Page 125 of Pucking Rebound

I’m curious. “Does the girl of your dreams have a name?”

“Maybe.” He moves to another painting.

“Do I know her?”

“You do.”

“And the person I know is…” I push for a name.

He remains quiet, side eyeing me hesitantly.

“You can trust me, Leon.”

“It’s…” he pauses, then starts again, “Ash’s sister.”

Former defenseman for the Eagles, Ash Johansson is another hockey legend. After retiring from playing hockey, he went on to become the Eagles’ coach. That was, until last year, when he retired to set up a hockey training facility. The coach we have now is great, but Ash was the best.

“Erika?” I bark out louder than I mean to. Leon is playing with fire.

“Yeah. A bit complicated with her being my best friend’s sister and shit.”

“You don’t say.” Sisters, mothers, and ex-girlfriends are off limits. It’s like an unspoken rule.

“Does she know you like her?”

“Sort of.”

“What does that mean?”

He blows out a breath then rolls his shoulders as if the conversation we are having bothers him. “Well, between her brother, who would kill me if I went anywhere near her, and her shitty choice in boyfriends, I’ve always been the guy who picks up the pieces when she gets her heart broken. I’m not just Ash’s best friend, I’m hers too. It sucks to be me,” he says, his voice tight with frustration. His irritation tangible.

“Just friends?”

“We’re just friends, Jordan.”

“Who kiss sometimes?”

He smirks. “A couple of times, nothing more.” Frown lines wrinkle his brow. “She will never be mine.”

Leon could have anyone he wants and yet he wants the one thing he can’t have.

It’s a feeling I know well.

The clip clop of heels ricocheting off the black stained concrete floor that looks shinier than a grand piano alerts us to Piper’s arrival.

“Good morning.” Piper walks across the expansive room, her wide smile lighting up the space. She looks completely different from New Year’s Eve, dressed in a sleek black form-fitting dress and matching heels, with bright orange lipstick that perfectly matches her fiery hair. I can’t help but notice the way Leonadmires the stunning woman Daryl has been boasting about since New Year’s Eve.

Piper holds out her hand and shakes mine confidently, then Leon’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leon. I've heard a lot about you.”

“I hope it’s all been good.” He pushes his shoulders back and smooths down his tie.

She waggles her finger at him. “I won’t lie, not all of it is, Mr. Playboy. So….” She swivels on her feet and holds her hands out as if she’s holding a box. “I think your paintings will look great on this wall. It’s the biggest one we have, which would accommodate your larger paintings and would give them space to breathe. Ten in this room. And the smaller ones through here.” She starts walking into another room, but I appear to be frozen to the spot.

“Wait.” I hold my hands up. “You’re taking my paintings?”

She comes to a halt. “Yes,” she replies confidently.

“Yes? Just like that?”No begging, no negotiations. What the hell?

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