “Sky was always the best poker player we knew.”

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