I clap his back and try to keep the smile on my face fromseeming awkward. He squeezes my shoulder when the hug breaks. “How you been? I know the situation in Brooklyn was rough. I’m glad you landed on your feet here.”
“Yeah. I mean, I feel like this could be a great fit,” I tell him honestly. “But it hasn’t been as smooth as I hoped. This change. We all needed it.”
Alex nods. “I treat my team like I treat my kids. I have high expectations, but I’m fair.”
I nod. “Well you raised an amazing kid with Mac so I have even more hope for the Riptide now.”
Alex beams like a lighthouse in a storm. “She’s incredible, my Mac. I’m glad you two have rekindled your friendship. She’s moving to Portland, as I’m sure you know, when she graduates and I like the idea that she already has friends. And of course me. She needs more than work in her life, you know?”
"Yeah." He doesn't know? Like, at all? He thinks we're friends? Why do these revelations feel like gut punches to my ego? Maybe Mac doesn't share everything with her family like I kind of have to. Maybe her relatives aren't so overbearing. But I mean, you'd think it would come up.
He's staring at me. His smile is still there but it's tighter. Less friendly, which I've never seen from Alex who is renowned throughout the league when he played with my dad and uncles to be an easy-going joker off the ice. On the ice, he was a tough-as-nails enforcer. He never met a punch he couldn't take.
"You wanna hear something crazy? When I signed my contract just a few hours ago, Chris asked me if it was going to be awkward coaching my daughter's boyfriend." Alex laughs like that statement is a joke. His hand hits my shoulder again, but his grip is tighter. Not aggressive but definitely not casual. "I told him that was insanity because Mac just went through a really bad breakup and she wouldn't throw herself into something else right now when she's got so much pressure on herselfto finish school. Also, she knows not to date a hockey player. I mean, come on…"
“Beckett wasn’t a hockey player and he hurt her. Badly.” I really should just shut up. “And I mean, every hockey player I grew up with is a happily married man so they aren’t all heartbreakers and home wreckers.”
Alex lifts his eyebrow, one that is scared from stitches, and gives him alley-cat vibes. I open my mouth to say something but what? If she didn't tell him about me, I have to think it was for a reason.
“Mr. Larue!” Pennie calls out and he turns. “Can we get a picture of you with the Captain, please?”
“Sure thing. And please call me Alex.” He lets go of my shoulder and walks away.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I start fiddling with my phone the whole time but it's no use. I can't access anything or do anything because of the damage to the screen. So that tops my to-do list. And then, I need to talk to Mac.
Everyone is starting to file out of the room. But Pennie blocks the door, her hand in the air waving her phone. "I need one last favor! Our Insta content is really getting traction guys. People love the rapid-fire questions so as you leave, please tell me what you miss most from home when you're on road trips. I'll post it when you're on the road tomorrow. Just shoot out a line into my phone camera okay? Your kids. Your wife. Your pet. Your favorite restaurant. Whatever. Make it interesting and fun."
Some of the guys roll their eyes. Others groan. Nobody likes doing social media but it's an unavoidable part of the job. Pennie plants herself against the door frame and holds up her phone. "Okay, one at a time. And let's get the coaches too."
We start to trickle through the door. Every player mumbles something to Pennie’s phone. Dinner date gets said a lot becauseshe suggested it and these guys are not wasting energy overthinking it. I am though. I can’t say girlfriend, especially after what Alex just said.
And if I wasn’t one hundred percent on that hunch, I am when he slots into the line right in front of me. “I miss my family. My wife and my amazing daughters.”
Yep. That’s what my new coach says into the camera. I shuffle by, barely looking at the stupid phone. “Nothing.”
"Not your girlfriend?" Pennie questions, and I want to kill her because she hasn't asked anyone else a follow-up question.
“Nothing,” I repeat.
Pennie’s eyebrows furrow momentarily and then the next guy says, “My video games” and everyone forgets my clip.
I don’t stick around, heading straight to my car to find a place to get a new phone.
Chapter 29
Mac
Beckett is the first person I see when I walk out of a patient's room at the end of my rounds. He's leaning on the nurse's station, staring at his phone. Why the hell he's up on this floor I have no idea. I haven't asked Shelby about his shifts anymore because I guess I stopped caring. I've been so wrapped up with Conner that I honestly don't care if I'm working the same shifts as Beckett. That said, that doesn't mean I'm going to actually interact with the trash panda.
I turn in the opposite direction to head away from him, even if it means walking the long way around the damn hospital to get where I need to go, I’m good with it.
“Mackenzie!”
I keep walking. Sadly Beckett has legs and knows how to use them so he’s beside me before I can reach the elevator. “Hey Macken… Mac. I just need a second of your time.”
“What?” I bark.
He stands there staring with his big brown eyes that used to make me flutter. Now, they’re just eyeballs. They lack the depth of Conner’s hazel ones, with their swirls of amber and smoky gray. And they most definitely have never lookedat me with the warmth I see in Conner’s eyes every damn time we are in a room together.
