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It’s like shaking off my father made room for someone so much better.
I follow the guys out of the weight room, and on the way to the locker room, I stop by the team store. I have a little shopping to do.
57
RAKE
“Oh my God.I already have one of those. You gave it to me, remember? You must really want me to wear it,” Petal laughs. “I know what you’re doing. You’re slowly going to replace all my clothing with stuff that says Aftershocks until I have nothing left to wear.”
“Yup. You got me.”
“You know I’m not much of a fashion girl, but I may not be able to bring myself to wear a hockey shirt, no matter what it says on it.”
I throw the shirt in her direction. “That’s fine. I don’t blame you. Some of the team wives wear them, and some don’t.”
She brings her hand to her mouth in fake-shock. “That’s right, I almost forgot. I’m a ‘team wife.’ I gotta play the role.”
I put my arms around her and reach to give her a light smack on the butt. “The only role you ever need to play is that of Petal Parker, former accountant who now loves her bookstore job. Who, for some crazy reason, married my ass.”
She puts her hands around my waist and looks up at me. “For some crazy reason is right.”
I let go of her and head for the kitchen. Betty always tries to make my favorite before a big game.
“This dinner looks killer.”
“Great, I thought you’d be psyched. She showed me how to finish everything. Look at me, all domestic and shit.”
I kiss her on top of her head as she plates our food. Jesus, it’s nice to have someone looking out for me. Someone who’s not being paid to do it, I should say.
When we finish dinner, I pick the plates up to bring to the kitchen, but Petal stops me.
“Hey, you have your big game tomorrow. Go do your thing. I’ve got this,” she says, taking the plates from me.
“You don’t have to—” I start to say.
“Hey, you’ll pay me back with interest. Don’t think I’m gonna forget all the nice things I do for you.”
She disappears into the kitchen and I head to our bedroom.
Yeah, no more sleeping separately. The guest room is back to being for guests.
After a little late-night TV in bed, I turn over and flick off my nightstand light.
“Mind if I keep reading for a bit?” Petal asks.
I turn to look at her. “Damn. How fast do you read those books?”
She turns her latest romance over in her hands and runs a finger over the cover. “I used to read them super-fast, like a few a week. I’ve slowed down, you know, now that I’m a married woman and all.”
“Good night baby,” I say. “I love you.”
“I know.”
58
RAKE
As soon asI hit the ice, the energy of the crowd fills me and I play like my life depends on it. There is no one but the team, our opponents, and the ice.
