The corridor is too bright after the dim hotel room. The ice machine hums somewhere nearby.
I blink rapidly then walk down the corridor, forcing the tears back.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Axel
I collapse onto the bed and its predictable softness. My heart still races. Coach might as well have ordered me to do sprints over the ice.
I have a kid. A son.
And poor Gaby is dead.
God. How could that happen?
Gaby was bright and cheerful and bossy. How could she, of all people, be dead?
No wonder Enzo has looked miserable. The man has been in mourning and solo parenting a grieving child.
Professional athletes might be massively fit, but even they can’t withstand a toddler and his needs.
I sit up. I let Enzo leave.
Shit.
I stumble off the bed, pull on my shoes, and grab my keycard. I scroll through my phone in the corridor, hunting for Enzo’s name. Did I save him under Judas or Wormtail?
When I hear crying, I take a chance and knock on the door.
A pretty blonde woman answers.
“Sorry, I?—”
“Axel Knight!” she exclaims happily.
Shit.
“This is so amazing! Come in.” She turns. “Enzo! You have a visitor! Your teammate who won a hat trick with you last night!”
I hear rustling, then Enzo appears. His hair is wrecked, his eyes red-rimmed and unfocused.
I glance back at the woman.
My stomach churns. Is this someone Enzo is… dating? I didn’t think this was the sort of person Enzo would date, but what do I know? Enzo used to date Sofia in college. And if my teammates at the Blizzards taught me anything, it’s that people can surprise you.
She gazes at him in a starry-eyed manner.
Enzo glances between us and frowns. Is he jealous? I won’t take his girl.
“I, um, wanted to check on you,” I say. “See if you need help with Luca.”
“That’s so sweet!” The strange, bubbly woman claps her hands.
“That’s not necessary,” Enzo says. “Kayla is here.”
