Luca: Looking forward to it.
The doors behind me opened, so I stuffed my phone into my pocket. Decker and Leo Boucher, a defenseman, came into view.
Deck was all smiles as he approached. “Hey, buddy. Where ya been? You’re not your regular pasty white.”
I supplied him with a rude gesture. “Bermuda. How are the kids?” We exchanged small talk before he introduced Leo. “Axel, this is Leo Boucher. Leo,theAxel Hughes. DEL player of the year last season.”
I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. You’re overselling me. That shit is bad luck.”
“Doesn’t count until we hit the ice the first time.” That was true. “How’s Luca?”
Just the mention of his name did something to my face I was sure my friends would not allow me to forget. “He’s good. Starts his last semester tonight.” I left it at that and headed for the locker room. Decker and Boucher followed as other players came in with conversations and introductions flowing happily around the locker room. I waited for the inevitable questions that would come, and didn’t have to wait long.
“Hey, you’ve got a twin?” Anders Karlsson asked. “He’s a pro-bowler in the NFL, right? Are you as good as him?”
Normally, I would have popped off with a smart response. But it was obvious it wasn’t a derogatory question or made with ill intent. My response would set the tone for the entire season. So, I smiled. “Yes, I do. Mason dominates the grass. I own the ice.”
He grinned. “That’s cool.” I waited for more questions, but he moved on to what it was like to play overseas and where I was living. As it turns out, he and his wife lived a couple of blocks away. “If you need anything, let us know. I like to run in the neighborhood early in the morning before the sun comes up. Let me know if you want to join.”
Much to my surprise, things already felt different. More upbeat. “Yeah. I will.”
“Cool,” he said, pulling out his phone. “Let me give you my number.”
I already had it from my team paperwork, but I didn’t stop him. As he rattled it off, others joined in to exchange them. The normal competitive tension from bringing so many men into one space seemed to be absent. Now I had to match the energy.
“Welcome back,” Coach said over the conversation. “We’ve got some new members on the team. Two more were just signed, and another is getting ready to be traded our way. We’ll see them in the next couple of days.”
Byers introduced the assistant coaches, the training staff, and the dieticians. “After assessments, everyone gets an optimal nutrition plan. Management has given you access to our dieticians and team chef for those of you who want to order take-home meals. Stay out of the bougie restaurants except when we’re on the road.” Everyone laughed. “Let’s get breakfast and the medical over with, then move on to see how many of you kept up with your training over the offseason. Dryland is up first,then the on-ice skills.” He clapped his hands together. “Let’s go, Nighthawks. This is the first day of the quest for the cup.”
Chapter 27
Luca
When I left the office, I stopped by my apartment to change clothes before heading to class. It was stupid hot, which made peeling off my work clothes for something cooler a no-brainer. After a quick shower, I redressed in shorts and a T-shirt, made a quick sandwich, then padded off to class.
I was tired as hell from not getting adequate sleep after spending most of the night fanning the sheets to cool down. The ten-dollar floor fan wasn’t moving enough air around to cool things down. Axel had spoiled me, and I was a fool for not staying with him until the late summer heat wave passed. I could resume my distance training later when I had no choice.
One more night, Luca. Then you can go back to him. You can do it.
With my resolve intact, I walked into my Clinical Issues with the Aging class to discover I had my choice of seats since no one had arrived. Checking the time, I took my usual spot in the back of the room where I could slip into class when I was late. My professors knew where I worked, and sometimes it couldn’t be avoided. Now that my car was no longer a problem, thanks to Axel, maybe I could sit closer. Moving up, I sat at the middle table.Bold move, Vaughn.
My phone vibrated on the table, the volume so high it danced around. Thankful no one was here to witness it, I grabbed it to find another of his texts.
Axel: What time is class over?
My heart picked up a beat every time I thought about him.
Me: Eight-thirty. Why?
Axel: I’ll be outside. I need a fix.
I bit my lip.
Me: Me too.
Two days had been torture, and I wanted class to be over. He’d made good on his promise to ruin me, and now that included school. This was going to be the longest class ever.
The deranged smile I was sure to be wearing got the attention of the person who had taken the seat at my table. “That must be really good news.”
