“You don’t want to make small talk with people in front of dozens of cameras? I’mshocked.” She hops in the passenger seat of my SUV, and I turn on the heat to make sure she’s warm. “Do you want to stay in DC?”
“Pending getting fired? Yeah. I moved Liv around so much when she was younger because I only spent a season or two with a team before I got a better offer and headed to the next city. That meant Kali moved too. We’ve been here for years now, and uprooting them at this point feels cruel. They have friends and routines, and I like the Stars’ management. I like the culture and the team we’ve put together. I like the fans. I’m happy here.” I pull out of the parking garage and head for the bar I scouted out for tonight. “Speaking of Liv and being happy in DC, I see she gave you a friendship bracelet.”
“She did!” Hannah holds her wrist, proud of the pink and white beads. “It’s my good luck charm for my competition in eleven days.”
“Her bracelets are magic.” I show off my matching one. “I haven’t taken mine off from the Stanley Cup two years ago.”
“That makes me so happy.” She relaxes in the seat and turns her body my way. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.”
“Do you do a lot of dating?”
“Nope.” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. “Privacy has a big thing to do with it. I’m protective of Liv. Of people having access to my players. And, like you saw tonight, I’m exhausted. I’m pulled eighteen different directions, and with the limited free time I do have, I don’t want to spend it making small talk with someone I’m not interested in.” I glance over at her. She’s smiling at me as we pass streetlights, and it makes me smile too. “There are some exceptions, of course.”
“Of course.” She taps my hand resting on the center console. “And aren’t they lucky?”
We talk the rest of the way to the bar and order a round of drinks. After a story from Hannah that involves a first date with a woman and a wedding ring, I’m laughing so hard she has to hit my back so I don’t choke.
“You kicked my ass in bowling, but how do you think you’ll fare with air hockey?” I take her hand and lead her through the crowded room. “That’s your side there.”
“Am I allowed to flash you? I think it’s the only way I’m going to win. You’re very good at hockey.”
“Come on, sweetheart. Air hockey and hockey aren’t the same thing.” I set the puck in front of my striker and wait for Hannah to grab hers. She crouches low, moving side to side, andmy fucking god. She’s the cutest person I’ve ever seen. “Ready?”
“Come on, Daddy.” Her grin is sharp. “Give me your best shot.”
It’s a goddamn miracle I’m able to bring my wrist back and hit the puck as hard as I can, and when I do, it sails past her hand and goes into the goal. “Oh, Hannah. You need to at least try to stop it.”
“Bullshit! You can’t be out here acting like you’re qualifying for the Olympic team. Bring it down three notches, Saunders, or you’ll be playing by yourself.”
“I play by myself a lot,” I answer with a grin. She huffs under the breath, and I motion for the puck. “Funny how it’s Daddy when you want to get your way, but not when you lose.”
“Funny how you pretend like you don’t like it when I call you Daddy, but your forearm is flexing,” she tosses back. “And you just looked at my tits.”
I grind my teeth to stop myself from bending her over the table because, no, I don’t hate it when she calls me that, and I wish I could fucking explain why. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say. “Let me try again.”
This time, I go comically slow. I exaggerate pulling my arm back. I hit the puck gently, watching it inch across the table. When it gets close to her, Hannah knocks it as hard as she can. It lifts off the table, into the air, and spins before knocking me in the forehead.
“Oh my god.” She gapes at me. “Are you okay?”
“Dirty, dirty play, Everett.” I shake my head, but there’s no way I can fight off my smile. “It’s time for payback.”
“If you hurt me, I’m going to kick your ass next time we’re on the ice.”
“Last time we raced, you blatantly interfered with my victory.” I line the puck up with her goal. “And I hope you know I would never hurt you.”
“I do know that.” Her face softens. “I call for a redo.”
The next play has Hannah flailing, trying to stop my goal, but she looks so ridiculous, I fuckinggiggle. I put my hands on the table, keeling over, and when her striker goes flying off the table, I completely lose it.
I’ve always strived to be the hardest worker in any room. I’ve sacrificed so much to get to where I am today. I missed out on birthdays and parties and big life moments. There’s been no dating, no excitement, nofun.
Boundaries in place. Clear expectations of everyone in my life, including myself. But as I lift my chin and look at Hannah leaning over the hockey table, her blue eyes sparkling with glee, it hits me that every good moment I’ve had over the last five months… every moment that’s pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to live a little… has included her.
The winning is great. Watching good hockey is a blast. But for the first time in my life, I want a partner to share all of that with.
And I want it to be her.
