“What else?” Alex asks, clearly not really wanting to know.
“There are actually a few other things,” Quinn says, her voice hesitant now.
“It’s not Quinn’s decision,” Lawson says, frowning at Alex. “If you don’t like it, talk to your sister or Nora.”
I appreciate Lawson defending Quinn, but not so much blaming me.
Even though it’s my fault.
And I think Alex is very aware of that.
I can’t see Alex’s full expression, but I can imagine it’s dark and scary.
“There’sa lotof shit you’re not going to like,” Lawson says.
“Tell me some of it,” Alex says.
“Fans get input on who does the face-off. They can decide if they think the refs got a call wrong. They can change the rules in the last third of?—”
“The rules are going to changeduring the game?” Alex asks.
Based on the way Quinn’s eyes widen, Alex must be shooting daggers. I need to step in. Not as his fake girlfriend, but as the ambassador for the new hockey style. This is not Quinn’s fault. I know, for a fact, my friend would rather play straightforward hockey as well.
“Hi, everybody.”
They all turn toward me, and there are multiple looks of relief. Quinn immediately spins on her stool and slides to the floor. “Oh, hi. Now that you’re here to handle this, I’ve gotta go.”
I grin at her and lean over to give her a quick hug.
Quinn doesn’t initiate hugging, but she always accepts it from her girlfriends. “Thanks for helping welcome Alex.”
She glances at him. “We’re glad he’s here.”
I meet Alex’s gaze over her shoulder. He’s watching me intently. “I am too.”
Lawson also climbs off his stool. “I’m out of here, too, boss. You’ve got this.” It’s not a question. He’s turning Alex over to me.
I’m okay with that.
We have some fake dating to kick off, after all.
I nod. “Sure. I can finish filling Alex in.” I look at Wes. “Unless you want to stay?”
He shakes his head quickly, as does Josh.
Josh gives me a wink. “I can’t wait to get home and hear how excited Ruth is that Alex is in town.”
Alex looks at him. “Wait, you’re Ruth’s dad?”
“Her mom is my girlfriend. Hoping to be stepdad eventually,” Josh says.
My chest warms as I take in Josh’s smile. His whole face changes when he talks about Thea and Ruth.
I glance at Alex and note that he looks sheepish now. “So you’re probably not my biggest fan. Thanks for being so good at practice and with this whole thing,” he says, circling his finger to indicate the binder and the conversation that happened at the table.
Josh nods. “I wasn’t. Ruth was definitely disappointed. But I don’t think it’s all bad for her to see someone she admires go through a tough time and then come out on the other side a little humbled and be willing and able to make an apology.”
Alex looks surprised. “I did. I met Ruth earlier. She seems great.”
