Page 76 of Forever Wild
“Your body can recover better the more you rest.”
“You’re good at taking care of people.”
“Only when they listen to me.”
Her smile inches higher. “How come you don’t do serious relationships?”
The question takes me by surprise, and I shrug. “I date when it fitsinto my schedule.”
“That is so not romantic.”
“But it’s practical. I don’t have a lot of time or energy for anyone besides the team during the season.”
“Other guys make it work.”
She isn’t wrong, but my job is to make their lives simple so they can do things like that.
“I know you and I are just…whatever, but you’re good at this. You should do it more. The team will be okay. You don’t have to give all of yourself to hockey to be a legend. You can make room for other things.”
My chest tightens at her words. I want to believe she’s right, but letting the guys down is a fear that isn’t so easily wiped away.
I clear my throat. “What about you?”
“I don’t know. It isn’t like I’m opposed to a serious relationship. I’ve seen how good it can be. Tyler and Piper are as in love today as they were when they were teenagers. Ash and Bridget are so perfect for each other it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t together. Declan would do anything for Jade, and Scarlett and Leo make out like they just met. I don’t know…” She trails off. “It makes it hard to sit across from guys who can barely fake interest in getting to know me long enough to finish dinner.”
“I get that.”
“You do?”
“Sure. I can’t deny that relationships like that exist.”
“You just don’t think you’re cut out for it?”
I ignore her question because I don’t know the answer anymore. “There are lots of guys who want to get to know you. Maybe you’re just hanging out with the wrong ones.”
“Like you?”
“I want to know you.” I brush a strand of hair off her flushed skin.
“You already do. Sometimes I think you know what I’ll say or do better than I do.” She yawns but covers it with a hand and then smiles sleepily before she asks, “When you’re done playing hockey, what will you do?”
“I’ll be a grumpy, retired hockey player.”
She giggles. Fuck I love that sound. I shoot her a sly smile.
“It’s the only thing I ever wanted.”
“Really? But you have so many other things. Endorsements, charities, the club. I figured you’d focus on one of those.”
“Maybe. I’m not sure.”
“When I was a kid, I changed my mind about what I wanted to be when I grew up weekly. Even now, half the time I waver between certainty andwhat the hell am I doingwhen I think about a career. That’s not normal, is it?”
“I’m probably not the guy to ask since my career ambitions are singular.”
“Nothing else? Not even a police officer or a firefighter?” she asks as she studies me. “I thought all guys went through a hero phase.”
“Hockey players are heroes.”
