Or itwas… before I thought I could have something with Aulie.
“Why is coach worried I’m getting soft?”
“TMZ may have posted articles about you playing some dude in tights.”
“They’re breeches.” I correct, burying my bottle in my mouth. I wouldn’t blame Coach for being concerned about those pictures without the proper context. “Just tell him not to worry. That whole thing was for charity. I needed to do something after all of Veronica’s videos online.”
“Right, had nothing to do with the fact that Aulie was playing—whoever that was—”
“Lydia.”
He shakes his head and laughs. “According to TMZ, she’s your fiancée too. I didn’t believe that one, but after seeing you look at her tonight, I have to ask is there any truth to it?”
The fire cracks near Aulie, sparks fly spiraling their way to the dark night above.
“Wait, what? How did they get there from me volunteering at a fair?”
“Someone up here was in the hospital’s waiting room when you rushed in and told the nurse that she was your fiancée.”
I groan. Rumors happen, and I rarely let them get to me, but this one doesn’t include just me. Aulie hasn’t had to deal with stuff like this before.
“And then a jeweler in Boston confirmed you picked up an engagement ring a few weeks ago.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “I picked up her grandmother’s ring. Gus had it restored for her birthday.”
“I’m surprised your publicist hasn’t called you about it.”
“I’ve been ignoring her calls.”
“Of course you have. Well, that’s a relief. For a second, I was worried you were ignoring our no dating during the season pact.”
I laugh nervously, avoiding Grady’s eyes. “Yeah. So…”
“Seriously! Un-fucking-believable,” he exclaims, running a hand through his mess of blond curls.
“What?”
“Dude. We’re two games back from a playoff spot. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We need you. And you’re going soft.”
“Relax.” I force my voice into a teasing lilt, hoping to appease Grady’s present concerns. “I’m not going soft, and I get it. I’ll be focused when I return, and we’ll get over the hump. It’s not like the Thanksgiving standings are permanent, anyway.”
“Seventy-five percent of the time, the teams that are in playoff spots at Thanksgiving are the ones who make the playoffs.”
“I know the stat, but we could be part of that twenty-five.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I don’t get you. Everyone wanted me to figure out my shit, and I did. My head’s never been clearer than it is now. Why aren’t you happy about that?”
“As your friend, I’m ecstatic. You’ve been drooling over Aulie for way too long. But as your teammate, I’m worried. Coach said you’ve been missing skate time.”
I sigh. I have been less dedicated since Aulie’s surgery, not wanting to leave her side longer than necessary.
“I needed a break after all the off-season rehab, but I’ll be all in now.”
“Great.” Grady mumbles. “But you should have been all-in this month.”
“Just stay in the guest room tonight and come to morning skate with me tomorrow, asshole. And then you can stop worrying that I’ve gone soft.”
