Steve stammered some stupid excuse she wasn’t buying.
“That sounds perfect. You can do your laundry at our place while you help out. I’ll even feed you two snacks.” Mona looked around. “Now where did Will go?”
Jeff, Damon noticed, had disappeared as well. Clever guys.
Jeff’s parents waved their goodbyes while Marlie tried to subtly steer Damon away from her family.
Her father stopped them. “Speaking of dinner, Damon, would you like to come by this week? I know Marlie’s got a few games, but how does Thursday sound?”
“Perfect,” he said over Marlie’s attempt at telling her father not to be pushy.
“Wonderful. Is there anything you don’t like to eat?”
“Is that a trick question?”
Her dad laughed. “See you at six on Thursday, then. Mona, let’s go.” He grabbed his wife’s hand, and the pair left with her brothers promising to follow after they grabbed their things from the locker room.
Damon let Marlie lead him away from the lobby and outside to the parking lot.
“I’m over there.” She pointed to her car, and they walked toward it. “Congrats on your win. I especially loved the way you called the opposing coach a punk ass bitch for complaining over an offsides call.”
“I was trying to be polite. There were kids watching.”
She laughed and linked her arm in his as they neared her vehicle. “That wasn’t your first time coaching, was it?”
“No. I sometimes help at practice with our defense because as goalie, I can see a lot more of the ice. And you know, I’ve been around a long time. I’m not the oldest guy on our team, but I’m up there.”
“At the grand old age of what, thirty-four?”
“Thirty-one, thanks. I’m in the prime of my career actually.” He glanced down at his knee, aware he needed to be more aggressive with his recovery.
She looked at his knee too. “First major injury?”
“Yeah.”
“Not bad for a pro hockey guy.” She paused when they reached her car. “This must be weird. You’re used to first-class hotels and people treating you like a king. Here, you’re just you.”
“You know, I feel like I should be insulted by that, and I don’t know why.”
She grinned, her eyes shining, and he thought he could stand in this parking lot all day long and just stare into those eyes.
Being with her felt perfect. He easily imagined their future Sundays, leaving the kids behind at practice while they went home to make love before they had to pick up their twins. A boy and girl they’d name?—
“What’s going on in that empty head of yours?” she asked. “And where did Jeff go?”
“He escaped with your brother. Will was the only one not corralled by your mom to take down boxes from the attic.”
“Will’s got a talent for getting out of stuff.” She huffed. “And Jeff is on my list too. He still won’t tell me who his new man is. He’s finally in love, but he’s scared of losing it.” She blinked at Damon and flushed. “Sorry. Pretend I didn’t tell you that.”
“No, no. You told me Jeff’s secrets.” He was thrilled. “That means you trust me.”
“I barely know you.”
“Yeah? Let’s rectify that.” He paused. “Oh, sorry. Rectify means?—”
“I know what it means,” she snapped at him then poked him in the chest. “Just because you’re clever and have an Olympic-gold tongue does not mean you can lecture me on words, buddy. I teach English.”
“Have I ever told you sexy teacher fantasies ruled my high school years? Do you have a short skirt and thick glasses you could wear? Maybe with a bun and high heels?”
