I’d been struggling with. I wasn’t jealous that Dani had found that kind of sigh-worthy love with Tyson. I was envious that my little sister had found it first.
I smiled at her—a genuine smile. “I’m relieved to hear it. And I am happy you’re here.”
“You don’t hate me?”
“Sis. I could never hate you. But I’ve gotta be honest. It’d be better for you, me and Tyson if we didn’t hang out for a while. So don’t feel guilty for throwing yourself into couplehood.”
Her brows furrowed. “You don’t want to see me at all?”
“If it’s just you? Sure. But it’d be weird if the three of us sat around and watched movies like we used to.”
“I get it.” Those honey-flecked eyes searched my face. “Will you be okay, Gabs?”
What she was really asking? If I’d be okay alone. What she didn’t understand, what I’d only started to grasp myself, was I’d felt alone even when I’d dated Tyson. When I’d dated anyone, actually. “I’ll be fine. Lots of irons in the fire.”
Dani leaned in. “Have you heard anything else about the new team?”
“How’d you hear about it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Remember that hockey players are the worst gossips. Natt and Viv wouldn’t shut up about it until JR snapped that not everyone had gotten the call.”
“Meaning JR didn’t get a call?”
“I don’t think so. Amylin didn’t chime in either.”
Shit. Two of my former teammates on the national team, same age as me, had been bypassed.
Or maybe they just passed on this so-called opportunity because they’re ready to have real lives and real jobs and are done chasing pucks.
I zeroed in on my sister. “Did you get a call?”
“Yes. Did you?”
“Yes.”
She squealed. “We might be playing on the same team? That would be the tits.”
“This is your big sister warning you not to get your hopes up. Many people have tried to expand the league. No one has succeeded. It’s always just talk.”
“Gotcha.”
Loud voices echoed from the locker room.
“I know you’ve got stuff to do, but can I get a hug before I go?” Dani asked.
“C’mere.” I squeezed her tightly. “Thanks for showing up.”
“I couldn’t let it go on another day.” She whispered, “I love you, Gabs.”
“Love you too, Dani. We’ll talk soon.”
* * *
* * *
Saturday morning had been busy with hockey classes, but I’d left the rink by two. By three I’d showered, eaten and retreated to my home office to check my email.
Monday morning I’d gotten an email from Wolf Sports North indicating they’d received my résumé. The remainder of the email was the standard “don’t contact us, we’ll contact you” and their disclaimer about misdirected emails. I’d figured I wouldn’t have a response from them either way for two weeks.
So it shocked the hell out of me to see an email from an assistant to the production manager. I clicked on it.
Personal and Confidential
Gabriella Welk:
Congratulations! After reviewing your application, you’ve passed to the next round.
You are invited to complete Step 2 in the interview process, which is to submit an audio and video recording that showcases your game calling expertise. The details were sent in a separate document as an attachment.
We’re also including the following weblinks as reference points to clarify our submission expectations.
Also attached is a more in-depth questionnaire, which should be filled out in its entirety and returned with your AV file. Both are due 5 (five) days from receipt of this notification.
Best of luck. We look forward to your submission.
Sincerely,
Dahlia Switch
Wolf Sports North
I must’ve reread the email ten times before I actually believed I’d made the first cut.
Holy shit.
This was definitely worth celebrating.
Six
NOLAN
The Lund family members—aka the Lund Collective—were tasked to arrive at Full Tilt Barcade an hour before the official pre-party started.
I wandered into the first room. Jax and his wife, Lucy, were in deep in conversation with some guy I didn’t recognize, so I scanned the area for other familiar faces.
When my cousin Dallas saw me, she squealed and bounded over for a hug. “Nolan! You’re here.” She made a show of looking around me. “Where’s your plus-one?”
“I’m flying solo tonight.”
I checked out her attire, first noticing the neon-green headband and her high ponytail dangling to the left side of her head. My gaze moved to the bright orange and vivid blue geometric earrings that brushed her bare shoulders and matched the six chunky strands of necklaces circling her neck. She’d donned a Flashdance–style oversized black T-shirt dress with FULL TILT spelled out across her chest in sparkly purple letters. Below that