Page 4 of Body Check

Maybe it’ll be different with my own kids. Harper didn’t want them, and I was ambivalent, so we never tried. Guess that’s a good thing with the way everything worked out. For now, I have to give hockey and the team my focus. I don’t have any space for anyone else.

“Morning, McKittrick,” Coach Turner says as I enter the players’ lounge. He’s pouring coffee into a thermos. “Rest well?”

My laugh is as bitter as the black coffee he’s drinking. “Not exactly.”

We got home from the airport in shortly before dawn, but even though I slept hard, I’m not rested. Not after realizing my mysterious temptress has a family of her own.

He frowns. “Your knee still giving you trouble?”

“I’m fine.” Last season, I had some twinges in my knee after a bad hit, but with a few injections and some physical therapy, I played the rest of the season.

The doctor cleared me at my pre-season physical. I’m in tip-top shape.

Coach sighs. “If something’s up, I’d rather get it straightened out now, before we start the full campaign. Swing by Derek’s. He’ll sort you out.”

He’s the team’s athletic trainer. We’re very well acquainted with one another.

“Yes, Coach.”

It’s not a request, it’s an order, and I recognize it.

Two guys come barreling into the lounge. Al Gonzales, better known as Gonzo, is a burly bear with a heart of gold. His sister hangs out with the team a lot, and I’ve heard her refer to him as a golden retriever, whatever that means. I guess he is kind of dopey, like a dog. And a damn good hockey player, too.

Beside him is Ryan Logan, a defenseman who gives off major don’t fuck with me vibes. Off the ice, he’s sweet as a kitten; when there’s a skirmish on the ice, he’s not afraid to use his claws. He’s generally a decent guy. Quiet. Keeps to himself.

Walking sedately behind the two idiots is Aidan MacGregor, one of my alternate captains. He’s also the center on my line. His face is permanently set into a scowl. The only things that can bring a smile to his face are his sister, Hailey, or video games.

He’s the type of nerd who brings a gaming console on the road, but he always invites the other guys to play with him, so it’s not like he’s completely anti-social. He’s not into the bar scene, which I can respect. We have enough difficulty with other players getting into their cups the night before a game, but I’ve never had to worry about MacGregor overindulging.

Logan gives me a nod as he grabs a bottle of water from the drinks fridge. We have a separate fridge for snacks and another for ready-made meals we can heat and eat. And that doesn’t include the catering trays the chef whips up on the regular. The Grizzlies work hard to take good care of us, making sure our every need is met.

All they ask is that we win some hockey games. Maybe bring home the Stanley Cup. Totally doable, right?