Page 27 of Penalty Zone

All-Star, record-holding, shutout king Leo Griffin told me I made a save he wouldn’t have. It’s not malarky. That’s not how Leo operates. I could walk on the clear water of my pond right now. I’m flying.

Mason returns from the treatment room, glancing at me enough that I can tell he wants to say something. “What? I’d ask if I have food on my face, but that’s impossible.”

He chuckles. “Nothing is impossible when it comes to you and food.” His gaze swings around the locker room to ensure no one is listening. “He really helped you today, didn’t he? My dad.”

He’ll know if I lie. “Yeah. I wasn’t ready and…” I trail off because Mason understands my pregame mental prep.

“He knew how to get you in the right headspace.” His shoulders droop.

I nod guiltily. It sucks that they don’t get along. It sucks that Leo gets me. It sucks that I have to pretend I’m not a middle school boy fawning over his crush.

“Don’t feel bad. Him knowing his shit makes it better and worse at the same time. Ya know?” He plops down on the bench, and I sit next to him.

I do know. It validates the reason Leo’s here, but it makes it hard for Mason to accept.

“I’m going to tell him to keep his job.” Mason sits tall and looks me in the eye.

“Don’t do it for me.” I worry that he’ll resent me later.

“There’s no better reason than you. And it’s for me too. It’ll suck answering a thousand questions about a falling-out with my dad.”

“Are you sure?” I hope they can work past Leo’s mistakes.

“Yeah. I’ll text him and ask him to go to dinner. Will you come?” he asks.

Although I’m dying to spend more time with Leo, they need to work through this without me.

“Nah. I’ll come next time.”

Leo is going to be thrilled. My stomach is all fluttery at thinking of spending the season with his praise.

I push the guilt aside and tell myself it’s the best thing for my career. My heart laughs but won’t object.

Later that night, I get a text.

Leo: I hope you’re in bed

Me: All snuggly waiting for you to checkwink emoji

He doesn’t respond, but I hold my phone to my chest all night waiting for the impossible.

Chapter 13

Leo

The Enforcers’ practice arena is quiet before the team gets on the ice. It’s already a familiar routine, and being back with a team gives me a sense of purpose I didn’t have before. Traveling back to Montreal is a chore. I never thought I’d resent my job with the Wolves. I spent my entire career there and pictured myself announcing their games on camera until they deemed me too old, then I’d switch to a front office job.

But the black-and-purple logo is growing on me. That’s not true. I laugh to myself as I sip my coffee and eye the Enforcers’ banners. It’s the people. Ari Dimon is creating a family here. It’s more than a job, and I’m only a consultant. New York has welcomed me, and now that Mason has agreed to rebuild our relationship, it’s home.

“You and the kid are making good progress,” Liska says, helmet tipped back on his head.

“He’s not a kid,” I reply with more venom than necessary.

Liska raises an eyebrow. “No, but Caleb’s still learning.” He doesn’t wait for an answer and skates onto the ice.

He’s right, yet Caleb could start in goal for half the teams in the NHL. Once Caleb figures that out, he might not stay. My chest freezes with the thought. My place is with Mason, and whether his friend stays or goes isn’t my business.

“Ready when you are.” Caleb taps his stick on my calf and skates backward, giving me a wide grin.

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