“It was,” I agreed. “But it’s not the same as a date.”
Rhett made a pained noise. “Here’s the thing. I don’t like dating during the hockey season. We’re busy enough with practice, games, and road trips. Not to mention all the other obligations we have. Publicity appearances and charity work.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “I’m happy to hook up. But I’m still going out with Cole tomorrow night.”
“Fine,” he said. “But the next time wedohook up? I’m going to make sure you never forget it.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” I said. “Goodnight, Rhett.”
“Night, June.”
I sighed happily. Between Elias finally opening up to me and asking for help, and Rhett telling me how much he wanted me, my evening had turned out pretty good.
And I couldn’t wait for my date with Cole.
17
June
The next day was a busy one.
First, I took my car to the dealership to complain about the spark plug crapping out on me. Three mechanics examined the car, and eventually said that nothing could explain what had happened. “Maybe an animal got under the hood and damaged it?” the head mechanic eventually said. “These things have good protection. It’s almost like someone who knows what they’re doing broke in and damaged it.”
The car was under warranty though, so they reimbursed me for the replacement that Cole’s mechanic bought and then gave me a $500 credit for any future work I needed done on the car. But it left a bad taste in my mouth. What was the point of buying a brand new car if it still randomly broke down on you?
Then we had a Reapers staff meeting at the arena. And since I was the head physical trainer, my presence was required. The other coaches spent most of the three-hour meeting discussing strategy and tactics, which I didn’t care about at all. The only relevant part to me came at the end of the meeting, when I gave an update on the rehab progress of the players on the Injured Reserve list.
After that, it was time for the team’s regular practice. Drills, workouts, and rehab. I was exhausted by the time I drove home.
But I was happy that I was busy, because it kept my mind off my date with Cole! I would have been a nervous wreck if I was sitting at home thinking about it all day. As things were, I had just enough time to run home after practice, shower, and do my hair.
Cole texted me while I was getting ready and said he was stuck at the arena doing marketing stuff with the team’s social media manager. So rather than picking me up for the date, I drove to meet him at the restaurant. It was a swanky place in the Vine City neighborhood, with brick walls and lots of plants around the windows. Nice, but nottoonice. Exactly the kind of vibe I was hoping for.
I got a table and ordered a drink, and Cole came walking in before it arrived.
“Sorry about that. Marketing stuff.”
“I get it,” I replied, showing him my phone. “I’ve already seen the video on Instagram.”
He groaned when he saw his face on the screen. “They post them quick, don’t they. Sometimes I miss playing in college. Back then, all I had to do was play hockey without all the extra stuff.”
“Poor Cole Thibault, captain of the Reapers and the face of the franchise,” I teased.
He smirked at me. “Yeah, it probably sounds shitty for a millionaire athlete to complain about his job, eh?”
I quickly shook my head. “I was just giving you a hard time. I get it. You guys have to deal with a lot during the season. A lot more than I knew about before I started working for the team.”
I reached across the table and touched his hand. He glanced down at my hand, and gave me a curious look. Fortunately, the moment was interrupted by the waitress arriving to take his drink order.
“I’m just sad I missed a chance to see the awesome car you were bragging about,” I said.
He chuckled. “I forgot about that. Any more issues since the spark plug died?”
“Nope. Knock on wood.” I rapped my knuckles on the table. “It’s still weird that it happened to both of our cars at the same time.”
“It has to be some sort of manufacturer’s defect,” he said, running a hand through his dirty-blond hair. “Although I think that Bronco has been bad luck since I got it. I had two flat tires during the off-season.”
“Better ask them foranotherfree car,” I joked. “What I’m trying to say is that dinner is onyoutonight.”
