before the game, we cut the periods in half, so we played thirty minutes, but it felt like sixty minutes.
Must be that pesky age thing nipping at my blades.
Dani’s team won 3 to 1, but I was proud the lone goal for our team belonged to me.
Exhausted, but more at peace than I’d been since yesterday, I jumped when someone beat on the glass behind me. I spun around and saw a guy in a ball cap and a bomber jacket.
My eyes narrowed; he was wearing a Chicago Blackhawks ball cap. In the Wild’s practice facility.
Only one guy cocky enough to do that.
Jax gestured to the open section between the seating and the exit, so I skated over there.
Dani joined me.
Before I could say a word, Dani half elbowed me out of the way and said, “Glad you made it, Mr. Lund.”
Mr. Lund?
“Call me Jax. You ladies looked great. That goalie of yours . . . she’s top-notch.”
“Right? Glad I’m not playing against her.”
“So how many are interested in talking to me?”
Dani said, “I’ve kept it to two.”
I whipped off my gloves and made the time-out sign. “Someone wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“After our talk this morning,” Dani started, “I realized I’m the perfect replacement for your position at Lakeside. Well, not your position exactly, as I think Mr.—Jax—has ideas on pursuing club hockey options.”
He grinned at me. “I’m here recruiting. I’m also here to tell you there are no hard feelings. I always knew you had bigger things awaiting you out there. You leaving Lakeside forces me to get my ass in gear about making changes. Dani texted me earlier and said she’d be happy to fill in for you as long as necessary. So I went one better and hired her.”
I looked at my sister in shock . . . and awe, to be honest.
“Yeah, sorry, I lifted his number from your phone. I figured the least I could do was help you clear a couple of hurdles.”
“Dani.” Then it hit me. “Wait. What’s the other hurdle?”
A guy in a hoodie and jeans stood up and joined Jax.
Nolan.
No wonder I hadn’t recognized him. He didn’t look like my Nolan at all.
“For the record, I strongly object to being referred to as a hurdle,” Nolan said dryly.
“For the record, Gabi needs a ride home as I will be in business meetings with Mr.—Jaxson Lund.” Dani gave me a one-armed hug and leaned in to whisper, “Call me later. You got this.”
Jax gave us the thumbs-up and then took off.
My eyes met Nolan’s. “How long have you been here?”
“Since the game started.” He smirked. “Awesome deke, by the way.”
“Thanks.”
He leaned closer and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, letting the backs of his knuckles graze my cheek. “You shine out there. I love watching you play. I hope that no matter what happens, you’ll never stop playing.” He dropped his hand. “So I’m hoping you have time to talk.”
I snorted. “I have nothing but time, apparently, since my sister overed on my damn job.”
“It’s a perfect solution. I’m thrilled she’s helping you out for a change.”
“Me too.”
“She ah . . . texted me so I knew where you’d be.”
“The girl’s gone rogue, breaking into my phone.”
“Are you upset she contacted me?”
I shook my head.
“Okay. Good.”
Why was this so awkward between us?
“Umm, I’ll get changed and meet you by the locker room entrance in fifteen.” Then I took a chance, giving him a blatant once-over. “But before I go, I have to know . . . did you get assaulted by a bum and he forced you to trade clothes with him?”
Nolan threw back his head and laughed. Then he grabbed my jersey and leaned over the partition to give me a blistering-hot kiss that nearly melted the ice beneath me.
After he released me, he said, “Hurry. And, Happy, you know I’d prefer it if you didn’t shower anyway.”
“Pervert.”
He gifted me with a smacking kiss on the mouth. “Go.”
After I stowed my gear, I decided to check my phone and see who else my little sister had contacted on my behalf.
No one, thankfully. But there was a voice mail from a Wolf Sports North ID.
My gut clenched. Better to get it over with. I hit play.
“Gabi? This is Lance Jacoby, CEO of Wolf Sports North. We spoke yesterday. I’m calling to let you know that we’ve researched the situation and found ourselves in error. It was unnecessary to put your position on hold. As you indicated yesterday, you