Page 48 of Hockey Halloween
The dean levels a look at both of us. “I imagine your hockey players have seen people hug before. I highly doubt they were scandalized.”
“Then what’s the meeting about?” I ask.
The dean sighs. “The captain of the baseball team was arrested on reckless driving charges early this morning. When the officers searched his car, they found two stolen goats, presumably from Coleridge University.”
I reach up on my tiptoes to give Josh a quick kiss on the cheek before I settle into the chair across from Dean Mercer. I pull out my phone and tablet. “Have the goats been returned?”
“Unfortunately, they escaped from police custody.”
Of course they did. I hear Josh chuckle as he exits the room. Anhour later, as I’m looking at satellite maps and doorbell camera footage, I get a message from Josh.
Josh:Reese and I are making a special dinner for you tonight. And if you have to work late due to goat emergencies, we’ll heat it up when you get home.
Home. I like the sound of that.
Josh
“We’re not flying the team to Los Angeles,” I repeat for what feels like the hundredth time.
Ollie nods, folding his hands. “So, what you’re saying is, you like Booker more than Will.”
Next to me, Coach Van laughs, and Coach Baylor holds back a smile. “I’m not saying that at all,” I tell our team captain. “Come on, guys, back me up. They were both great players. We don’t pick favorites.”
“And yet,” Ollie counters, “we took a team trip to Vegas to watch Booker’s first pro game. And it was an exhibition game. But we can’t fly out to see Will? He’s on fire right now.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Will’s game is tomorrow night. In L.A. And we play in Maine a day later. So, the answer is no. Also, this isn’t elementary school. We don’t take field trips.”
“Fine,” Ollie grumbles. “It was worth a shot. Besides, I figure you owe me one, seeing as I’m pretty much the reason you and Ms. Grim are dating.”
Now I’m the one laughing, even though I can tell by the look on his face that Jablonski is one hundred percent serious.
Van shakes his head. “Olls, I love you, man, but how can you take credit for Coach Novotny’s love life?”
I’m curious, too. And I just realized Ollie’s a blond. There’s no way he saw Val and me that day in my office, right?
“I’m on the charity committee with Ms. Grim. I play for Coach Novotny. Obviously, they had to talk to each other about how amazing I am. And then, instant sparks. So, you’re welcome. Now, Will’s team plays in Kansas next week. Who feels like barbeque?”
Between our jobs at the university and taking care of a precocious five-year-old, our lives are never boring. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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About the Author
Andi Burns writes contemporary and new adult romance infused with humor, sass, and steam. She loves a happily-ever-after as much as her characters do, and she always reads the last page of a book first, just to make sure it all turns out okay. Andi lives in Pennsylvania with her two daughters and two cats. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, folding laundry, or daydreaming about her next book.
Connect with Andi at https://www.facebook.com/andi.burns.7330 and https://www.instagram.com/authorandiburns/ or at andiburns.com
Penalty Kill (Bainbridge Hockey, #2 – Beckett Vandaele)
Brick Wall (Bainbridge Hockey, #3 – JT Norris)
Trick Shot (Bainbridge Hockey, #4-Pete Santos)
One-Timer: A BU Hockey Holiday Short (Ryan Roscowitz)
Bainbridge Hockey Shorts
Sin Bin (BU Hockey, Season 2, #1- Ollie Jablonski)
