“Ha, ha.” As everyone laughs, Arch just shakes his head at us. “You assholes are just jealous.”
With my towel still wrapped around my waist, I reach into my locker for my clothes. As I pull on my dress shirt, I snort. “Seriously, Arch, you need a reality check.”
But he points at me. “What’s going on with you? You’re in a shitty mood for someone who scored the winning goal.”
I button up my shirt, not looking at him. “I’m fine.”
“Was it Ed?” he says in a low tone. “That guy’s always been a prick.”
“He kept the damn microphone in your face forever,” Tex agrees. “I would have wanted to pop him one.”
“And get suspended,” I say dryly. “I’ll pass on striking a journalist. Even if he practically asks for it sometimes.”
“So he got you going?” Arch asks me.
I shake my head. “He was an ass, but no. I’m just in a bit of a funk tonight. I’ll snap out of it.” I don’t tell them what I’m truly pissed off about—that if I want to be an owner like I’ve dreamed of doing once I hang up my skates, I need to find myself a wife.
“We’re all heading to Lucky Cowboy for a drink before Arch bails,” Tex says to me. “Join us. Jared and Max could use a night out.”
Jared and Max just ID’d their father’s murderer down in New Orleans. Between them and their two brothers, Hunter and Liam, who play hockey for the New Orleans Fire, the Storm brothers have been through hell. I run my hand down my face and exhale.
Nothing like my friends’ real problems to bring me back down to earth and make me realize I need to fucking quit complaining about a damn marriage requirement.
Plus, I could use a few hours of downtime. “Okay.”
* * *
Mia
I take the elevator down to the corporate parking garage. I use a pin to secure my skirt before I hop on my motorcycle and reach for my helmet. Being that it’s still March in Montana, I probably should be driving my car, but nothing makes me feel free like riding my bike does. And I need to feel free right now.
My phone rings before I’ve put on my helmet.
“Hey, JB!” I say. “Are you already at Mulligan’s?”
“Actually, I’m not at Mulligan’s,” Jamie Beth says over music in the background that’s so loud I can barely hear her.
“Well, where are you?”
“You know Lucky Cowboy? It’s that new place by the arena. My coworkers dragged me here. The place is kind of cool!”
I laugh. “I’ve never been there, but I know where it is. I’ll see you shortly. I have to make a quick stop first.”
* * *
I hit all green lights as I make the trip across Missoula to the hockey arena and the man I pray can help me.
It’s a quiet, dark night with a full moon, and I breathe in the cool air. When I reach the arena, I peel into the employee parking lot, park my bike in the guest spot my uncle told me would be open, and hurry inside to meet Uncle Ned.
“Mia.” With his blue eyes and short stature, my mom’s brother looks so much like her. “The game just ended—you have perfect timing, my dear. Come into this room here so we’ll have privacy. I would have invited you to my office, but this was easier since I was already at the arena.”
We step inside a bare, white-walled room filled with nothing but a couple of metal chairs and an old wooden desk. Uncle Ned takes one chair, and I sit in the other.
“I’ve got a huge problem,” I begin.
“So you texted.” He steeples his fingers together. “Tell me what it is so I can help you solve it.”
This is why I love him so much. My uncle is always on my side, no questions asked.
