She slowly spun on her heel to face him. “Not set up. Interesting. Considering you were so desperate to get a power strip, you interrupted my session with Jordan.”
A muscle in Brett’s jaw flexed. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“And there it is.”
Brett held out his hands. “You asked if I could be around while you saw patients! How—”
“So that I could call if I needed to!”
“Well, if Wheatfill had you pinned to the ground, how exactly were you going to call?”
Penny pursed her lips. “You thought Jordan was going to walk into that garage and immediately force himself on me? After meeting me one time?”
Brett shrugged and ran his hands through his hair. Penny’s eyes wandered to his tattoo before she caught herself. “I was checking. That’s it.”
“Did you think I was ruining your organization in there or something?”
The furrow in Brett’s brow grew deeper. “Is it so hard to believe that someone—in this instance, me—would be concerned about your welfare?” He stood and limped to the counter. “I trust you, Penny. I don’t trust that snake.”
Penny wet her lips. “Why didn't you tell me Jordan was the captain of Pucks Deep?”
“I knew these sessions were important to you. I didn't want to put a bad taste in your mouth.”
“You thought you’d just do it after?”
He flashed her a look. “I’m not the one who brought it up.”Fair.He hadn’t said anything about Jordan until she jumped down his throat for walking into the garage. “My opinion of Jordan has always been heavily swayed by Sean's opinion and my experience with him on the ice. He’s an asshat.”
“And how does one garner such a prestigious title?”
Brett leaned against the counter. “I don't know all the details, but Jordan slept with Sean's girlfriend years ago.”
“That seems fairly detailed. How long is ‘years ago?’”
He shrugged. “Twenty-ten?”
Penny rolled her eyes. “So Sean still hates the guy because thirteen years ago he stepped on his toes?”
“That's a little more than stepping on someone's toes. If you want to bedetailedabout it.”
Penny folded her arms over her chest. “We were all idiots when we were twenty.”
Brett mirrored her body language. “He’s still a dick on the ice, and so are his teammates. Can’t blame that on being young and stupid.”
“And every Snowballs’ player is chipper and considerate out there with the opposing team?”
“We’re not likethat.”
Penny walked over and filled a glass with water, then took a drink. “Well, that's impressive.” She took another gulp, then poured the rest of the water down the sink and set her cup on the counter before heading to the door.
“I guess you'll have to reserve judgment until you come to one of our games.”
Penny hesitated. “Your season doesn't start until November.”
“We have a few exhibition games at the end of October.”
She twisted and pulled on the door handle. “I doubt I’ll still be around by then.” Brett didn’t say anything as she stepped out onto the landing. She turned and poked her head back inside. “Thank you for checking in, but maybe don’t do it again?”
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