Page 21 of SlapShot Sweetheart

Aimee was leaning toward him, looking at him.

Really looking at him.

“Your… tooth,” she began, almost hesitating. “The eye that day, the split lip… is that why you have a bruise on your chin? I noticed the greenish spot but didn’t want to say anything.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Oh gosh… and this is normal?”

“The other guy looked worse. It’s ‘ockey.”

“But your poor face…” she whispered, staring at him, and he felt something changing slightly between them as she raised her hand, her fingers about to touch his eyebrow where he’d had his stitches removed two days ago. Was she going to stroke his brow, touch his cheek, was she about to kiss him?

Oh, please, yes…

Only to feel her push his forehead slightly in a playful motion as she chuckled.

“You need to get meaner on the ice then, Theo,” she chided, leaning back into her seat once more and giving him a sideways look. “Play dirty, fight harder, so you don’t get hit - and wear a better mask. You can’t afford to mess up your face much more,” she ordered, but there was something in her voice that wasdifferent, something that said she was concerned about him as her eyes met his. “If you had to go on a blind date with me, then you’re already having problems finding ‘The One.’ You don’t want to ruin your chances, now do you?”

“Mais non…”he breathed, stunned and staring at her profile as she turned away.

“Focus, and maybe you can learn something. These twerps in blue play awfully dirty and seem to get away with it,” she casually tossed out and hesitated. “Do you want a beer?”

Oh gosh, I’m in love…

Theo swallowed, nodding, completely unable to speak at that moment as she got up from the couch and padded silently toward the kitchen, his name all over her shoulder blades and his number on her back.

I’m gonna marry that woman someday.

Two hours later, Theo was having the best time of his life. They were both yelling at the television like it was something they had always done. Aimee was waving her hand and pointing at the screen angrily. Éclair and Donut were rolling around on the carpet like a couple of furry wrestlers, playfully hissing and batting at each other. Theo was on the edge of his seat, coaching and giving a commentary on each play as they watched it.

“Look at ‘im… that guy is a monster to play against. It’s like ‘itting a brick wall, but I don’t care,” he bragged. “The bigger they are…”

“The harder they fall!” Aimee chimed in, grinning. “Put your skate in a ‘T’ fashion with his and trip the big lummox…”

“Aimee!”

“What?! I saw number twelve do that earlier, and the ref missed it completely. Bounced the other guy’s head right off the ice.”

“So bloodthirsty...” he whispered, grinning. “I love it.”

“Oh hush, you twit. It’s a violent game.”

“I know, but…”

“Theo, it’s a game, and you can’t help but get wrapped up into it.”

“Want to see it in person?”

“With you? Like a date?”

He paused for a moment, wanting to jump at the words ‘like a date’ but knew she would shoot him down. His prickly girl still needed to warm up to him.

“No,” he choked out barely. “No date. Do you want to see the behind-the-scenes stuff and see a game in person? You could meet my team, have seats close to the ice and the penalty box or…”

“Really?”

That single word interrupted him, and the excitement in her voice made his heart turn over in his chest as he realized she would come to see him play. His dark eyes met her bright blue ones, and he bit his cheek to keep from saying something he shouldn’t as he stared at her.

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