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Hockey season meant not splitting my focus by getting involved with women. The occasional hook up to relieve pressure, sure, but never anyone I knew. Too much risk of a distraction. Eva was already going to be hell on my system, I absolutely couldn’t add sex into the mix.
My phone buzzed as I finished making excuses to my dick. I checked the screen and groaned at the name. Carter was an agent and a family friend, in that order. Even after the scandal, he stood by me. I hadn’t officially signed with him because of college sports restrictions, but he offered regular guidance, whether I wanted it or not.
Carter: Just talked to Dallas.
Me: Anything new?
Carter: They want to see TU in the playoffs this year.
Me: We will be.
Carter: Even better if you win. They’re still hedging.
Me: It was 3 yrs ago. I’ve been staying under the radar since.
Carter: That’s the problem. You’re laying too low.
Me: I’m doing what you told me.
Carter: Now I’m telling you something different. Dallas wants to see what you can do with an underdog team. So stop holding back.
I gritted my teeth and shoved my phone in my pocket before I followed his advice by telling him to go fuck himself. Dallas almost dropped me because I was too much of a risk, and now they wanted me to stop playing it safe?
Sometimes I wondered if all the bullshit was worth the payoff.
Mom’s voice popped into my head like it always did when I started feeling doubts.Do what you love, baby, and don’t let anyone take it away from you. Not even yourself.She’d told me that when I’d been nervous about living with strangers in another state to play Juniors hockey. I sometimes wondered if she’d give me the same advice knowing what it would cost me—and them.
Fuck, all the stress was getting to me. I needed to get some sleep, alone, and get my head on straight, just like I’d told the team this morning. With any luck, Eva would be gone from the house doing whatever she did during the day, and I could take a nap before starting the homework I hadn’t paid attention to in class.
Ten minutes later, I cursed as I had to street park in front of my house. A moving truck was taking up the driveway, and three big guys in coveralls were talking to Cole. I slammed out of my car, already prepared for battle, but Cole took one look at my face and headed me off before I could get past the sidewalk.
“Where’s Eva?” I demanded.
Cole held up both hands. “Not here. She asked me to handle the movers.”
At least one thing was going right today. “How much longer are they going to be?”
“They’re almost done, the fridge is stocked with basics and premade meals, and the duck is sleeping in my room with the door closed. I’m handling it. Go get some food before you tear off someone’s head.”
I grumbled at the lack of anything to be pissed about and sidestepped Cole. “I’m grabbing a nap. I’ll eat after.”
“She’s not the enemy, you know,” he called after me.
I didn’t bother turning around. “Don’t care.”
Cole’s laugh followed me into the house.
8
Operation Naked Hockey Ass was officially on hiatus. I’m not ashamed to admit I turned on my heel the second I saw Gavin and fled Wildcat Coffee. Then I avoided him for a full week. How? Through extensive and flagrant exploitation of my friendship with Cole.
Gavin, for his part, didn’t seem too eager to search me out. I made sure the boys had food and the house was clean, as per our deal, so he had no reason to talk to me. Certainly, he had no reason to lie to me again about his practice time.
And yet, the only words he’d said to me all week were to inform me I needed to move my car so they could go to practice this morning. Standing outside Wildcat Coffee, staring in the window at Gavin’s profile as he flirted with the redhead next to him, I shook my head. Why?
What was the point of convincing me he was going to practice then coming to work here?
Instead of marching in there and demanding answers, I got back in my car and drove to the athletic center. There was a vending machine with woefully subpar cappuccino on the administration floor, and I had cheer practice in twenty minutes.
