"Mal?"Morgan's hand vanishes."I didn't know you were there."
"I just came to see how Captain Concussion is doing."
I'm shaking with laughter."I'm doing just fine, sweetheart."
"Do I need to go stay with Nicola?"she asks.
Morgan groans in embarrassment."No, you don't.I was just teasing him."
"Well, that's just cruel," Mal says.
"Not like that."Morgan answers, her tone sour with irritation.
"That was a hell of a game, Noah," Mal says, approaching the bed and sitting on the sea chest."That pass to Carterwhileyou were falling?"
I grin at her."Gotta make the play.”
Mal's answering grin fades fast."I'm guessing this didn't help me on the 'Mal wants to play hockey' front?"
Morgan groans again, turning her face into my chest for a moment."Mal, c'mon.Do we have to discuss thisnow?"
"No.Just saying."
I squeeze her hip."Morgan."I drop my voice to a murmur."Not my place, I know, but…let the girl play hockey.She'll be as safe as she can be with Bill and the boys.If I had a daughter, I'd trust her on his team."
Morgan lifts on an elbow, peers at me, and then at Mal."Your practice time with me doesn't suffer.This isin additionto figure skating, Mallory Morgan."
Mallory hops up and down, clapping."I'll practice more than ever, I promise!"She stills."This isn't a joke?"
Morgan snorts."You really think I'd tease you about this?"
"I can play?"
"Yes, you can play."She pauses."And just for the record, I’d decided to let you playbeforeNoah said anything.Just so you don't go thinking it was him that made the difference."
I chuckle."Wouldn't want that."
"Hush, you," Morgan says."This is between my daughter and me.”
Mal is positively beside herself."Should I get this in writing before you change your mind?"
Morgan chuckles."No.I'm not going to reverse my decision unless you suddenly start talking about quitting figure skating."
"I told you, Mom—I still love figure skating.I just love hockey equally as much."She attacks her mother with a full-tilt sprinting bear hug."Thank you, Mom—thankyouthankyouthankyou.You won't regret this, I swear."
Morgan pulls back a little and toys with Mallory's hair."I'm sorry it took so long for me to come around."
Mallory sniffles."It's okay.I get it…now, at least.I didn't always."
"I know I haven't been exactly forthcoming about the past," Morgan says."I just want you to be happy.And clearly, hockey makes you happy.Please just be careful.Wear a mouthguard and don't get pancaked."
Mallory is on her feet, phone out."I won't!I gotta call the girls.I gotta call Coach Bill!"
Morgan chuckles, watching Mallory spaz out."Should have let her a long time ago."
I pat her hip."No point in woulda-coulda-shoulda, honey.You had your reasons."
"Selfish ones."
