“What did I miss?” Dove enters from the kitchen.
She’s wearing jeans and a long-sleeved tee, and I can tell she’s just come from campus. Kelani is dancing around her feet, letting out breathy little yaps.
I would bend down and pick her up… only, I’m afraid I might lose my fucking balance, and that’s the last thing I need all of them seeing.
I’m not about to give these guys any more reason to pile on with the doctor’s orders.
“Mav’s trying to get back on the ice,” Knox tells her from where he’s sitting on the couch frowning at his phone.
“Maverick…” Dove puts a hand on her hip, tilting her head to the side. “You have to take it easy. Are your ears still ringing?”
“No.” That is at least the truth.
My vision is clear and my ears have settled down.
I do feel like I’m on a boat if I move too quickly, which I guess means I shouldn’t be on skates.
“What the fuck am I going to do for a month? Sit around here and get out of shape and sloppy?”
“It’ll take longer than a month for that to happen.” Haddy walks over, putting her hand on my shoulder and giving me a gentle rub. “You’re in great shape, and your muscles will remember.”
“Haddy’s right,” Edward says. “You’ll retrain up to 25 percent faster with muscle memory.”
“See?” Haddy gestures to him. “In the meantime, you have PR engagements, and I can see if Carla wants to do another promo at the shelter.”
“That’s one afternoon, two tops.”
We’re quiet, and Knox exhales another impatient growl from the end of the couch. “Do some people just have too much time on their hands? Get a life.”
“Like you’d react any better if the tables were turned.” My voice is sharp.
“What?” He blinks from his phone to me. “Nah, I wasn’t talking about you, bro. A month off the ice sucks. You’ll be jumping out the window this time next week.”
“Thank you.” I hold out a hand to him, looking at Haddy. “This guy gets me.”
“You’re welcome,” he grumbles.
Now I’m curious. “What the hell are you bitching about?”
“This sports podcaster is so far up my ass…” He stands, shoving the device into his pocket. “I’m out here with my family, my injured cousin, yet I should be in training. I’m not taking the upcoming season seriously.”
“Don’t you football players get to lay around until July?” I can’t resist teasing him.
“Jealous?” He dishes it right back.
“No. I don’t want to lay around.” Although, when my eyes drift to where Haddy is talking to Dove, I consider it might be nice to have a little free time.
“The Quarterback Princess again?” Austin walks over, and my ears perk up.
“The what?” I ask.
“Melody Dunn,” Knox answers me. “She’s a sideline reporter turned sports podcaster. Last season she gained a big following critiquing every move I made. She built her whole brand around it. She said I was trying to make the Saints the ’aints.”
“Bruh,” I chuckle. “Burn.”
“It’s bullshit,” he snaps. “I hate this chick.”
“Take it easy,” Austin says, and Knox cuts him a look.
