Page 57 of Center Ice

Reese came closer, and she went to him. That woman was a miracle worker. One day, I’d find a way to properly thank her for changing my life.

“Hey, Jake!” Lance called from where a group had formed around Dani. “We decided the perfect initiation is a trip to the Pie. Sound good?”

I nodded. Just like that, not only was I finally a member of the Fury family, but so was Dani.

It took a few minutes for the guys to give her up, and I got a chance to talk to her again. “Sorry if they were overwhelming.”

She smiled. “It’s actually pretty great to be so welcomed. I read online that there are girls that are actually called jersey chasers, and I was nervous they would think I was just chasing after you.”

“They know you’re out of my league.”

She laughed then paused. “Was that another sport’s pun?”

I nodded. “Not my best.”

She put her arms around my waist. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I woke up in Mexico, and now I live in a city I’ve never even visited before, hanging out in the training room of an NHL team. This doesn’t just happen to people.”

I shrugged. “It’s happened to a lot of them, actually.”

She smiled. “I’ve heard a few of the stories. They told me about Jason and Taylor. I’m grateful I’m not the only one to pack up and move here with a moment’s notice.”

“At least there are two crazies now.”

She scrunched her nose. “How long does training last?”

“Normally a couple of hours,” I replied.

“Then I should let you get back to it. I’ll see you at dinner?” she asked.

“Yeah, get settled, and let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’ll see you later.”

I nodded, but she paused. “I can’t believe this is real life.”

At least we were both in shock about the situation.

I kissed the top of her head, and she left with Chloe and Sydney. I expected teasing from the guys, but they mostly congratulated me before we got back to work. I was more than a little distracted for the rest of the circuit, not that anyone said anything. Half the guys were too tired to care, and the other half were discussing what pizza they were going to get.

I’d only been to the Pie with them a few times. I felt guilty about leaving my mom alone to do it more than that, but I’d heard all the stories. That was their favorite place to cram all together, and the restaurant even kept their back room open for them so their noise and eating competitions didn’t bother the other guests.

It was ridiculous, but I was a little nervous. This was a first for me and Dani. I didn’t want to count this as our first real date either, since it was Lance who’d asked her to come. Sure, we’d spent time alone in Mexico, but we’d been in a bubble there. It wasn’t quite real life.

Now things were different. This was our beginning. It was our chance to see if we had what it took to survive as a couple with both of us working and not living a hundred yards away.

We’d already been through a lot. She helped me grieve my mother, and I was there through her losing her job. Some couples took years to experience anything like that. So we were ahead, right?

There was probably a blog or book or podcast for me to get answers to all my uncertainties, but I was looking forward to figuring it out with her. We made a good team, and I was surprisingly confident we would make it.

This was new for the cynic in me. I thought it would be more uncomfortable, but believing in us was easy. I could see us beating the odds.

On our way out, Mikey and Lance stopped me. “We’ll see you tonight, right?” Mikey asked.

“Of course,” I answered.

Lance grinned. “I know this is cheesy, but I’m really glad you came to Mexico, and we got to know you.”

“Aw, you’re going to make him blush,” Mikey said and clapped Lance on the back.