Page 33 of Offside

“It is,” I agree softly. He doesn’t ask me any questions about my scar except if it’s too painful in areas and whether he should avoid those spots.

He continues to manipulate the connective tissue and ligaments as I finally begin to let go and relax.

“Everyone notices just how hard you work, Karis. You have a reputation of being—”

“An ice queen. Yes, I’ve heard.”

Kip’s hands leave my body momentarily and I hear the sound of a bottle being pumped. His warm palms, now slick again with lotion, return to my back and continue to knead the sore muscles along my spine.

“A workaholic is what I was going to say. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy to step into Marvin’s shoes. But in just the few months you’ve been here, you’ve done a lot of great things. Honestly, it’s rather nice to have a woman’s leadership woven through the organization,” he offers, his compliment hitting me straight in the feelers.

Tears suddenly well up in my eyes, working to spring free. I swallow down the emotions swirling inside me, knowing it’s just a physical byproduct of the release the massage provides.

“Thank you, Kip. That’s really nice of you to say.”

Kip has me flip over onto my back facing up, kindly turning away as I maneuver myself under the sheet. I stretch my legs out in front of me and settle on my back. He adjusts the pillow under my neck and leans down to whisper in my ear.

“And excuse me for saying so but fuck anyone who labels you or calls you names that aren’t accurate. They’re just jealous old men.”

I snort with laughter. “Yeah, well. I guess working hard and doing what’s expected of me naturally equates to being a badass bitch in some people’s eyes.”

“That’s right. But you’reourbadass bitch and don’t you forget it.”

Kip continues to work on me for a few more minutes as I consider where things are at with the team and our potential success in the year ahead.

Considering that Kip works closely with the crew inside these locker room walls, I ask him about the game tonight.

“What are your thoughts on the team’s chances tonight against Toronto?”

This apparently opens the floodgates for Kip, who is quick to give me his unfiltered opinion.

“I think we look like an experienced team with some really strong players. From what I saw during training camp this week, they’ve gelled well together,” he offers, fingers digging into my neck and sending me to heaven. “All the lines look ready to go.”

Then his tone quiets as concern threads through his voice. “But I will admit, I’m a little worried about the Sergei and Ballas matchup tonight.”

My limber muscles suddenly cramp and stiffen at the remark and the mention of Ballas’s name. I prod him on for more information. I’ve heard Sergei Russo mentioned in passing and on the sports broadcasts as being a tough player, but I’m not familiar with any inside information.

“What do you mean?” Ballas is a strong player and whoever this Russo is, he must have played against him in the past.

Kip moves down my body, removing the sheet from each leg as he begins working on my thighs and calves. I let out a groan. I can’t imagine how the players work through their pain.

“No one knows what’s behind the feud, but it goes back a long time. Sergei is known for his hard-hitting tactics on good days, but he always seems out for Ballas’s blood, like it’s personal.”

“Hmm.” I contemplate this backstory and wonder what the beef could be about. I don’t know Sergei except that he was on the trade reports this summer. No one has ever mentioned anything to me. “Well, I’m sure The Beast can handle his own against a player like that.”

I say this to protect myself, to force myself not to care about Ballas’s on-ice conflict with another player.

There’s already a shit ton of things on my plate right now and my emotional bucket is overflowing. I don’t have room to worry about Ballas. He’s a big boy, he can handle himself.

Ballas Keeney is already occupying more than enough space in my head. I don’t need to give him any more real estate.

15

Ballas

There’s probably a million and one reasons Russo hates me.

Maybe it’s because I’m a seven-time NHL All-Star and he’s not. Or that I’ve won the Norris trophy in my fifth year and he’s never come close. Or because I’ve won the Stanley Cup in my career and he’s never been on a winning team.

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