I roll my eyes. The kid doesn’t have a shot at a spot on our roster regardless, but I doubt any NHL team will be knocking down his door in hopes of signing him.
“Door’s right there,” Addie says, skating toward the asshole.
She’s put up with shit like this from bullies her whole life, and by now, it’s clear she knows that she has to get in his face. That she can’t cower.
I’m so fucking proud of her for the way she handles herself. She used to let him chirp. Ignore him. And I get the tactic. But now that she’s the coach, she can’t go on like that. She has to put him in his place. “Or you can get in the net and let me see if your reflexes are as fast as your mouth.”
Dirk grumbles an apology, and she shakes her head like it’s no big deal. “Go get sneakers on. I’ll meet you in the gym,” she tells us.
I shift closer to her as the guys skate toward the locker room. “You okay?”
She tenses, but only for only a second. Then she lets out a long sigh. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It can’t be easy seeing him again.” I shouldn’t push this, I know that, but I can’t help myself. I can’t help but remind her that there was a time when I knew just about everything about her. All her deep, dark secrets. Every insecurity. This must be hard, and I’m itching for her to acknowledge our past friendship even if only for a second. Why? I have no fucking clue.
She says nothing.
“You should talk to Gavin. Tell him?—”
Her spine snaps straight and her head whips my way. “Are you planning on losing your spot on the team?”
“No.” I jolt back with a scowl.
She remains completely calm, her attention back on the net. “Has Sidney mentioned anything to you about retiring?”
A thread of uncertainty weaves its way through me. “No.”
“Then I don’t have to worry about Dirk. He’ll be gone in a week.”
I can’t stop the irritated rumble deep in my chest. “You know what I mean.”
“JJ.”
I should feel bad for pushing her. Instead, I’m too caught up on my name coming from her mouth. Because for the last few years, she hasn’t said my name. She stopped talking to me period. So for a moment I replay the way the two syllables sounded on her lips. It almost makes me smile, though the urge is extinguished quickly when her expression turns murderous.
“Mind your business.”
FIVE
ADDIE
Hope: Finn’s making dinner. Should be ready at 6.
Winnie: Doesn’t Finn have his own house?
Vivi: If he does, he hasn’t gone to it yet…
Winnie: Were the boys okay today?
Vivi: They were fine.
Hope: She’s being kind. Declan stuck a marble up Beck’s nose and Finn had to perform quite a bit of gross work to get it out.
Vivi: Sorry, I should have been watching them closer.
Winnie: LOL. Trust me, no one can stop them from acting the way they do. I appreciate you, Vi.
Hope: You coming home, Addie, or are you too busy plotting JJ’s murder?
