Page 48 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“It sounds like someone’s being tortured in here,” Rett adds, also joining the party.

“You’d think life has been hard enough recently, but no…” I laugh, but there’s zero humor in it.

“You’re gonna feel that tomorrow,” Rett points out.

“Might bail on our morning skate.”

“The hell you are,” Fletch says, appearing in the doorway. “We’re all hitting the ice in the morning. Captain’s orders.”

I lift my hand, saluting him. “Yes, sir.”

“Darce, try and work that smartass out of him, would you?” Fletch asks with a laugh.

“You got it.”

I cry again.

“I would say it’s good to see you, Cap, but I’m not so sure.”

Fletch chuckles. “It’s good to see you, too, Marilyn. I’m sorry to hear about your sister.”

Instantly, the atmosphere in the room shifts.

“Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Did you have a good break?” I ask. He and his wife, Reese, the Vipers event coordinator, had a few days away before the season started and missed the wedding.

“Yeah, it was good. Ready to get back at it now. See you all in the morning, yeah?”

“You got it, boss,” Linc says as Fletch disappears.

“You almost done here?” Rett asks. “We’re heading for lunch.”

“Nope. Not even close,” Darcy responds for me.

“Fantastic. You go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You sure? We can wait,” Rett offers, although from the way Linc’s chin drops in shock, I’m not sure he agrees.

“Yeah, you go. I’ve got stuff to do this afternoon anyway.”

“You hear that? Marilyn has something more important to do than hang out with us,” Rett teases. “And here I was thinking I was important to him.”

“You’re an idiot,” Linc says, shoving Rett toward the door. “See you tomorrow, Monroe. If Darcy goes easy on you and lets you out early, call us.”

“Sure thing,” I agree, but I already know I’m not going to. I’ve got my sights set on someone much smaller and way hotter than either of them.

It’s almost two hours later when I’m finally able to leave the arena. I’ve cursed Darcy out more times than I can count. He laughed off every single one, fucking sadist. Even Parker laughed when she appeared a little while after Rett and Linc left. And now, I’m in pain. Something tells me that I’ll be covered in bruises tomorrow, and Rett was right: tomorrow’s skating session is going to fucking hurt. I need to get used to it, though. Preseason games will be here before we know it, and then we’ve got a full season and, hopefully, the playoffs ahead of us.

The late summer sun is blazing when I pull out of the arena’s parking garage. The sight of the bright blue sky and endless sunshine makes me feel better. Everything always feels better in LA. It’s not like the gloomy wet days I remember from my childhood, where all we did was dream of days like this.

I checked my cell the second I was finished with Darcy, but there was nothing from Hailee. Her silence makes me nervous, but it’s not enough to stop me from trying to see her.

Those who don’t try, don’t get, right?

14

HAILEE

Lowering my cell after placing my order, I wiggle my toes, rest my head back on my lounger, and take a deep breath. This balcony is hands down my favorite part of my apartment, and days like today make my heart feel so much lighter.