Page 88 of Broken Ice, Mended Hearts

“You mean the blow job in the car on the way over here wasn’t enough?” Eckie asked.

“Stop,” Nick commanded, using his best captain’s voice. “TMI.”

“I don’t know.” Jacob poked Nick with his elbow. “Let them talk. Maybe we’ll get some ideas for a pit stop on our way home.”

The laughter flowed over me, so good to hear after the last few days, and I glanced at Pip. “Take notes, D-man. We can use some new ideas too.”

That sparked a new round of chuckles, which were worth the pain when I laughed.

Yet another visitor knocked and called out, “Yoo-hoo, anybody home?”

I glanced at the door. “Alex. What are you doing here? I thought you went back to New York this afternoon.”

Looking around, she didn’t miss a beat. “Actually, I’m here to recruit some new clients.” Everyone chuckled as she crossed the room and kissed me on the cheek. “My flight was canceled, and they couldn’t rebook me until nine-thirty tonight. I’d rather spend the time with my boys than sit in the airport.” She glanced at Pip. “Someone has to keep Gags in line.”

I looked at the handsomest man in the room, and my heart fluttered at the way he was beaming at me. “Sorry, but that’s my job.”

Chapter 25

Sven

Two Weeks Later

After breakfast,I sat in front of the windows in the sunroom. It was great to be out of the hospital, and while Pip cleaned the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher, I thought about what lay ahead. The doctors said I was healing well from the abdominal surgery, and the pain I’d had there in the early days had lessened into soreness. My head was much better, too, though they’d given Pip and me a long list of things to watch out for since I’d suffered a serious concussion. My leg was the biggest immediate problem. It still hurt, sometimes badly, and they said I’d be on crutches for a long time.

The consensus among the doctors was that I’d make a full recovery, and if I worked hard, I might be able to play again by next fall. That gave me nine-and-a-half months until training camp to get it together. I’d started physical therapy in the hospital, and next week, I’d begin working with specialized therapists and sports trainers, hoping to eventually make my way back to the ice. That promised to be a long haul, becausethere’s a lot of difference between functioning in everyday life and skating in the NHL, but I was determined to do it. I also had to comply with the league’s concussion protocol, but my neurologist and I were already working on that.

Pip came back into the room, and I smiled when he kissed the top of my head. I was tempted to ask if he wanted to get back into the bed he’d set up on the other side of the room so I didn’t have to go upstairs, but I decided to save that idea for the afternoon. It had been months since we had sex, and though I had physical limitations, I was ready to start making up for lost time. We both needed it in so many ways.

“You’re quiet, babe,” he said. “What’s on your mind?”

“Your place is beautiful. Those old trees behind the pool are amazing, even with most of the leaves gone. You can see the branches better, and they look like they’re going in every direction.”

He put his hands on my shoulder. “Ourplace, Sven.Ourhouse.”

My heart danced at the words, but I raised my head so I could see him. “Do you mean that? It’s a huge step.”

“Absolutely.” He knelt beside me and brushed a thumb along my chin. “It’s a step I’m ready for. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, but we should talk first.” He looked uncertain, so I added, “Could we do it now?”

“Sure, but let’s go sit in the living room. There’s a beautiful view from there too.”

I gave him what I hoped was a playful look. “One condition.”

He quirked up one side of his lips. “It’s always a negotiation with you, Holmer. Let’s hear it.”

“Get me some lemonade?”

“You’ve got it, babe. With extra lemon because I remember you like it sour.”

After Pip helped me walk to the living room—I wasn’t steady on my crutches yet—he guided me to a chair by the double windows looking out on White Ash Road. After getting our lemonade, he sat in the chair next to me and asked, “Are you still up to having everyone here tomorrow?”

“Why not?” Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and with the Barracudas on a road trip, several of us had made plans to eat together. Jacob, Drew, Jack, and Levi were coming, and Alex had texted to say she’d fly down too. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“As long as you’re sure. Since they only let me bring you home yesterday, I don’t want you feeling overwhelmed.”

“I don’t think I will. If you remember, there were quite a few people in and out of my hospital room. And everyone’s bringing food, right? It’s not like I’ll need to cook.”

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