Page 81 of Taking Sides

“Yes,” he replies with no other explanation.

Besides the master, an office, and a bedroom he converted into a home gym, the remaining two rooms were only ever used for storage. It seems things have changed since I left.

“I’m going to go for a bike ride before I head back to the rink,” Victor says, resting a hand on the banister.

“Oh.” I fight a flicker of disappointment. “Already? I thought we’d have a little time today before dinner with Dad.”

“About that . . .” Victor trails off. A look of regret crosses his face, but he smooths it out quickly.

“He canceled?” I guess as I pull Bella onto my lap and continue petting her.

“Something came up, but he rescheduled the reservation for Saturday night.”

I don’t bother noting that I came a day early specifically because my father said it worked better for him. It isn’t Victor’s fault, and he’s bailing on him too.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. Maybe we can order dinner in,” Victor says.

“Sure.”

Without another word he heads up the stairs.

I look at Bella. “Looks like it’s just me and you.”

TWENTY-ONE

On Friday morning, I get back to Victor’s house after a short run with Bella. She’s in way better shape than I am. She pulls on the leash to get to the front door, and my trembling legs can barely keep up.

“Slow down, girl.” I pull open the front door and the whoosh of air-conditioning hits my face, and I let go of the leash.

I follow her, much slower, to the kitchen. I need a gallon of water and a second breakfast, then my plan is to watch daytime TV and snuggle with Bella. She is the cuddliest dog on the planet.

Only there’s someone in the kitchen.

I come up short when a waiflike blond woman turns and smiles at me. “Oh, hi,” she says in a sweet, melodic voice.

“Hi?” I look around for some explanation of her presence. “Is Victor back from practice already?”

“No.” She shakes her head. The movement makes the short strands dance around her face. She’s tall and slender with a round face and huge blue eyes. “I’m sorry I startled you. Your brother said you were visiting, but when I came in and didn’t see anyone, I assumed you went with him to the rink. I’m Alexis.”

Bella wiggles at her side. Alexis absently squats down to pet my brother’s dog.

“You’re his new assistant.”

“I prefer professional hockey player wrangler.”

I stare at her for a moment. Is she for real?

She laughs. “I’m kidding. Yes, sorry, I’m Victor’s awkward new assistant. Well, not new; I suppose it’s been almost two months now.”

I join her, letting out a small chuckle, and step into the kitchen with her. “You weren’t what I was expecting.”

“No?” She moves to a cabinet and pulls out a glass. “It’s my first assistant gig, so I suppose I’m still learning.”

Alexis fills the glass with water from the front of the fridge and then sets it down in front of me.

“Thanks.” I still eye her cautiously but take a long drink of the cool water. “I thought you were a referral.”

I wince at how that sounded. “Sorry. It’s not an interrogation. I promise. I thought you’d been an assistant for another player on the team.”