Page 32 of Golden Goal

“I came by to tell you we’re leaving at noon to drive over to Hunter and Mads’s if you want to come with us.”

“Oh,” I rock back on my heels. “I wasn’t planning to go.”

She frowns, peeking around me into the apartment. “I didn’t realize you had plans. Sorry. I assumed you were coming.” She gestures over her shoulder. “I heard Hunt tell Holt he invited you.”

I raise my eyebrows.

Why are they talking about me?

She must read the question on my face because she huffs out a laugh. “Don’t worry, he also told Holt he invited Sutton, Ansley, and basically the rest of the staff.”

“I feel weird going.” I grimace. “It’s totally a me thing. I’m still trying to find my footing and place with the team. Figure out what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s so different from what I’m used to after years of private practice where I never saw my patients outside of appointments.”

“I get it.” She pauses. “I take that back, I don’t really get it because I’ve always been connected to the team because of Holt. But I can understand where you’re coming from, trying to create boundaries as a medical professional. I also understand all of this can be a lot. But I promise they want you there. We all do. You’re more than welcome.“ She puts her hands together, pretending to beg. “Please come. I can use more friends. And it’ll be more fun than sitting home alone. Well”—she pauses, glancing around—“provided you are alone. I probably shouldn’t assume you’re unattached.” She grimaces.

“Just my cat, Peaches, for company.”

I blow out a breath, thinking through what she said. Holt and I have become friends, of sorts, kind of, I think, and it hasn’t affected my ability to treat him. Besides, it’s one in the afternoon on a holiday.

Do I really want to be alone?

Deep down I know the answer is no.

“I’ll go,” I tell her.

She pumps her fist in the air. “Yes! We’re leaving in two hours.”

“What should I wear?”

“Jeans are fine. It’s super casual.”

I nod, and she waves goodbye with a promise to come knock when they’re ready to leave. Once she’s gone, I lean against the closed door.

Guess I’ve got to take a shower now, and actually get ready to be out in public. A small part of me still doesn’t want to go, but a bigger part of me really wants to. Wants to be part of the Storm family everyone keeps inviting me into.

I’m tired of being alone. It always felt easier to keep everyone at arm’s length so no one gets hurt. But it’s been nice getting to know Sutton and the other ladies. Making friends, even with the players. As long as we’re just friends, even if part of me feels like that’s crossing a line I shouldn’t cross. I have to remind myself that working for a professional hockey team isn’t the same as working for a private practice. The lines are a little more blurry as far as the patients becoming my friends.

Chapter fourteen

Holt

“You did what?” I glare at my sister as I give Hazel a bottle.

“Invited Rebecca to drive with us.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “Figured we’re all going to the same place, so we might as well carpool. She wasn’t going to come, but I insisted it was way better than spending the day alone.”

I stare at my sister. It’s bad enough she’s making me go, now she’s harassed Rebecca to come with us, too.

“You’re as much of a meddler as Wes is,” I mutter under my breath.

Except Wes is only a meddler in people’s love lives whereas Hadley is a meddler in people’s lives in general.

“I heard that,” she says over her shoulder as she walks out of the living room. “We’re leaving in two hours. Make sure you’re ready.”

I grunt in response since she’s already out of earshot as the door to the guest room, which has become her room, closes behind her.

I finish feeding Hazel, grateful that she’s too young to talk and insist I do things I don’t want to do.

“We need to keep you away from your Auntie Hads when you’re older. Don’t need her teaching you her meddling ways,” I mutter as I lift her to my shoulder and pat her back. She lets out a loud burp, and then I feel something warm down my back.