Page 49 of The Sin Bin

"You're early," she said, her smile easing his nerves instantly.

"Couldn't wait," Jax admitted, holding out the flowers with what he hoped wasn't obvious awkwardness. "These made me think of you."

Lauren accepted the bouquet, genuine pleasure warming her expression as she brushed her fingers over the colorful wildflowers. "They're beautiful," she said. "How thoughtful."

"I also brought sustenance," he added, lifting the paper bag. "Nothing fancy, just sandwiches from Mancini's. I figured you might not have eaten."

"You figured correctly," Lauren confirmed, leading him toward the elevator. "I went straight from the clinic to the arena. Dinner was a protein bar from the vending machine."

"I was surprised to see you at the arena," he said. "Good surprised," he added quickly.

"It was unexpected," Lauren agreed. "But when Officer Daniels mentioned they were short on security dogs, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for the shelter's service program." She glanced at him curiously. "Kane surprised me by wanting the team to meet the dogs."

Jax felt a flash of self-consciousness. "When we were discussing Oliver's anxiety management, I mentioned how animals can help with stress regulation. I think it was just perfect timing. We were thinking about getting Chenny a dog. Maybe Charlie."

"That would be great," Lauren said. "If Coach Vicky allows Charlie to travel with the team."

"As long as he stays away from her shoes."

"I'll put these in water," Lauren said, taking the flowers to the kitchen while Jax set the food on the dining table. "How was the road trip?"

"Two wins, one loss," Jax replied, unpacking the sandwiches. "Detroit's always tough, especially with their goalie on a hot streak. But we managed to take four points out of a possible six, which keeps us in playoff position."

Lauren nodded, retrieving plates from a cabinet. "The pressure of the playoff push seems to be affecting everyone."

"It is," Jax acknowledged, accepting the bottle of water she offered. "The dogs helped."

"Yeah, they did. It's tough with Liam out. Sven's doing his best, but he doesn't have Liam's experience. The team's having to adjust its entire playing style to compensate."

"Including you?" Lauren asked perceptively.

Jax nodded, settling into a chair at her small dining table. "My minutes are up. Coach has me playing a more defensive role, less of the traditional enforcer position."

"How does that feel?"

"Challenging," Jax admitted. "Good challenging, mostly. It's different using my size strategically rather than intimidatingly, if that makes sense."

"It does," Lauren said, taking the seat across from him. "It's like the difference between a guard dog that barks at everything versus one that's trained to respond only to genuine threats."

The analogy made Jax smile. "Always with the animal comparisons."

"Occupational hazard," she replied with a matching smile. "Besides, they're often apt." She unwrapped her sandwich, the conversation pausing briefly as they both took their first bites.

"So," Jax said after a moment, "service dogs at hockey games. Think it could become a regular thing?"

Lauren's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "The security supervisor seemed interested in establishing an ongoing partnership. It would be incredible for the shelter program—the exposure, the training opportunities, the potential for adoptions. More dogs in the public eye. What's not to love?"

"Not to mention the players who clearly benefited from the interaction," Jax observed. "I've never seen Ethan that calm after a game. Usually, he's bouncing off the walls."

"Animals have that effect," Lauren agreed. "They don't care about your stats or your contract value. They just respond to how you treat them in the moment."

"Like Penalty," Jax said, thinking of the kitten who now greeted him at the door each evening, neither knowing nor caring about his performance on the ice.

"Exactly like Penalty," Lauren agreed warmly. "How is our patient, by the way? When he's not destroying expensive shoes."

"He's getting more adventurous. Tried to climb the bookshelf yesterday. Nearly gave me a heart attack."

Lauren laughed, the sound warming Jax from the inside out. "That's actually a good sign. It means he's gaining confidence in the leg. Just make sure he doesn't overdo it."

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