Page 67 of Hot Puck
“Maybe play this season out and see how you feel then.”
“If I can’t get traded, that’s the plan.”
“I wish I could do more. Be more than just a guy you can talk to.”
“You and me both, but getting traded is a given in this job, right? And I know how lucky I was the last eight years. I played for one other team before the Knights, and that was only one season my first year out of college. And Bella wasn’t around then.”
“Would her mom be open to coming down here for visits or does her job make that difficult?”
“I don’t know. I kinda lost it on her when she wouldn’t move here when I suggested it. We haven’t really spoken since.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some apologizing to do.”
“Yeah, I guess I should start with that.”
“Moving back might not be the best thing if you’re fighting with Bella’s mom.”
“Probably. Maybe some time without me there will show her they need me.”
“They?”
“Ah, yeah, I might have a thing for my father’s one-night-stand baby momma.”
I can’t hold in my laughter.
“Yeah, I know, laugh it up. I’d laugh too if I wasn’t living it.”
When I get myself under control I ask, “Does she know you have a thing for her?”
“No. I can’t see how we could be together with the connection we have. And my mother would never speak to me. Then again, that might not be so bad.”
“Are you living in a soap opera?” I grin. “I swear, you’re reading the script for one of those daytime shows.”
“It feels like it. Unfortunately, I have the hots for my sister’s mom.”
“Ah, maybe don’t say it like that. It’s sounds super seedy, like a porno script, when you put it like that.”
For a second Casio looks confused and I’m about to explain it when he says, “Holy fuck! No! That’s not what I mean.”
By the time he finishes talking I’m laughing, and he quickly joins in.
“Oh God.” He chokes on a laugh. “That would really be a fucked-up life.”
“It would. Maybe lead with her being yourhalf-sister’s mom before you tell people you have the hots for her.”
“I don’t know if I’ll tell anyone else. Not sure why I told you.”
“I’ll pretend I never heard it.”
“Thanks. And thanks for listening.”
“Any time.”
“You having a drink with us when we get to the hotel? I heard talk of them opening the bar just for us.”
“Probably. It’s too late to call my sisters.” I spoke to the girls before the game and even though I worry about them, I know they’re in good hands with Pa.
Besides, having a drink will mean a chance to see Gem. Maybe get a few words with her before going back to my room—Baton Rouge—without her.
