Page 43 of Put a Rink on It

“End of the season, like I told you,” I chime in before Marina can contradict it.

“Right. After the playoffs. Can’t ruin the mojo or tempt fate.” Sarcasm leaks into every word, but the guys don’t pick up on it or ignore it.

Novak steps closer to the phone. “Is the guest list finalized?”

“Nope.” She doesn’t even have to lie.

“So there’s room for us?”

“I’m sure we can find a spot for you. Long as you don’t mind the Minnesota players already on the list.”

Man, she’s good at spinning a tale out of her ass. Also, I wish I had my notebook to take notes. No way I’m remembering all this.

“Burn,” Rancourt boos.

“That’s not his team anymore.”

“He played with them for eight years. You think they won’t be invited to the man’s wedding? I think someone took one too many pucks to the head.”

I grab the phone from the bench and hurry out of earshot before she says something we can’t come back from.

“Harsh, Ships.” I snigger, taking it off speaker and putting the phone to my ear.

“Nero! How do you get yourself into these situations? Better yet, how do you get me into them?”

“Later.” I run my fingers through my still-wet hair, not prepared to dig any deeper holes. “Tell me why you called.”

She huffs, not satisfied with my change of subject. “I’m home.”

“Thanks for letting me know. How was the ride?” I lean against the wall in the empty hallway, hoping it stays that way for a little while.

“Fine. Raul is a nice guy.”

No pang of envy infiltrates my chest because I’ve met him, and I agree with her assessment. Plus, he’s at least our parents’ age and very much happily married.

“Glad you enjoyed your time with him.”

“Guess what I forgot to do?”

“What?”

“Leave my ring with you to get sized. As much as I don’t want to take it off, I don’t want to lose it. We need to make plans to get it back to the store. The sooner the better.”

“What in the heck is on your finger?” Juliet’s voice filters over the line, shock evident in her words.

“Ettie. What are you doing here?” Marina’s diction pitches higher and is fraught with anxiety. “I better go.”

“Don’t you dare hang up, Marina.”

CHAPTER 14

marina

Shit.

Juliet stands in my apartment, appalled shock on her expression, her eyes darting between the ring on my finger and my face, trying to understand what she’s seeing. Her mouth open, she can’t form more words.

In my ear, Nero demands, “Put it on speakerphone.” Growled, like when he told me not to hang up.