Page 21 of No Pucks

“What?” I ask, caught off guard. “Why would I tell you?”

She scoffs, lifting her chin with an attitude. “At least let me live vicariously through you since I don’t have any time to date.”

“No time or no inclination?” I ask, happy to have the focus off me.

“Both. Have you tried dating recently?”

“It can’t be that bad…” It has been quite a few years since I last tried it.

“It is. Dating apps are the worst. I can’t be assed. Most of the guys on those things just send me dick pics or get sexual three lines in. That’s fine if someone is looking for a hookup, but, like, can we not when it’s clear someone is looking for a relationship.” She lifts her shoulders.

“Is it really that bad?”

“Maybe you should try it.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into the deep end. Plus, if I show I’m interested in men it’s going to be all over the gossip sites, especially with me back in the news coaching the Gods.”

“I didn’t think of that.” She frowns. “What are you going to do with the guy?”

“What should I do?”

“Keep things professional. Set boundaries and don’t let him cross them.”

“That was my plan.” I push Logan’s little fucking challenge out of my head.

“Good. It should be easy then.”

Spoiler: It’s not easy.

SEVEN

LOGAN

“Evander wants to see you before he leaves for school,” Mother says over the phone.

“I saw him last week.” I sigh, knowing putting up a front is futile, that I’ll end up home for dinner. I just really don’t want to go, not after watching her and my father’s “apology tour” all summer. He has been cos-playing the perfect husband for months, and frankly, it’s sickening. I feel bad for my mother, because she’s falling for it hook, line, and sinker. Maybe if this was the first time, it wouldn’t be so egregious, but this is just the first time he has been caught in years. I cannot imagine he has been faithful, not after doing a deep dive into internet gossip. I almost wish I could go back to a time before I read all the things I have about him online. Just hating him for being a prick about my hockey career was enough.

I also don’t want to hear anything more about how he feels about me playing for the Gods. I considered staying in NYC for a long time, but his sideline coaching and affairs were the final straws pushing me to avoid his alma mater.

“He doesn’t want to leave without saying goodbye…”

“I have the team lift, then videos, then practice.” It’s not like managing this is easy. “I don’t have time to get up there,especially with traffic. You know Midtown is a parking lot that time of day.”

“What time is it over?”

“Seven, seven-thirty.” I brace myself, trying to come up with an excuse not to haul my ass forty blocks after practice.

“Why don’t I bring Evander down for lunch? You can spare an hour, can’t you?”

I sigh, because if she’s offering to come to Midtown, she is serious. “Fine. But I only have an hour.” Maybe that will keep her at bay.

“An hour is perfect. You know how nervous Evander is about going back to boarding school. He really needs to see you.” She pauses. “I’ll have my assistant make a reservation and send you the details.”

An hour later,I walk up the block to the restaurant and spot them standing outside. My brother looks like he has been on a benzo binge, dark circles under his eyes, hollowed cheeks. I’ve only been gone a week, and he already looks like this?

My gaze moves to my parents. Dad’s whispering in her ear, and Mother’s giggling. My blood boils.

I hate this for her. I hate that he’s made her like this.

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