Page 29 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

“Girlfriend duty implies this, but I was already coming anyway,” she says softly.

“You’re a good coach.”

“Thanks.” She tosses me another puck.

I catch it on the end of my stick, flip it in the air, and aim for the net, making the shot.

“Look at you, superstar.” She claps and does a hip shimmy.

“Seriously, though, we made more ground in an hour than I have in the last five solo sessions I’ve booked. You saw the issues right away.”

Fee leans against the boards while I practice taking more shots. “I’ve spent an extraordinary amount of time in arenas not playing hockey. I used to take Callie to her after-school practices, especially during my senior year of high school, when we moved to Toronto and Lexi got the coaching job with the Terror,” she explains.

I pause and focus on her. “So it was more because you had to and less that you wanted to?”

She shrugs. “I didn’t mind. When I was young, my mom would be there, and she’d help me with homework, and it was a chance to spend time together, but after my parents died…” She swallows thickly and glances away for a moment. “I had to step in because Lexi basically became a single parent who was also coaching a pro hockey team.”

“That must have been hard on all of you.”

“Sometimes it felt impossibly heavy,” Fee confides. “Callie was so young, Lexi went from sister to parent, and I helped where I was needed.” She smiles, but it’s sad. “Anyway, lots of time in an arena means I know a ton about hockey even though I don’t play, so my being your fake girlfriend comes with added perks.”

I want to tell her that this isn’t fake for me, but what if she doesn’t feel the same? I risk making things awkward. Especially we’re talking about what and who she’s lost.

“You know I care about you, right? You’re important to me beyond a label.” I want to be honest, but this isn’t the time. I skim the back of her hand, offering comfort instead. “I’m really sorry you lost your parents, Fee. I’m here for you, however you need me.”

Her smile softens. “Thanks. I’m lucky to have Lexi, and Roman is like…such a good guy. It doesn’t fill the hole, but it helps.”

I close my fingers around hers. “You can talk to me about it, you know?”

She blinks a few times and nods. “It just gets me up in my feels.”

“C’mere.” I tug her closer and wrap my arms around her.

“You’re going to make my feelings leak out of my eyes if you’re not careful.”

“Tears don’t scare me, sharks though…”

She laughs and I squeeze her. “Seriously, I’m not afraid of feelings.” Just about being honest when it comes to mine.

Fee links her hands behind my back and settles her cheek on my chest. “I love your hugs.”

“They’re yours whenever you want them.” And so am I.

CHAPTER 12

FEE

Islap my thighs. “Why don’t we make some popcorn?”

Cammie and Chase take a three second break from their excessive PDAing.

“You make the best popcorn! Can I have mine with cheese seasoning, please?” Annnnnd Chase is back to kissing her neck.

“Sure.” I turn to Mac. “Wanna help?”

“Absolutely.” His nod is exceptionally enthusiastic, even for a self-proclaimed popcorn lover.

Seems like we both need a break from their hormones. “Cool.”