Page 80 of Dr. Bad Boy

Gage gives me a sticker for a job well done, and I give him a fist bump. He makes Sponge Bob squeak, then slumps back against his pillow.

“Get some rest, buddy,” I say, and his mom takes my place at his side once he’s all tucked in.

“I know I should be better with those,” the resident mumbles as he chases me down the hall back to the break room.

I sigh. “Paeds isn’t for everyone.”

And so it goes, all night long. I stay at the hospital, sleeping in the call room, and after morning rounds, I head straight to the rink. There’s some open ice time before our game, and I get my gear on.

I’m on the ice as soon as the Zamboni clears it, and so are a few other skaters. One guy from our team, Oliver, who I don’t know that well but he’s a friend of Lachlan’s, which makes him a friend of mine. We bump gloves and agree to do some delayed passing drills. When the ice gets a bit busier, we split up and I practice some basic read and react stuff, shadowing another skater from the far side of the ice, imagining he’s right in front of me and what I would do if he was.

At the end of the free skate, we get off the ice so it can be cleared again, and find the rest of our team waiting for us. Gavin’s shown up today, so we’ve got some extra security—and a crowd.

Ellie’s on her own, two RCMP officers sitting behind her. On the far side of the stands is a group of other fans. Some women, but also some kids, and Gavin heads over there to take selfies with them.

I head over to his fiancée, who looks up from her tablet as I approach. “How’s it going?”

“Good.”

“Haven’t seen you at the last few games.”

I wink at her. “I’ve been busy.”

“How’s Violet?” she teases, and I can’t hide my reaction.

I lean on my stick and return her grin. “She’s pretty awesome.”

“You should invite her out sometime. I’d like company who isn’t interested in jumping Gavin’s bones.”

“She’s…not big on public things. But I’ll mention the offer.”

She frowns. “Do you think she might not want me to contact her? Now that mid-terms are done and I’m out from under the mountain of exam grading that was on my desk, I was going to see if she wanted to get coffee.”

Coffee with Ellie would have nothing to do with me. I nod. “That would be fine. We’re just keeping the relationship stuff on the D-L. But coffee’s cool. Do that.”

The ref blows his whistle and Ellie gives me a quick wave goodbye before saying, “I will.”

I make my way back to the team, pumped up. I should be exhausted after the night I had, but I’m not. I’m thinking about Violet maybe sitting in the stands at some point, watching me play. Bringing her work and sitting next to Ellie. The two of them finding a friendship, maybe.

Aside from the fact that she’s my lawyer and won’t be seen in public with me—surely obstacles that can be overcome—I think Violet might be my girlfriend.

And I fucking like it.

Istopand pick up flowers after the game, then I text Violet. She’s at home, and yes, sure, I can stop by.

V: My neighbour’s here, though. I can kick him out.

M: Or I could meet him.

V: Or I could kick him out.

M: Up to you.

When I get there, she buzzes me up. Her apartment is empty. I’m strangely disappointed.

But that fades quickly when she sees the flowers and her eyes go all warm, and she wraps her arms around my neck. “Are those for me?”

“They are indeed.” I pull her close, swinging the bouquet behind her. I love the feel of her in my arms. The warmth of her smile as I lower my face and brush my lips against hers.

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