Page 20 of Heart of Ice

“Yes, I told you I was going to. Does that surprise you?” I asked. He was so nervous, and I didn’t want to make it worse for him, but I’d always be honest with him.

“What did he say?” he asked and shuffled around again.

“He said it’s not a problem unless it affects our jobs or the team.”

His eyes bounced back and forth between mine as I waited for his reaction. “Are you sure?” he finally asked. I nodded. He was in my arms far quicker than I would have thought was possible with all that gear. “So, we can see each other tonight?”

“If that’s what you want,” I whispered.

“I want. I want so much.” He held me tighter for a moment more. I wanted to kiss him so bad I could imagine my lips on his, but now we had boundaries, and he was worth following the rules.

Eighteen

Max

“We should get backout there before Coach comes looking for us,” Ruben said, and I nodded in agreement.

“Can I go to your house later?” I asked, because this wasn’t over yet. We’d need to talk and figure out exactly what we were doing. I really liked Ruben, but I wasn’t destroying my career for anyone.

“Yes, I know you’ll want to talk more about this,” he said just before we were going to step on the ice.

I glanced at him and Coach before pulling my helmet on and grabbing my stick from where I’d left it in the box. There was so much more we needed to figure out, but right now I had drills.

“Get your ass over here, rookie,” Dexter said and slapped a puck at me, which I stopped with my stick and tapped back over to him. “We need to practice your blocking. Not that either of you need more help, but we’re playing a team in a few weeks that loves to take out the goalie. Vanel, I know you think you can handle it but believe me when I say they’re relentless.”

“Is it the Terrors?” Vanel asked as he blocked a shot Dexter had smacked his way.

“No, the Storm. They’ve been targeting goalies this year. I have no clue why, but one guy didn’t return from the injury. And it wasn’t like me where he moved to staff,” Dexter said. “Just make sure you’re ready for them when we play them.”

“Will do, Coach,” I said, making the two of them laugh. “I still can’t get used to that.”

“Yeah, well you’ll get used to it after doing an extra hour of drills,” he said, and proceeded to make us work harder than we ever had before.

When practice was finally over, I was skating to the exit when Coach got my attention. “Hofstedder, a word,” he yelled and walked toward his office. I forced myself not to glance at Ruben and followed down the hallway.

“Coach? Is everything okay?” I wasn’t sure what to expect. Ruben had said everything was okay but then I worried maybe I was being cut.

“Sit down, kid. As you know, Doc and I spoke earlier and he asked if it was okay for the two of you to be—well you know, and I don’t need details. I’ll tell you what I told him. I don’t care what you do outside the arena, but if I get a whiff of drama, you’ll both be gone. Understand?” He held my gaze as he made sure I knew exactly what he was saying and leaving nothing to chance.

“I understand—yes, Coach.”

“Good. Now get out of here. I’m sure you two need to have a talk to lay down some ground rules so make sure you do that,” Coach said before he started shuffling through the papers that were always piled on his desk.

“Thank you,” I said before hurrying as much as I could out the door and into the locker room.

“Practice tomorrow at eight am. Do not be late,” Dexter yelled over the clatter of equipment and conversations. “Got it?” he yelled again when everyone ignored him.

“Got it!” most of the team yelled back.

“No going out tonight,” Griffin grumbled.

“It won’t kill you to stay home and get a good night’s rest,” I said to him.

“That goes for you too,” he said like I was the one who went out at every opportunity.

“Hey, I’m planning a night on the couch followed by a trip to dreamland,” I said, making him laugh.

“Well, have fun with that,” he said and slammed his locker door before walking out of the room.

---