Page 43 of Seriously Pucked

“I know that.” There’s a pause, and then he asks the question I’ve been dreading, “Is Dani being away a part of any of how things have gone this week?”

I blow out a breath. “That’s a fair question. And I’ve asked myself the same thing. But no. I’m just having an off week. Honestly, I love that girl with everything in me,” I add. “But when I’m on the ice, I’m on the ice. I’ve missed her like crazy, but she’s with Hughes and they’re having fun and that’s great and….” I don’t know exactly how Nathan feels about Michael and Dani being off alone. But I know how I feel. “That actually makes me feel happy and comfortable. She’s with a guy who’s going to take amazingly good care of her and make her happy and they’re going to have fun and I have nothing to worry about. So no, my shit play this week is all about me.”

He just nods. He doesn’t share his own feelings about the Vegas trip but he says, “Everyone has off games. You’ll be back.”

“You sure?”

“You’re Crew Fucking McNeill,” Nathan says. “Of course I’m sure. And,” he adds. “I’ve put my money where my mouth is. You have a fucking huge paycheck to earn.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, my boss is kind of a dick sometimes and he’ll eventually be on my ass if I don’t get my shit together.”

“Damn right.”

Just then, a soft voice says, “I love you both with everything in me, too.”

We both swing toward the door. I’m sitting on the front of the recliner I have in my room, so when my head gets a little dizzy, I don’t worry about falling over.

Nathan is leaning against my dresser. He straightens so quickly, the thing wobbles, and my bobbleheads—yes, of course, there’s a Crew McNeill bobblehead and, of course, I have six of them—start nodding.

“Danielle,” Nathan says, obviously surprised to see her.

Dani’s home.

Thank God.

Wait, why is Dani home?

Those are my first three thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” Nathan asks, striding toward her. He pulls her into his arms for a hug, but says, "You weren’t supposed to be home until tomorrow."

She squeezes him back, but peeks around him to look at me. "Crew got hurt. Of course I came home early."

My girl is home. "I am really, really hurt, Dani girl. Come make me feel better."

She laughs and goes up on tiptoe to kiss Nathan, before extracting herself from his arms. She looks up at him. “You okay?”

He shakes himself. "Of course. I'm thrilled to see you. Just surprised."

She takes my outstretched hand and I tug her into my lap. I immediately wrap my arms around her and nuzzle my face into her neck, breathing her in. Her arms go around my neck too and she presses close, her lips against my temple.

"Watch it," Nathan says. "He really is hurt. You have to take it easy."

Dani pulls back and looks into my eyes. "Tell me how you are. Seriously."

“I’m okay. And even better now.”

She glances at Nathan. "Of course I'll take it easy on him. I'm not going to do anything to hurt him. But you can't expect me to stay away."

I give her hip a little squeeze. "I have a mild concussion and a muscle strain. As much as I hate to say it, I’m not up for being your usual hotshot."

She leans in and gives me a gentle kiss. "I don't need you to be anything specific. Except healthy. I definitely need you to be healthy."

I see tears well up in her eyes and I immediately lift my hand to cup her cheek. "Gonna live through it. It's happened before. And I'm so glad you're here, but I hate that you cut your trip short."

"Don't be silly. I had to be here."

"Bet Michael's pissed at me."

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