Page 33 of Playoff
"I keep my things tidy. Finding your stuff lying around will be a problem. In your room, do whatever you want, but pick up in the shared spaces."
That was easy enough. "I don’t like mess either."
He nodded. "I cook."
"Sounds good. I can cook, but I don't love it. I’ll clean up if you make meals. I've always had someone come in to clean the place weekly."
He smirked. "I've asked around for recommendations."
I moved my glass. "I won't bring people home for parties, because I don’t do that during the season anymore. I take my conditioning seriously. But I’m not a monk. Is it a problem if I bring women back?"
Naked Jess popped into my head and I had to shut that down fast. She was one person I’d never be bringing over.
He narrowed his eyes. "How noisy are you?"
"I can use headphones for music and watching movies— Oh, you mean when I've got someone with me?"
He sighed. "Ducky and Katie—cute couple but they were loud."
Ducky was young, and the two of them probably were going at it like rabbits. I bit back a grin. "I'll keep the noise down."
"I'll do the same."
Interesting. "So you and Rowena—totally done?"
His smile vanished. "Edmonton was the nail in that coffin. I wanted a chance at the Cup, which is why I signed with Edmonton. She said she'd give it a try, but she hated it. Went back to LA, because she cared more for the place than for me."
"That sucks."
"It does."
"But you're back out there now, dating-wise?"
"Nothing serious until I'm done with hockey. It'll be easier."
"Totally agree with you on that." At least the nothing serious until I was done with hockey part. I had no plans for after. I’d have to deal with that problem sometime, but hopefully as far in the future as possible.
He offered to carpool till I'd found wheels, which sounded good. Living where we didn’t get snow, I'd always had sports cars, but the road conditions here were not conducive for my baby back in LA and the thought of what the road salt would do to her was horrifying. We were heading out on a road trip to Florida next, but after that it was time to car shop.
We agreed to order food from a grocery that delivered and split the costs. So far, Fitch sounded like a decent roommate, and I’d get my stuff sent up as soon as possible. I could and would buy new clothes for the climate, but I wanted my pictures, my games, my bedding and towels. I wanted a place to feel like mine again, even if it was just the bedroom.
He passed me a copy of the keys. I’d seen pictures of the condo, and I wasn’t fussing over the decor. It was only for the rest of this season and then I’d see where I got signed for next year. It was unlikely to be Toronto.
Ducky was only twenty-four, and my bet was that he’d recover and be playing again next fall. The Blaze didn’t have space for both of us. I was a playoff rental, so I wasn’t putting down roots. No roots, no relationships, no weight to tie me down.
Chapter 15
People had some weird stuff
Jess
* * *
Another long day. One of the partners at the office was pushing a new investment, but the risks were high so I wasn’t recommending it to my clients. However, I wouldn’t tell anyone at work that.
Once I was home, and Justin and I had finished dinner, I looked for flights online. After talking to Mom, I felt like I needed to see Grandma, and I could use a break as well. Finding out Denny was living in our building? Made my anxiety spike. I kept expecting to see him in the elevator. Why I sometimes felt disappointed when I didn’t was something I preferred not to contemplate.
Justin and the team were going on a six-day road trip, so I’d booked a few days off work. I didn’t have any in-person meetings and could handle clients remotely. The team would have better weather down in Florida and the Carolinas than I’d experience in Vancouver, but while Justin was traveling, I didn’t feel responsible for him. I was hoping a chat with Mom and Dad would convince them to stop bombarding us with questions about Denny and whether we’d had a chance to talk with him about his parents and what they’d done with the family money.
