Page 105 of Body Check

He nodded, because that was fair. Just becausehecouldn’t picture it happening with the Harriers didn’t mean she didn’t have every reason to be cautious.

“I believe,” Gavin said slowly, “the ownership group is more open-minded than you might think. However, if you would like me to speak to them on your behalf—anonymously of course,” he added, “I’d be happy to. Get out in front of it, so to speak. Which is also what I plan to do about my involvement with Dakota.”

“Truthfully, I’m not sure,” she said. “I’ll have to think about that.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “Just know I’m happy to advocate for you, if you’d like.”

“I appreciate that.”

Gavin leaned forward. “And not because you’re Dakota’s sister. I’d have done the same if you’d come to me six months or a yearago and told me. Because it’s important we hire, recruit, and draft people with DEI in mind.”

Not that he was doing so well on the ice. The team was appallingly white. Still, he’d keep working on it.

Violet’s shoulders softened. “Thank you. I do believe that.”

The conversation soon segued into easier topics and Gavin found himself laughing when Violet began gently teasing her brother about his lack of skating skills. “You’re going to have to learn if you’re dating a former hockey player.”

“Pretty sure it’s too late for me. I didn’t play like you did!” Dakota protested.

“Oh, you were a hockey player?” Gavin asked, leaning forward, intrigued.

She nodded. “Yes. I switched to a co-ed soccer team once I began to explore my identity.”

“Ahh, yeah,” Gavin shot her a rueful smile. It was unfortunate, but not surprising. “I can understand that. Hockey isn’t exactly the most welcoming sport to marginalized communities.”

“I did take up playing hockey again in college though,” she said.

“Thankfully!” Jeff said with a grin. “Because that’s how we met! Do you want to hear the story, Gavin?”

He grinned back. “I’d love to.”

“So,” Jeff said, his eyes lighting up, like this was his favorite story to tell. “I was part of the figure skating club at university and Violet played club hockey. They did some joint events throughout the year and the first one I attended was a skills night. The minute I arrived I spotted this stunning woman.”

Jeff glanced at Violet, his whole face soft, so in love it was palpable from across the room. “I used every opportunity I could to try to impress her. I was attempting to show off my jumping skills when I managed to catch my toe pick and trip. I ended up on the ice at her feet.”

“He likes to say heliterallyfell head over heels for me.” The look on Violet’s face said she found it cheesy but the warmth and affection in her voice totally belied the teasing.

“She held out a hand to help me up and I was a goner,” Jeff said. “I knew she was the woman I was going to marry.”

“It took me a little longer,” Violet said. “I had to be sure he was—he was the right guy for me.”

Gavin nodded.

“But here we are. More than a decade and two children later …” She leaned over and kissed Jeff’s cheek.

He glowed, pulling her close, murmuring something in her ear that made her laugh.

A small ache of want pulsed through Gavin.Thatwas the kind of relationship he needed. The mutual affection and years of history together. The respect and support and depth of feeling that had been missing with Rory.

Gavin glanced over at Dakota. He’d hardly call their introduction a meet-cute the way Violet and Jeff’s had been, but Gavin was still happy Dakota had been willing to give him a chance.

“What’s that look for?” Dakota murmured a moment later, leaning in.

“Just glad you invited me to spend the holidays with you,” he said quietly, brushing his thumb across Dakota’s cheek. “It’s the first Christmas I’ve looked forward to in a long time.”

TWENTY-THREE

As they settled in Dakota’s bed later that night, it was a snug fit. The full-size bed was nowhere near as roomy as Gavin’s king, but when Dakota slid in beside him, he had to admit, there were some advantages to the lack of space.

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