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“See? Better,” Ford says.
Our team captain is a good teacher. He knows how to push people without discouraging them.
Zane shoots all the pucks, getting the last one airborne. It doesn’t hit the net, but it has power.
“Nice,” I tell him. “That’s a perfect shot. Now, just aim for Sal’s crotch.”
It takes him another five shots to nail Sal, and when he does, everyone cheers. A few guys hung around on the bench to watch.
Zane smiles. It’s an actual smile, teeth and all. I help him off the ice and once we’re back in the locker room, Beau claps him on the back.
“You made that shot faster than some of our rookies do,” he says. “Good job.”
“Thanks.”
I get my wallet from my locker and take out two fifties, passing them to Zane. He gives me a wary look.
“You don’t need to give me that.”
I push them toward him. “You earned it. Rookies get a hundred bucks if they make that shot.”
He makes no move to take the money. “Just take it off my tab. I can’t take it.”
“You’re taking it.” I push the bills into the pocket of his hoodie.
“Thanks.” He looks away awkwardly.
“I’m gonna take a quick shower and then we’ll get some food and I’ll take you home.”
He nods. “I can do something while you’re taking a shower. Fold some towels or something.”
“Nah, just hang out. I won’t be long.”
Ben showers next to me, and after I rinse the soap from my face and open my eyes again, he’s looking at me.
“Is that the single mom’s kid?” he asks in a low tone.
“One of them, yeah.”
“So you’re going there.” His tone is laced with displeasure.
“No, she shot me down.”
He nods. “Smart woman.”
I want to fire back and defend myself. Ben’s happily married, and now he’s high and mighty about what everyone else should and shouldn’t do.
Just because I’ve never been committed to a woman doesn’t mean I’m incapable of it. It just means I never wanted to commit. Not that it matters because I can’t even get Tess to have dinner with me.
I should move on and not ask again, but I picked up on something that day we ice-skated. She said she doesn’t date because she doesn’t trust men. Maybe I can change her mind about me.
Chapter Eight
Tess
* * *
“Hey, Aunt Tess, can you come to the bathroom?”
