Me
This is for research purposes only. When I get the answer I need, I’m blocking all of your numbers so I can’t be added to anything else.
Miller
I knew he liked us off the ice. One day apart, and he can’t bear the thought of us not being around.
Hayes
Hey, Coach. I know Lucy just started lessons, so I’ll check with Madeline and see who she’s with. Is this for a beginner? A rookie you’re trying to book some more time on the ice for?
Me
It’s for my daughter, who is very talented and has dreams of making the Olympics. Her coach is taking a leave of absence, and she’s panicking.
Richardson
Dude. G-Money. Your sister is a figure skater. Does she coach kids?
I stare at Ethan’s message and promptly throw my phone into the pillows. It buzzes twice, answering a question I want nothing to do with, and I’m about to change my goddamn number.
Reaching out to Hannah Everett isnotpart of the plan.
The last time I saw her, I was six seconds away from fucking her before I stormed out of her apartment and never looked back.
I’ve purposely avoided every team gathering where she might be in attendance.
Friends and Family night at the rink where everyone’s parents, significant others, kids, and partners joined for food and fun? I said I was sick.
The party the guys put together to celebrate Riley’s one-year anniversary of surviving his accident? I didn’t have to pretend I had food poisoning when I overheard Grant mention she wouldn’t be there.
It’s better this way. There aren’t complicated feelings or getting involved with someone who has a life completely opposite from mine.
If she evenwantedto be involved with me after the way I left that night.
There’s no way in hell she would.
I wake up. I coach hockey. I review game footage and make lineup changes. Eat a meal or two and hang out with my kid. After all of that, I go to sleep, and I donotfucking think about the blonde-haired, long-legged woman with a ribbon in her hair who seems to haunt me.
Yeah fucking right.
My phone vibrates again, and I know it’s not going to stop anytime soon. I reach over, scowling at the messages that have come in.
Everett
Oh, yeah. Hannah skates, and she’s damn good.
She told me she’s been going through some things lately. I bet she wouldn’t mind the extra cash. I’ll text her.
I reread Grant’s message and want to scream.
What the hell is she going through? Is she okay? Is she safe?
More importantly, why the fuck do I care?
Richardson
Tell her I think she’s hot and I’ll make her feel better.
