I snort and walk over to my stall, focusing. I don’t have time to fuck around.
I’m late.
But that’s not unusual—or not unusual for me since Anna died.
Trying to balance the crippling pain of losing her with being a good dad for a little girl who’s lost her mom, whose own grief needs to take precedence over mine. Then combining that with a job that makes it difficult to be present and available, even when both parents are alive and well…
Yeah, it’s been a challenge.
Biting back a sigh, I drop onto the bench, start getting undressed.
It’s the preseason.
Which means the energy is high and the nerves are low.
For now.
Soon enough the regular season will be underway, and the pressure will begin to mount, and the playoffs will loom, and?—
Shit will getreal.
“You see Storm in his first game with the Hawks?” Cam asks.
“Yeah.” West winces. “He looked a little rough.”
I can’t help but agree. “He didn’t look like the player he was from a few seasons ago.”
King nods. “Probably why the Sierra traded him.”
“Yeah,” Huddy says. “I guess.”
“Still, trading away one of your best players?” King shakes his head. “Seems hard to believe.”
“Depends,” Cam says. “Word is he needed a fresh start.”
“I skated with a couple of Hawks guys over the summer,” I say.
Rome’s brows lift in question.
“Storm’s a good player,” I tell them. “Solid skills all around and a hard worker.”
King nods slowly. “Yeah, I’ve heard that. What about the other guys?”
“Ace is an asshole,” I mutter, thinking of the cocky playboy who needs to be knocked down a few pegs. He’s talented but I’d wanted to throttle him more than once.
Cam laughs, and he’s not alone.
“And Shep?” Rome asks, his eyes full of humor.
I snort, thinking of the gaggle of women in the stands who were watching us practice. “Shep gets far too much pussy for his own good.”
More laughter before the topic turns to other things.
“Will my Chloe be watching us today?” King asks as I fold my pants and tuck them away.
“No.” I yank up my jock, pull on my socks. “She’s with the nanny.”
A blip of quiet.
