Tyler chimed in, “Oh, don’t worry, Suraj—Sean’s just waiting for you to throw one of those soft checks. You’re basically a free pass for him to spend more time in the box.”
Ryan snorted. “Sean loves time in the box.”
Sean motioned for them to line up on the blue. “The only box I’m spending time in these days is Kelty’s.”
André groaned. “You set him up so hard for that!”
Ryan threw out his hands, laughing.
“I’m telling Kelty.” Brett sent a spray of ice over Sean’s skates. “Keep you humble.”
Sean grinned. “Suicides. Go.”
_____
Ryan unhooked his helmet, sweat dripping down his face. For the entirety of practice, he didn’t think once about Kara, the manila envelope on his kitchen counter, or the fact that he’d just agreed to take a week-long trip with his nanny.Shit, that sounded so dirty. He prayed his team didn’t get a hint of it, or he was going to be the brunt of every joke from now until playoffs.
“I think the left boards appreciated that Valentine you dropped during puck protection.” Boyd peeled off his goalie pads.
“Yeah, Boyd, I’ll make sure to include your save percentage in the love letter. Gonna need a few more “O’s to go between the X’s.” Ryan grinned and dropped his helmet on the bench.
“Of all people, you’re the one who needs more O’s.” Brett smirked as he dropped his hockey bag next to him.
Ryan shook his head. One practice a week wasn’t enough.Cutting edges and jawing like they were back in high school made the weight on his chest shift for the first time in days.
Across the room, Gary wrestled with his skate laces, muttering curses under his breath. Country sauntered over and slapped Gary on the back. “Need some help there, bud? Or you just practicing tying your boots for the rodeo?”
Gary grunted. “Just tryin’ not to snap a lace, unlike last week. You’d think these damn things would hold up longer than your mother did last night.”
André laughed out loud.
Ryan pulled off his sweat-soaked jersey, the post-practice endorphins still buzzing through his body. His muscles ached in that satisfying way that came from a hard skate.
Boyd strode past wearing only a towel. "Sean, you need to find meditation or something. You were laying people out like it was half-price handie day."
Sean flipped him off with a grin.
Ryan stepped out of his pants and headed for the showers, the steam already filling the room. He let the hot spray pound against his shoulders, easing some of the tension.
"Sheesh, enough with the body wash," André quipped as he sauntered in, all lean muscle and cockiness. "I need to smell good for the ladies later."
"What ladies would want your French ass?" Gary shot back with a grin.
André turned and slapped his bare cheek.
Ryan chuckled as he rinsed off, then grabbed his towel and walked back to the bench to get dressed.
"How long are you going to let that grow?" Country tugged a clean flannel over his shoulders.
Ryan shrugged. “When Amaya doesn’t braid it anymore.”
Country winked. "Keep your best girl happy."
“Ryan," Sean called out from behind the lockers. "How’s the camp going?"
Ryan sighed. "Bud, those kids have way too much energy. I'm exhausted."
"You're getting old," Boyd teased, his mullet plastered to his neck. "Can't keep up with the young bucks anymore."
