Page 20 of The Sin Bin

"I never said you were a Neanderthal," Lauren protested.

"Not out loud," he countered with a knowing look that made her blush.

"Well, in my defense, you do punch people for a living."

"Only the ones who deserve it," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And only while wearing skates and a team jersey."

"That's a very specific ethical code." She smiled, at ease that they could tease each other.

"I'm a very specific kind of guy," he replied, and the way he looked at her made it clear he wasn't just talking about hockey anymore.

The air between them seemed to charge with possibility, until Taffy meowed loudly, demanding attention.

"I think that's our cue," Lauren said, grateful for the interruption before she did something unprofessional like wonder how Jax's lips would feel against hers. "Bring Penalty by for a follow up in a few days."

"I have a home game on Friday, but I could come in the morning," Jax offered. "Say nine?"

"Nine works," Lauren agreed, busying herself with packing up her medical supplies to hide the inexplicable flutter in her stomach. "I'll update his treatment plan based on his progress."

"I have an extra ticket," Jax said suddenly as they reached the shelter's entrance. "For Friday's game. If you wanted to continue your... professional curiosity."

As they stepped outside, a gust of cold wind caught Lauren by surprise, making her shiver. Without hesitation, Jax moved closer, his body blocking the worst of the wind as they walked toward the parking lot.

"I'd like that," she said, warmed by more than just his physical presence.

Relief flickered across Jax's face, quickly replaced by a casual smile. "Great. I'll leave the ticket at will call. It's a good seat—center ice, ten rows up. Best view in the house."

"Not behind the bench this time?" Lauren asked, thinking of her previous vantage point.

"I figured you might want a better view of the game, not just the back of my head," Jax replied with a self-deprecating shrug.

"The back of your head was... fine," Lauren said, then immediately wanted to sink through the floor. Fine? What kind of response was that?

But Jax's laugh was warm and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should," she replied, pleased to find her composure returning.

As they reached her car, Jax surprised her by opening the driver's side door. The simple, courteous gesture struck Lauren as endearingly old-fashioned.

"Thank you for today," he said, his voice low and sincere. "For giving me a second chance to make a first impression."

"Thank you for being worth the second look," Lauren replied.

As she slid into the driver's seat, Jax closed her door gently, then stood back. Through the window, their eyes met once more, and Lauren felt something shift inside her—a wall beginning to crumble, brick by careful brick.

She started the engine, but instead of pulling away immediately, she rolled down her window. "For the record," she said, "I'm starting to think that behind all those penalty minutes, you might actually be a good guy, Jax Thompson."

His smile was surprised and genuine. "Don't tell anyone. You'll ruin my reputation."

As she drove away, Lauren checked her rearview mirror to find Jax watching her car disappear, his tall figure standing solid against the winter wind, like an anchor in a storm

Chapter Six

Lauren

February 21st– Countdown to Playoffs

"You realize you've watched more hockey in the past two weeks than in your entire life combined," Barb observed, dropping into the seat beside Lauren with a cardboard tray of nachos balanced precariously in one hand.

---