Page 26 of One Kind Goal

Chapter Five

“I’m not sure whether to be sad or happy for you.” Teddy helped Sawyer load a suitcase into the back of Sawyer’s SUV. “I mean, not being on the ice sucks for you and the Anchors, but a trip to the woods to be with Morgan doesn’t sound as if it sucks at all.”

“Silver lining and shit, I guess.” Sawyer jiggled his keys in his left hand. “I was pretty bummed about not playing. I still am, but talking to Morgan and her Vermont plan softened the blow. I’m going to focus on having fun and hopefully this will mend quickly.” He held up his casted arm. It hurt less today, but having to do things with his left hand was awkward. He was off center and clumsy. Hopefully, his ability to navigate around the contours of Morgan’s body wouldn’t be affected.

“Well, enjoy yourself,” Teddy said. “I’ll keep an eye on your house.”

“Thanks, man.” Sawyer held out his left hand and they exchanged a fumbling handshake. “Ugh, why couldn’t it have been my left arm that broke?”

“Think of it as an opportunity to sharpen your left-hand skills,” Teddy said. “Might improve your ability to handle the puck.” He held up his hands quickly. “Not that I’m saying you need to improve your ability to handle the puck.”

“No, no. That’s fair. There’s always room for improvement,” Sawyer said. “I’m not such an athletic diva that I don’t think I can get better at the game.”

“And that’s why fans think you’re amazing,” Teddy said. “Because you come off as this humble, regular guy who happens to be good at hockey. You make it seem effortless and they are in awe of that. They think you’re a god.”

“Well, the fact that I’m breakable debunks the god theory.” He tapped the cast. “There are pics of my broken arm on the web and the comments are equal parts Is he okay? and Have the Anchors lost their shot at the Cup?”

“I saw one this morning that said If Lundin’s not playing, I’m not watching,” Teddy said. “I bet the team loses some of its fan base without you.”

“The team’s publicist is working on something to keep my name out there and linked with the Anchors,” Sawyer said. “I think he’s worried about team support too.”

“How much damage can a few weeks do?”

“It can cost us the Cup.”

“Well, yeah, but I meant to your career at large,” Teddy said. “You’ll be back to end this season and then there’s next year to journey to the Cup again.”

“You’re right.”

“And in the meantime, you get to frolic in the snowy woods with a hot chick.” Teddy rocked back on his heels. “Sounds like an okay thing to me.”

Sawyer was about to agree, but his phone vibrating in his pocket stopped him. He pulled the phone out and nearly dropped it twice because he was using his left hand.

“Wow,” Teddy said. “Not even semi-ambidextrous?”

“Watch footage of me playing,” Sawyer said. “It’s all a right-handed game, bro.” He glanced at his phone, his eyebrows rising when Carina’s name flashed on the screen. “Hello?”

“Hi, Sawyer,” she said. “I saw the news about your accident. I’m sorry you can’t play hockey, but I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Uhh . . .thanks.” That was the nicest she’d been to him in a long time. “How are you and Nia?”

“We’re fine. Nia is actually why I’m calling,” she said. “I thought . . . well, do you maybe want to take her for a bit while you’re not playing hockey? I imagine the press won’t be all over you while you’re healing and you’ll have the time to make sure she’s kept out of the public eye.”

Sawyer didn’t know what to say. Carina had never offered to let him have Nia. Not once. Any time he’d succeeded in seeing his daughter had been because he’d begged and pleaded and promised with his life that he’d keep Nia away from the cameras.

“A few days,” Carina continued. “If you’re not too injured to care for her, that is.”

Shit. He wanted to spend time with Nia so badly, but he’d made plans with Morgan. If he said no to Carina now though, she’d never ask him again, and he couldn’t have that. This chance right now might be the one thing that broke the locks Carina had put on his relationship with Nia.

“I’m planning a trip to Vermont,” he said. “Can I take Nia with me there? It’s this quiet, out-of-the-way town called Maplehaven. I’m staying at the Pine River Cottages Mountain Resort. I can give you the exact address.” He figured if he gave Carina their specific location, she’d be more likely to approve. But he also had to be completely honest with her. “I’m also meeting a . . . friend there. Her name is Morgan.”

“Is she the kind of woman who should be around a child?” Carina asked.

Sawyer clamped down on the flash of anger that question sparked. As if he’d allow his daughter to be around someone of low-quality moral fiber. “She’s a lovely person, Carina. Completely respectable and approved to be in a child’s proximity.”

“I’m sorry.” Her voice actually sounded penitent. “I didn’t mean to imply you would keep company with someone who was not fit for a child. Nia’s safety and happiness are my highest concerns. That’s all.” She cleared her throat. “She . . . she actually asked to see you.”

Sawyer put his casted hand to his heart, his throat tight. “She did?”