“Yes! You guys are good now.” She pauses. “Right?”
“Of course. I’m just teasing.” I wink.
“We’ll talk more tomorrow night.”
“I wish we had more time,” I tell her, hugging her again. “But we’re heading straight to the airport.”
“No worries. It was great being able to see you play.” She smiles. “You can come to the house if Coach lets you out.”
“He said something about a curfew,” I mutter, “but he might relent to see my sister. If not, you can come to the hotel.”
“Of course. And don’t worry about J, I’ll take care of her. She had to get back to the hotel and pack so we can talk to Lourdes and then hit the road.”
I chuckle. “Whatever the two of you want to do is fine with me. I’ll see you later. Drive safe. Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too!” She smiles and walks toward the elevators.
“Who’sthat?” Simon asks, coming over to me and staring at Billie with interest.
Hockey players really are horn dogs, and even though I’ve come a long way in therapy, she’s still my kid sister, so I can’t help but scowl.
“Thatis my sister. And she’s taken.”
He laughs. “The hot ones always are.”
I’ve just gotten to the hotel in L.A. when Jayne’s name flashes on the screen of my phone.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hi!” She sounds a little breathless. “Billie and I are almost to L.A.”
“I’m sorry you had to drive so late, but I can’t wait to see you.”
“We’ll be there soon. Let’s just hope no one sees me in the hotel.”
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be in the lobby waiting. If I see anyone, I’ll text you.”
“Okay, good.”
“Was Lourdes mad?”
“Actually, no. She was anxious to get home and didn’t seem to care what my plans are. She’s in a good mood because Lindy won today.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
“Yeah, so she wanted to pack and get ready to fly home tomorrow. Hopefully, my Dad will be just as laid back.”
“You think he’ll be suspicious?”
“I don’t know. But it’s one thing not to want me to date players—I can’t have female friends either?”
“Believe me, I agree, but he was pissed tonight.”
“Are you guys on lockdown?”
“Yeah. Not that it matters—we didn’t get here until nearly two.”
“That’s his favorite way to play mind games with his players.”
