Page 24 of Off the Post

I glance down at my watch. “Okay!” I say cheerfully. “Let’s move along. Shall we?”

Soren touches the arm I have extended toward the set.

“Ali, could I ask a favor?”

And my imagination runs wild.

His hand leaves my arm, but the heat still sizzles along my skin, radiating down to the very marrow of my being.

“Of course. Unless you want to change your scene, that is. I’m afraid we’re pretty much locked and loaded for this one.” I stab my thumb over my shoulder.

This earns me a deep rumble of a chuckle. “Nein. No.” He shakes his head firmly and then clears his throat and continues. “Since my family is here—my brother’s family,” he adds for clarification, “I thought it would be nice if the photographer could get a few family shots? Would that be okay?”

If it’s one thing in the world I hate doing, it’s disappointing anyone.

Saying no to Soren, especially when he asked with such sweet earnestness, would make me feel awful. On the other hand, we are already pushing against the clock today, and I’m not sure we’ll have the time.

“I can’t promise anything... ” I say, giving him a look. “But I’ll ask Joelle and we’ll try.”

“Danke.” Soren gives a brisk nod and we both head toward the set. While he gets into place for January, I start checking February and March’s backdrops so Joelle can transition smoothly between setups.

All the while, I try to keep my head in the game and not fantasize about doing wild things with the half-naked goalie I just lathered up.

The one I can still feel under my fingertips.

12

Soren

The time with my family has gone by in a blur, including what feels like a year’s worth of activity packed into just a mere fourteen days.

I guess that’s because, in essence, it is a year’s worth.

It breaks my heart to have such limited time with the kids. But as Heinrich and Clara get older, more of their days are spent on new activities and their friends.

My hockey career has always dictated my personal life outside of the sport. While some of my teammates have been successful at it, it takes time to build a relationship with a woman and start a family. There’s also the part where I’d need to find a woman to connect with. Someone who gets me.

Until then, my focus has been on becoming the best goaltender I can be, which requires staunch commitment to my game.

I’ve come to accept that I don’t have the emotional depth to have a romantic connection or commitment to another human.

These summers I spend with Anna and the kids is the most I have to offer them.

And now, that means Heinrich and I are playing a rousing game of water football in my pool while Anna and Clara are out shopping one last time before they all leave tomorrow night for home.

“Incoming!” This is the only warning we get before Rossy cannonballs into the water between Heinrich and me.

A massive eruption of water douses me, splashing through the pool and over the sides of the pool deck. A quick check over to Heinrich to make sure he’s okay and I’m greeted by a huge grin on his face, his hair dripping wet from the deluge. The sound of Heinrich’s laugh produces a sharp pain in my gut.

I won’t get to hear it for a while after this.

Rossy’s wet head pops up from the depths, water flooding over his eyes and down his face. I splash him with my hand, and he spits out water through his toothy smile.

“Dude, you’re a fucking dick,” I grouse, flipping him off as he shakes his head like a wet dog. Heinrich snickers at my snarky comment. “That was a shithead thing to do. There are others in this pool, you know.”

Rossy slaps his palms on top of the waterline. “You know what they say… if you don’t want to get wet, don’t come to the pool party when Rossy’s around!”

My gaze darts between Heinrich and my juvenile teammate and friend, and I shake my head incredulously. “This isn’t a party and you weren’t even invited, Dummkopf.”