Page 72 of If You Love Me

“It’s the best sex of my life. Then and now.” God, it feels good to tell someone about this. I didn’t realize how heavy it was. “But we can’t do it again. I shouldn’t have allowed it in the first place.”

“Because you’re his coach.”

“Exactly.” My mouth has turned into a desert, so I chug the ginger ale. “You can’t tell anyone, Dred. Especially not Flip. Or the Babe Brigade. If Hammer found out—or Hemi. Or Shilpa. OrTally. Or Rix and Essie.” I bite my lips together. “Shit. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

“Take a breath.” Dred meets my eyes. “I promise this stays between us, and you and Roman.”

“It could ruin my career if people found out.”

“How are you going to handle the rest of the season?” Her tone holds concern.

“We can’t give in again.Ican’t give in again. It would probably be fine for him, but not for me.”

“And of course he understands that.” It’s not a question.

“Absolutely. He knows how hard I worked to get here.” I explain how we met a few years ago and spent the weekend together, and how it ended. “When the season is over and he’s retired, we can pursue this. It’ll still be hard. I’ll still get flak, but then we’re not blatantly breaking rules. He won’t be a player anymore, and I won’t be his coach.”

“And you think you can do that? Stay away from him until June?” Dred asks. “Provided they make the playoffs.”

“Oh, they’ll make the playoffs,” I assure her. “And I have to. There is no other choice.”

CHAPTER 23

ROMAN

“Knock, knock.”

Peggy leans around her computer monitor and a smile curves the corner of mouth as she spots the edible bouquet in my hand. “How did you know I needed cookies today?”

“Hollis might have made an offhand comment about picking up supplies, and I read between the lines.” I set the cookie bouquet on her desk. “How are you feeling? You need these too?” I pull a pack of painkillers from my pocket.

She laughs. “You’re already dad of the year. You don’t need to bring me PMS meds. And besides you, Hollis is the only other man in my life who’s offered to get me supplies.”

“He’s a keeper, then.”

“He is,” she agrees and pushes out of her chair. She wraps her arms around me. “Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

“Thank you for giving me a reason to smile every day.” I squeeze her. “You got time for lunch?”

She glances at the clock. “I have a meeting at two thirty, but that’ll give us plenty of time. I’ll just let Hemi know.” She grabs her purse, coat, scarf, and toque and pops across to Hemi’s office before we head for the elevators. We pass the coaching staff on the way out, and I try my best not to let my gaze linger on Lexi.

Peggy and I make the short walk in the blustery January afternoon to our favorite lunch spot. They serve the best homemade soup and sandwiches.

We settle in at one of the tables by the window after we order. “Are you glad Flip is back on the ice tonight?” Peggy asks.

“Definitely. We’ve beat New Jersey once already this season, so we’re in a good position to do it again. Hopefully he can play the entire game.”

“How’s he been at practice since the talk?” She stresses the wordtalk.

As much as Flip and Connor would love for their secrets to remain in the locker room, all the girls with partners who were there for the come to Jesus talk are now also in the know.

“Good. They’ve both been better. I think they’re equally mortified by their actions.”

The server drops off our soups and sandwiches.

“I’m really glad we both decided on grilled cheese.” She presses her lips together, fighting laughter.

After a moment we both lose the battle and end up in tears over it, garnering looks from several patrons.

---