Page 65 of Offside and Off-Limits
“Yeah, man. Total robbery by the zebras,” I agree wholeheartedly, pumping Dan’s hand.
“Zebras?” Clara questions.
Keira raises an index finger. “I know this one. That’s the refs, because they wear black and white striped shirts.”
“Your better half knows her stuff,” I say to Dan, and Keira shrugs.
“You can’t be married to a player-turned-coach without picking up some of the lingo,” she says.
“How are you liking life here in Maple Falls?” Dan asks, and I glance at Clara, whose lips lift into that smile that makes my heart turn to jelly.
“It’s spectacular,” I reply, throwing Clara a wink.
She shakes her head, but she’s still smiling.
Dan’s eyes then dart between us, catching on in a millisecond. “Gotcha.”
“I think what Cade is trying to say is that things are going well for him here, right, Cade?” Clara leads. “You’re enjoying the team and the town, and you’ve got a great place to live.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean,” I say with a grin.
“How did the filming of Cade’s piano playing go?” Keira asks before she takes a sip of her coffee.
“We keep forgetting to do that, right, Cade?” Clara replies, and we share a smile.
“Hannah’s learning piano. Did you know that?” Keira says.
“We spent some time at the keys together last night, actually,” I reply.
Keira’s brows lift. “Did you now?” She darts Clara a look, who quickly lifts her coffee cup to her lips and looks away.
Dan tilts his head at the Drench for Defense sign. “You doing this thing?”
“Sure am. Anything for this town I now call home,” I reply.And anything for Clara. I don’t say it. But I do definitely think it.
Man, I’m in deep with this girl. And I haven’t even kissed her.
I make a mental note to remedy that as soon as possible.
“Speaking of which, you’d better get ready. We’re due to start in ten minutes,” Clara says.
“Catch you later when you’re dripping wet,” Dan says.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I reply as I flash Clara a smile before I make my way into the tent, closing the entrance over.
Quickly, I get changed into my swimming trunks and the T-shirts I had monogrammed withIce Breakers Hockey: Saving Maple Falls One Splash at a Time.
I had a special little nickname added for each of the guys, including for myself, and it’ll be a fun surprise for Clara and everyone else when we don’t waltz out of here in our game gear.
“Mama’s Boy?” Weston asks, holding up his T-shirt with a look of distaste.
I shrug. “What dependable defenseman isn't a mama's boy?”
Weston laughs as he shakes his head before stripping down and throwing on the T.
“See? Totally suits you,” I say. “Right, guys?”
Asher barks out a laugh. “You aresucha mama’s boy, Smith,” he says.
