Page 58 of The Import Slot
We finish getting ready in silence, the room full of tension, which Coach notices as soon as he strolls back in.
“For fuck’s sake, is everyone upset about the skate? I know it’s a hassle, but we need all the help we can get against this bunch of meatheads.”
The guys grunt, but we follow Coach out and step onto the ice.
Danny is eyeing me from the blue line, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was jealous. I think it’s because whatever he and Becca are doing is still under wraps, whereas Jen and I, are not exactly keeping our ‘friendship’ a secret.
Jen told me Becca has been in a lousy mood and is hardly talking, and I can see Danny is looking for a fight. He’s mentioned nothing about my reputation before, not that mine is terrible, to be honest. Then it clicks. There’re hundreds of photos of me online, some of Liam, but some girls will tag either of us, not giving a shit.
Fuck.
I’m about to skate to Danny, but Coach rounds us up for some drills. We don’t do a lot because we’re short on time, but by the time we leave the ice and head back to the dressing room, everyone seems more relaxed.
“Can we talk, please?” I ask Danny.
He nods, and we hang back, joining the end of the line.
“Look, I’m not sure if you’ve seen stuff online, I can only assume you have since you consider me to have a reputation, but it’s part of the gig that I can’t do anything about,” I say. “I’m not a player, Dan. You need to trust me.”
“Shit, really?” Danny says.
“Yeah, and Liam doesn’t help matters. He won’t bother correcting someone if they think he’s me. At least not before, anyway. He probably does now, but when he first split up with his girlfriend, he was reckless. It’s been difficult to shake, but the league got involved when it hit my professional reputation and he saw sense. It’s been a nightmare,” I say. “I haven’t thought about it in a while, and I don’t even think I’ve mentioned it to Jen, not to the full extent, anyway.”
“I’m sorry, mate. Surely that may affect if he gets called up or not? They don’t like stuff like that, even I know that,” he says, slapping my shoulder. Shit, I didn’t even think of that. He could be chasing an unreachable dream here. “All this aside, I don’t want Jen to get hurt. Nathan knocked her confidence, always commenting on her weight and telling her she was stupid.”
I stop in my tracks.
“What?”
“Shit. I don’t think I should have said that,” he says. It doesn’t make any sense, though, as she’s fucking beautiful, perfect even.
“Please don’t tell her I mentioned it,” Danny says.
“Well, I can’t promise that,” I say. “But I need to speak to her. We need to figure out what the fuck we’re doing because I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t promise I’ll be sticking around come the off season.”
“I know, mate. I know.”
We’re back in the dressing room now, and we strip down. Danny’s phone rings, and he answers it in a hushed tone. I recheck my phone and see that Jen has texted me.
Jen:Becca had me driving, and my phone died. I’ve charged it now. I’ve missed you today. Hope you’re ok.
Ryan:I’ve missed you too. When will I see you next?
Jen:At the game, silly. We’re here now.
Shit, I know this. I’m hoping I can get changed fast and see her. I shower and dress in sweats and a team t-shirt before throwing on a baseball cap. Then I grab my phone and call her.
“Hey, can you meet me out back?” I say.
“How do I even get there?” she asks.
I give her rough directions to the back entrance and when she rounds the corner, I hang up and jog toward her.
She looks hot. She looks gorgeous. No jersey today, but she’s wearing jeans that give her the best-looking ass and a fitted hoodie that gives me satisfaction now I know what’s underneath.
“No jersey today?” I say, and I can’t help myself. I grab her into a hug and kiss her neck, inhaling her beautiful smell.
“It’s in your car still.” She’s giggling. My beard must be tickling her neck.
