“Well, she’s got the best skating coach. I’m sure she’ll ace the audition.”
“Thanks.” I hesitate for a second. “Um, there’s also something I need to ask you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“Next Thursday. We've got that game against Southern Collegiate.”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“I’ve just found out it overlaps with her callback audition. It’s the final one before they make their decisions.”
Coach is quiet for a long moment, studying me. “You want to miss the game?”
“I know it's a lot to ask—”
“Eh. Southern Collegiate couldn't score on us if we put Connor in goal and had the rest of the team playing with their eyes closed.” He gives me a long look. “You've earned it. You've played every game this season, you're leading the team in points, and you've never asked for special treatment. You can go.”
Relief floods through me. “Really?”
“Really, but Hendricks?” His expression turns serious. “Don't make me regret this. If she becomes adistraction—”
“She won't be. I promise. Even if we get the gig, it’s during our break. I won’t let it affect any other hockey events.”
“Good. Now get out of here and tell Laura I said good luck.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
I skate toward the locker room, my mind already racing ahead to the audition, to my plan, to making sure Laura gets everything she deserves.
The locker room is mostly empty by the time I get there, with Erik tying his shoelaces.
I sit down beside him, pulling off my helmet. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” He glances at me. “You look happy. Coach give you good news?”
“Yeah. He's letting me skip the Southern Collegiate game for Laura's audition.”
“Good.” Erik grins. “She's going to kill it.”
“She will if my plan works,” I mutter and take a deep breath before I ask the question I’ve been avoiding for the last couple of weeks. “Do you like dressing up?”
Erik stops tying his shoe so he can look at me. His eyebrows shoot up, and a slow, wicked grin spreads across his face. “Hendricks, are you asking me to participate in some kind of kinky role-play scenario? Because the answer is yes. Always. Anytime. Anyplace.”
I shove his shoulder. “Not like that, you pervert.”
“Then what kind of dressing up are we talking about?”
“The kind that involves ice skating and a lot of people watching.”
His grin widens. “People watching and ice skating? I mean… I’m game.”
“Erik—”
“I'm kidding. Mostly.” He leans back, studying me. “But seriously, what do you need?”
I pull out my phone and show him a picture. “Think you can pull this off?”
Erik stares at the screen, his eyes widening before that trademark grin spreads across his face. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”
