Page 99 of Body Check

Following Gavin’s talk with Dakota, he’d called Amelia, letting her know about the ER trip and his choice to stay in Boston, rather than travel with the team. She’d arranged it all, along with appointments for doctors’ visits and testing in the next few weeks.

He’d be lost without her.

“You’re really taking this seriously then,” she said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs.

“You expected me not to?”

She gave him a sheepish look. “I expected you’d talk big about needing to make changes, then go back to your usual workaholic ways in a few weeks.”

He shot her a rueful smile. “Fair enough.”

“I mean, we all do it, right?” she said with a soft laugh. “At the new year, we tell ourselves we’ll get up earlier to work out and meditate and we … we slip into old habits after a while.”

“We do,” Gavin said, because yes, he could be as guilty of that as anyone. “But this is important.”

“It is! I’m glad you’re doing it. Just because youcanmanage both roles doesn’t mean you should.”

“Someone should have told me that years ago,” he teased.

She gave him an unimpressed look. “Someone did. Several someones, in fact.”

“I should have listened to them.” He winked.

“Damn straight! And next time, maybe you’ll at least listen whenItell you something, hmm?”

“I’ll try.”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “Mmm. I’ll believe it when I see it.”

He stepped closer, leaning his hip against his desk. “So, can I tell you something else in confidence?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Of course. You know I’d never breathe a word of anything we discuss here.”

“I’m seeing someone.”

Her face lit up. “That’s fantastic, Gavin! I’m so glad. How’d you meet him?”

“Well,here…”

Her pleased expression drained away. “You’re not dating a player, are you?”

“What? No!” Gavin protested. “And I’m a little offended you think I would even consider it. That’s a huge conflict of interest. I hold their entire futures in my hand.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she said, holding up a hand. “I should know you’d never abuse your power.”

He winced. “Well, maybe reserve judgment because the guydoeswork for the organization, and heissomeone I had a part in hiring.”

“That’swhy you want to step down as president of hockey ops,” she said slowly.

“That and the fact I’m concerned I’ll work myself into an early grave.”

“Yeah, but let’s be honest, you’re way more likely to make a huge change for love than you are for your health,” she said in a philosophical tone.

“Thanks, Amelia,” he said drily.

She leveled him with a look. “Am I wrong?”

“No,” he admitted, sighing. “Though it’s a bit too early to call it love. Honestly, I’m not even sure he’s ready for us to move forward with a serious relationship. But I—this heart thing really did scare the ever-loving shit out of me.”

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