Page 58 of Snapping the Ice
“I’m glad you got to have tea with Stella. She seems like a nice lady.”
“She is.” I thought back to our conversation. “She told me PFLAG might help the situation with my mom.” Next time I spoke with Maddy, I’d bring it up. She’d probably never heard of it, though.
“Yeah? I think my parents attended those meetings.” The water stopped. “My mom totally accepted Mason’s status rightaway, but my dad had more of a problem with it. So, she took him there.”
“Oh.” Of course he was familiar with it. “Anyway, I’m going to see if Maddy will broach the subject with Mom.” I flinched as an ache whispered across my heart. If Mom said no, then what? Shit, it would hurt like she’d thrown me out all over again.
“Ezra? Are you okay? You got quiet on me.”
“I’m okay. I just hope Maddy’s not totally off base in thinking my mom wants to mend things.” I strode to the sofa and fell in, propping my elbow on the arm and my forehead in my hand. “It’s hard to have hope after what I’ve been through.”
“I hear you, Ezra. I’m here for you. You can tell me anything, you know?” He inhaled. “I want you to meet my brother and his friends. They’re good people and I’m sure you can lean on them. They’ve been through it too.”
Damn, he wants me to meet his family already? He was serious about us. “Thanks, Lucas. That would be nice.” I dropped my arm and tipped my head back, my gaze landing on the ceiling fan.
“Anyway, I have to go. We’re going over some footage and strategizing about tonight’s game.”
“Okay, I’ll see you when you get home tomorrow.” And I’d have his surprise planned. I straightened and glanced at the kitchen. I should make something for dinner soon.
“Ezra? Stay safe. We’ll work this out.”
“I will, and you win your game tonight.” I smiled. “I’ll be watching.” I was fast becoming a hockey fan, especially when he was on the ice.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. We’ve got this.” He snickered. “I’m coming,” he called out. “Gotta go. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes, see you. Bye.” I hung up the call and sighed.
CHAPTER 13
LUCAS
After watching the footage of the Grizzlies’ last game, we packed onto our charter bus in our suits and headed for the stadium. Sitting next to Crosby, I twisted my phone in my hand.
“Why the hell were you in the bathroom for so long?” Crosby side-eyed me.
“You really want to know?” With a sly grin, I raised my brows. Dating a guy proved to be lots of fun, at least more fun than the girls I’d dated. Ezra was ready and willing for anything.
He narrowed his eyes. “On second thought, no. I’m pretty sure I know the answer to that.” He focused on the front of the bus. “As long as it helps your game, I’m all for it.” He slapped my thigh and quirked a grin.
“I’m sure it will.” I settled into my seat and stuffed my phone into the breast pocket of my jacket. The pregame jitters ran circles in my gut. I just wanted to be on the ice already.
Midway through the second period, we led by one goal. Crosby had the puck and passed it to me. I shuffled down the boards, bracing myself. Glancing at the Grizzly goalie, my body slammed into the boards and I fell on my ass. “Fuck.” I knew it.
Hopping onto my skates, I chased the Grizzly center, toward our goal. The fucker was one of the best in the league and I didn’t want him getting past Gagnon.
The center passed to his winger, skating close to the crease, and Gagnon went down onto his leg pads, his arms spreading wide.
“Not today, fucker!” I threw myself onto the ice, sliding toward the goal on my belly.
The winger shot.
Pain cut through the side of my head, my ears ringing. “Jesus, fuck.” I grabbed my ear and rolled on the ice. The puck hit my helmet.
Play stopped and Gagnon crouched next to me. “Hey, man, you okay?”
“Yeah, I think so.” I blinked a few times, my vision hazing and returning. I rose onto my hands and knees. Where the hell had my stick gone? Don’t have a concussion, don’t have a?—
“Hopkins, let me check you out.” Our trainer, Harrison, came into view, sitting on his legs, his hand planting on my shoulder. He held up his hand with two fingers spread. “How many fingers?”
