Page 37 of Heart Taker

Banning: I got your application, but at three in the morning? Hockey players need sleep LOL.

Silas: Sleep is for other people.

Banning: Congrats, you’ve got the first spot for the camp.

“Oh my God!” I shouted.

Everyone in the shop came running out of their stations, concerned looks on their faces.

“Sorry,” I offered with a wave of my hand. “I, uh, I got accepted to a hockey training camp this summer. I’m a little pumped.”

“Phew. I’ve never heard you yell like that before,” Coulter replied with a grin. “I thought for sure something was wrong.”

I chuckled. “Nope, for once, everything’s right.”

My colleagues headed back to their work, and I typed out a response to Coach’s text.

Silas: Thank you.

Banning: No thanks needed. And you won’t be saying that a month from now when I’m working you hard.

My heart kicked off like crazy. Probably too much caffeine.

Silas: Are you kidding? Anything you can give, I can take.

Fuck, I didn’t mean to writethat.

Delete. Unsend.

Did Damien read that before I unsent it? Holy shit.

Banning: I’ll remember that. Don’t forget our team gathering is next week.

Silas: Wouldn’t miss it. See you then.

“Silas, does training camp mean you’re only available part time this summer?” Hen walked out of her station, snapping on her gloves.

“I can work Tuesdays, Thursdays, plus Friday evenings, and the weekend. Probably a few hours short of full time.”

“That’s means you’re on the go seven days a week.”

“Yeah, but you know I need the income, Hen.”

“It’s not that. You can have all the hours you need. I worry about you, that’s all.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’m good. I can handle it.”

“All right.” She paused when she spotted the phone in my hand. “Is hockey the only reason you’re smiling like that?”

“Of course,” I replied quickly. “There’s nothing else.”

My pounding heart told me I was a liar…

“It’s not someone you’re hung up on?” she teased.

“Me? No. No way. Of course not.” I scoffed and put my phone in my back pocket. “Pfft. Never.”

“The longer you talk, the more I don’t believe you. But that’s okay, we all have secret crushes at some point.”

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