Page 51 of The Big Puck

I laugh and walk away from him, not seeing, not thinking, but seething with frustration and anger until I slam my office door behind me. Kapinski taps on my door and comes inside without waiting for an answer.

He whistles. “That was some blowout.”

“You heard it?”

“Every fucking word. I wanted to applaud you, but I thought one of us in the dog house at a time was best.”

I snort a laugh. “Thanks.”

“If it’s any consolation, I think you’ve done an excellent job getting this team ready to play with each other. They’re starting to gel. I like your line rotations, your defensive pairings, and how you’ve taken time with each individual player to help them work on the thing they need most—whatever it may be.

“Man, I never saw a guy who knew his players so well, down to every quirk of their shot, every tendency of their stick handling and skating. I’m with you all the way, Coach. For whatever that’s worth besides a beer and a laugh.”

“It means a lot, Kap.” I stand and pull on my jacket and tie. “Let’s do this. I think we have a pre-game date with the media.”

He nods and slaps my back as I walk by him back out the door, and he follows me to the ice where Gavonza has invited the media and a slew of VIPs to hang out before the game. I didn’t realize he has a buffet set up in the hall like we’re at a cocktail party until we get there. Shit.

Keeping my voice low, I say for Kap’s ears only, “Go make sure the team doesn’t come out of the locker room until this party clears out. Last thing we need is a pre-game distraction.”

Chapter 19

LAINEY

On the way to the game with Shonda, I repeat silent meditations in my head, the kind meant to calm a person. But to no avail. My heart still palpitates with unease, and my tummy still feels like we’re on a tilt-a-whirl ride. Luckily, the rink isn’t far. Damn lucky.

“Isn’t it your job to take care of the baby?” she says after we drive a block.

“Krissy?”

“Sure. I knew her name.”

“I have the night off. My first night off in fact. Aunt Hildie’s friend Pam is a lovely woman, and I’m sure she’ll be fine. Nice of you to worry.”

“Right.” She looks out the side window for a second, and I’m crossing my toes that she’s done talking, not because I’m not good at making conversation, but because I don’t want to say the wrong thing to her. And by wrong thing, I mean something nasty and spiteful because my gut tells me she doesn’t like me, and not because I’m not a nice person, but because she knows. I don’t know how she knows—it’s a woman thing—but she knows there was something between me and Spencer. And by something, I mean the kiss—though Shonda probably assumes a heck of a lot more than a kiss. I would if I were her.

“So, is this what you do? You’re a nanny?”

“No, I’m a kindergarten teacher, but I just moved up here with my brother for the season.” There. That wasn’t so hard. I responded to her pointed, mean-spirited question that she delivered in a tone that was meant to make me feel inferior, and I didn’t even try to pull her hair out.

She does have nice hair.

“I like your hair.” I can’t help myself.

She gives me a surprised look. “Thanks.” She looks me over, presumably for something to compliment me on, but evidently, I fall short because she says nothing more.

“Here’s the garage where Jason told me to park.” I breathe a sigh of relief as I stick the key card in the VIP garage entry, and we pull in.

“Is this the garage for players?” Shonda looks around impressed.

“Yes. Players and staff and others that management gives passes to. My brother Jason plays, and he gave me—”

“I get it.” She’s out the door before the engine stops.

I wait until her elevator door closes before I bother going near the garage lobby and get my own elevator up. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to her, but she doesn’t seem like she’s interested in being friendly with me. Understatement of the century.

That means I’ll need to reassure her that there’s nothing between me and Spence. Right after I finish reassuring myself of that so I don’t feel like a two-faced liar. She probably sees right through me. That would explain her animosity.

Letting out a huff of breath, I forget all about Shonda as the elevator doors open because I’m excited to see Jason play tonight, and the arena is rocking already a half hour before game time—for a freaking pre-season game. Making my wait to my seat, I look down the row for someone I know as I take the second seat in, next to Tina Gavonza of all people.