“Do you want to?” Charlotte says delicately.
I bend my legs and wrap my arms around them, resting my cheek on my knees. “Maybe, I think I could do just friends with benefits.”
I can tell Charlotte is holding back, but instead she nods. “You deserve something good, Piper. You work really hard, and it’s not an easy job. Maybe he can relieve your stress.”
“It was really good stress relief.”
Charlotte nods. “He looks like he knows how to fuck.”
I toss a pillow at her, and Katie squeals as she picks up a pillow and tosses it at her mom as well. I can’t help the huge smile that takes over my face as an impromptu pillow fight starts. The weight that was pressing down on me earlier seems to fade away. I don’t have any answers, and I’m still not sure it’s the right choice. Maybe Charlotte’s right. What does it hurt to have a little fun? But the question is: is there a way to just be physical with no emotions attached when it comes to Alexi Bandnin?
CHAPTER8
I’m a starting goalie in the NHL.
I repeat it over and over as I leave the coaches’ office, trying to not have a heart attack or actually show my excitement around everyone else.
Instead, I call the one person who I know will get it.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey, Mom.”
“How are you feeling? Is everything okay? Do you need me to visit?”
“I’m starting. I’m fucking starting tomorrow.”
She squeals over the phone, and I can hear her shouting to my stepdad George. “He’s fucking starting, George!” I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. I know my mom is worried about me, and she might not approve of the lengths I’ve gone to in order to get this position. But her genuine excitement is what I need right now.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I was going to watch anyway, but I’m going to record it. I think Sharon can show me how to do that.”
“Listen, I’ve got to get to practice, but I just wanted to call you.”
“I’m so proud of you, baby. But you better be taking care of yourself.”
“I will, I am.”
“I’m going to send you some new socks. I found ones with strawberries on them.”
“Thanks, Mom, love you.”
“Love you too.”
I’m turning the corner and run into a large, firm chest. “Hello,so´lnyshka.”
“Bandnin,” I reply, trying to walk past him, but he doesn’t let me.
“You’re starting against the Canes?” he says as a question, though depending on how long he’s been standing there, he already knows.
“Yes, I just spoke to Coach.”
“Play like you did last game, and it could be more than just this game,” he says. I’m not sure if he’s trying to be threatening or giving me a pep talk. All I know is that it smells like ginger standing so close to him, and I need to get the hell on the ice.
“I think I’ve got it covered,” I say in a shitty tone, and my captain’s grin just widens.
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun.”
