Page 136 of The Pucking Arrangement

Liar.

Then she’s gone, leaving me alone with Erin for the first time all day.

The air crackles.

“Hi,” she says softly, shifting slightly, her weight swaying in a way that has no right to be distracting. “I, um…” She tugs at that ruinous sweater again. “My things are packed. I was thinking I’d head out soon, let you all have some family time?—”

The words hit me like a crosscheck to the ribs.

“You want to leavetonight?”

“Yeah, I mean…” She glances at the floor, not quite meeting my eyes. “Galina’s here now, and you guys probably want to?—”

“Stay for dinner.” It comes out desperate.

She blinks, mouth parting slightly. Closes it again.

“You are planning to leave tonight?” Galina’s voice cuts through the tension as she reappears in the doorway like she’s been waiting for this exact moment. “Oh no,devochka, that won’t do at all.”

Erin startles. “I don’t want to impose?—”

“Impose?” Galina waves this away like she’s swatting a particularly irritating mosquito. “You must stay. At least a few days. I’d be incredibly grateful. I don’t know Ris’s routines. She’s in a new school this year.” She turns to me, eyes twinkling. “And Dima leaves Monday morning, yes? After drop-off?”

I nod, hardly daring to breathe.

“Well then,” Galina’s tone brooks no argument, “I hope you’ll stay and show me how things work around here. The morning schedules, introduce me to Ris’s friends’ moms…” She pauses just long enough to make me sweat. “Unless you have to go to the city?”

“I…” Erin’s eyes flick to mine, then away again, her fingers tightening around the hem of that damn sweater. “No, I guess I can stay a few more days.”

“Perfect!” Galina claps her hands.

“Found my shoes!” Ris thunders back downstairs, brandishing mismatched sneakers like a trophy. “Can Erin come too?”

“Oh, I was hoping it would be just you and me, Risochka,” Galina says smoothly, already shepherding her toward the door. “Some quality time with your grandmother.” But just before she steps out, she turns, catches my eye?—

And winks.

My mother-in-law, the wingman.

She gave me a few more days with Erin.

It’s not much. But it’s something.

I owe her at least ten pints of ice cream for this one.

Chapter28

Ice and Fire

Dmitri

The Wells Fargo Center vibrates with playoff hatred. A sea of orange and black, screaming for blood.

My blood.

I barely hear it.

Two losses at home. Down 0-2 in the series. Tonight is do or die. My muscles are coiled tight, my pulse a steady, heavy thud in my ears. I roll my shoulders, feeling the weight of my gear settle into place. Every inch of me is primed for battle.

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