Page 26 of The Do-Over Girl

He snorts, and we walk to the gate of the practice rink. “Go rouse the guys. Tell them I want them on the ice in the next thirty seconds, or they’ll be skating gassers, and when they’re done, I’ll have them running up and down the stands barefoot.”

Rink blows out a whistle and grins. “Yes, sir, Coach.”

Once he’s gone, I step onto the ice and glide. Looking up at the rafters, I imagine I can see the red bra hanging that me and Rink threw up there after the last game of our junior year to celebrate the loss of his virginity.

Of course, he took it down because the girl in question—who ended up being his wife—insisted on threat of dismemberment. The grin on my face stretches as I skate around, feeling the cool breeze, and enjoying the sight of the familiar old boards and green cement walls surrounding the practice rink.

Now, I feel like I’ve come home. I haven’t been to my family’s old house because that’s no longer home with my parents living down in Florida now. But this rink is my true home, the place that never changes and never fails to make me feel like anything is possible.

The peace of my solitude snaps as I hear the guffaws of the guys and feel their energy and excitement as they take the ice, calling out to me. Almost every single guy on the team made it in today. Dylan was first to arrive, and the fact that I didn’t need to strong arm him to put in extra time bodes well for his likelihood of success. One more reason to feel optimistic.

“You’re on the ice. You going to scrimmage with us?” Dylan’s enthusiasm lights his face.

“We’ll see how it goes. Depends on how well you reprobates do—how much effort you give me today.”

They all register their buy-in for the deal with boisterous voices and whistles. My adrenaline pumps, and I know I’m ready. The workout is exactly what I need.

Also, I didn’t mention to Archie or anyone, but I need to get into shape if we’re going to have an NHL retiree game—because hell if I’m not going to play in it myself.

I especially haven’t mentioned my plan to Kali. Yet. I need to be sure I can handle it. One exhibition game with a bunch of old NHL guys won’t kill me, right?