Page 205 of While You Were Trending

“Your latestFoxy Goes Therevideo caught some attention in the Thrusters’ front office,” Yvette says. “The pottery disaster. It reminded them of their mascot.”

“We gave them a sample of the footage from the winery documentary,” Eddie adds.

“So if you’re still in shape?—”

“I’m in fucking shape,” I interrupt.

I look at Ginny.

She’s staring at the phone, not looking back at me.

“They’d like to invite you to join them for morning skates for a few weeks,” Yvette says.

“With Shade documenting everything,” Eddie chimes in.

“Are you for real?” I ask.

Getting back on the ice—back in the show—pro hockey—this is what I’ve wanted.

What I’ve been waiting for.

Dream come true.

But Ginny—Ginny’s my other dream come true.

I don’t want to leave her.

Not when we’re in such a good place.

“We’re completely for real,” Yvette says. “You’d be on contract with the Thrusters and get a producer credit for the documentary as well.”

“I—” I start, and I have to stop.

Suck in air.

Breathe.

The excitement rushing through my veins is undeniable.

Iwantto be back on the ice.

I didn’t truly think this could happen, that I’d get a comeback opportunity, but it’s here.

Now.

“They want you immediately,” Eddie says.

“Health checks, skills observations, the usual,” Yvette says.

“If you make the team, we wouldn’t even have to air the wine stuff.”

I grip Ginny’s hand. “You’re fucking airing the winery documentary.”

“If you make the team, you won’t have time to be there for the rest of the scheduled filming,” Eddie says. “Shade either.”

“Teams don’t have tryouts in the middle of the season,” I reply.

Yvette and Eddie both start talking at once, but then Eddie’s voice cuts out like Yvette’s put her on mute.