Page 12 of Slap Shot at a Second Chance

“You really showed me how rusty I’ve been lately,” Andy said softly as he threw his hand over my shoulder and we skated out of the rink together. “I think I’m gonna start staying behind with the captain from now on.”

“Practice is always good, I think I’ll join him too.” I nodded and he chuckled as he unwrapped his arm and walked into the changing room.

“Says the naturally talented kid, but the more the merrier.” He lifted his hands and I shook my head as I sat down in front of my locker and started removing my clothes.

Even though I was doing it for the pictures, and because I desperately wanted to look good for Avery, I actually kind of had fun.

It felt exhilarating to make them all sweat like that. When was the last time I also actually worked up a sweat during practice?Fuck, it felt too good.

After my shower, where I spent most of the time sulking about how Avery didn’t see me and how she wasn’t there to take pictures of us—ofme—I joined Brian and we walked together to the underground garage where we had parked.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye, not because I wanted to check him out or his tattoos, I had done enough of that in the past years, but because I wanted to check what kind of mood he was in.Did he look Avery conversation ready?

“You want to hang out tomorrow after the meeting?” he asked, surprising me. My eyes widened and he turned to face me as he opened his trunk. “What? You were the one staring at me without saying anything.”

“Oh,” I whispered and he tilted his head to the side. “We have a game on Saturday though.”

“I know.” He nodded and I couldn’t help but nod along with him. I was so fucking nervous!SHIT.“So you’re in?”

“Yeah.” I swallowed, maybe spending some time with Brian would help me know everything I wanted to about Avery, andthat waseverything. “Why didn’t Avery come to work?” I looked away from him because I couldn’t bear seeing his reaction.

I was scared.

“She took some time off,” he answered and I stopped rummaging through my bag, trying to seem uninterested. My head snapped to stare at him as the words left my mouth.

“Why? Is she sick?”

His brows furrowed and he folded his arms across his chest.

“Why are you asking?” he asked, and I could see how suspicious he was.

“Uhm—“ I gulped as I thought if I should just break it to him and tell him the truth.

“Look man, I like your sister and I want to be in her life. Do you have a problem with that?”That sounded fucking ridiculous and I probably would leave the building in a body bag and Brian would be arrested, or I would leave in a suitcase and no one would know what happened to me. Brian seemed capable of both and I couldn’t risk it just yet.

Not yet.

“She asked me to help her with the brands, and I got it for her. So I was hoping to get the information to her before her deadline,” I answered as I raised the USB and he stared at it for a second before he nodded.

Thank God I had this on me! Even though this USB has absolutely nothing to do with Avery.

“Okay, I’ll text you her address. And if you could just take this booster seat over to her place I would really appreciate it.” Heopened the back door of his car and I opened mine as well as I registered everything.

Booster seat? Huh?

“Cool, no problem,” I spoke softly and he smiled as he secured it in my car.

“Thanks, man. See you tomorrow for the strategy meeting.” He smiled as he got into his car and I waved as I watched him drive away.

Maybe she lived with their cousin who had a child?

I got into my car and checked my phone before driving off. I locked in her address into my GPS and saw it was close to his parents’ place and work.How convenient.I drove over to her place, and as I sat outside her building, trying to build up confidence before walking into her apartment and spewing bullshit, I decided to practice.

“Hi, Avery!” Kiss her cheeks and wrap your arms around her, just to make sure she’s really in front of you. Then, push her slightly away and take her in.Does she have dark circles under her eyes? Touch her forehead to check her temperature and make sure she isn’t burning like a furnace. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you come to work? I missed you! My God! I was so worried about you.”

No, that was weird, that was terrifying and definitely the shit I wanted to avoid. Man, I had always been good with the ladies but something about Avery made me nervous as shit and it seemed as if she weren’t the only one who could make me feel that way. Brian at times scared the shit out of me and I knew him best, but fuck, the man was unpredictable!

“Hey Avery, I brought you that information you requested,”I said in a deep voice, then winced as I pressed my face on my steering wheel.

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