PIPER
“Piper, would you mind getting the ice baths ready? A few guys are coming in after practice.”
“Sure thing, Claire.”
It’s not the most glamorous job, but I don’t mind. It’s all part of what I need to do in order to get my degree.
Will I work in hockey in the future? I don’t know. I’d love to do something with sports because that’s what I’ve grown up around, but who knows?
I haul buckets of ice into the cold, metal tubs so they’ll be ready for the guys.
Nick is the first one in.
“Hey. How was practice?”
“Good.” He nods, chugging from his water bottle. “Feels good to be back between the pipes.”
“I don’t envy you at all.”
“What, you don’t want to take a puck flying at you at ninety miles per hour?”
I wince. “There’s no way I could. I’d get scared and duck.”
Nick laughs, a quiet sound because he hates being thecenter of attention. “It’s a good thing you aren’t playing for us then.”
Sliding into the tub, Nick lets out a loud gasp.
“How ya’ feeling?”
“I’ll be better when I’m out.”
“You know it helps,” I chastise him.
“Doesn’t mean I don’t hate it.”
“Put your big-boy pants on,” I tell him as I laugh and get the next one ready.
Duncan and another teammate walk in. This is why I shouldn’t date players. Because I have to see them when we break up.
I focus my attention on the various equipment around the room. No sense in getting worked up because of Duncan.
“You good?” Nick asks.
I smile at him. One I don’t really feel. “I’m good.”
I hate that Duncan still has this pull over me. Not that I still have feelings for him, but God, what a dick.
“Ava is crazy in bed.” Duncan has a smug look on his face as he gets into the tub. “Gives any guy a zamboner.”
I spin away, organizing a stack of towels so I don’t have to see him. God, what a tool.
Not that I care that they’re still seeing each other. Those two deserve each other.
“I thought you weren’t seeing her anymore?” someone asks Duncan. I don’t know who.
“And give up that kind of sex? Hell no.”
“Man, you get all the ladies. I don’t know how you do it.”
